Gunshots at Zanu-PF meeting

Gunshots were fired as violence erupted on Saturday at a Zanu-PF district meeting in Kwekwe, with supporters of rival factions exchanging blows.

Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi could not immediately comment on the alleged violence.

"We are yet to get any report. Try tomorrow," Nyathi said.

But witnesses said several gunshots were fired in the air at the meeting pitting supporters of aspiring Kwekwe Central MP Kandros Mugabe against those aligned to his biggest rival, Energy Ncube.

The clashes reportedly started just before the meeting, which officials said was meant to make inquiries into the recently completed party district elections.

Zanu-PF Midlands provincial spokesperson Cornelius Mupereri would neither confirm nor deny the clashes yesterday. He repeatedly promised to give NewsDay a report on what
transpired.

Mupereri was yet to make good his promise by the time of going to print.

"I am in a meeting now. Can you call after an hour so that I can give you the full report," he said.

Witnesses said the clashes began when one of the youths aligned to Mugabe allegedly harassed a rival activist who was holding a placard denouncing the aspiring Kwekwe MP, who was described as a G40 member.

"Mari yeG40 irikushanda muKwekwe naKandros muG40," the placard read.

Reports from the Midlands city said police had to be called in to stop the clashes.

In another incident, Zanu-PF officials in Mashonaland West province reportedly traded blows with acting chairperson Abhiya Mujeri reportedly beaten up as factionalism continues to divide the party.

Provincial secretary for security Tommy Mwanza and another official were reportedly questioned by the police on the matter before they were released.

Zanu-PF has been rocked by infighting during its on-going restructuring exercise.