Chamisa's MDC investigating countrywide violence

THE opposition MDC is investigating violence, chaos, voter intimidation and allegations of vote buying that have characterised some of its elective congress at lower structures across the country.
This was revealed by party organising secretary Amos Chibaya at a pre-congress press briefing in Harare.

"We however recorded isolated cases of violence but we are happy that no lives were lost, the relevant organs of the party are getting to the bottom of these cases and disciplinary measures will be taken in all offences.

"We want to make emphasis that violence is not part of our culture and as a party we are democrats and will weed out this culture not withstanding that there will be due process and the principle s of natural justice will guide this process," Chibaya told journalists.

Amid reports that one of the opposition party's legislators was involved in a nasty incident in which an activist survived an attemot to run him over with a car, Chibaya said this was also under investigation.

"We have received reports (about Zengeza East) but we have got our internal processes, our security department is busy right now on the ground carrying out investigations so that we get to the bottom of the matter," said Chibaya.

Elections in Kuwadzana, Warren Park, Chitungwiza and wards in some parts of Masvingo were hampered by violence, chaotic scenes, intimidation and allegations of manipulation leading to suspension of proceedings especially youth assembly elections.

"To anyone who was involved in that violence, the party will not hesitate to suspend that person…we are not going to leave any stone unturned. We are going to deal with such characters," the Mkoba MP said.

Elections were temporarily-suspended in St. Mary's Ward 2 after violence broke out.

Former MDC Harare province youth chairperson Jabulani Mthunzi reportedly survived an attempted hit using a car by rival activists allegedly sympathetic to Zengeza East lawmaker Goodrich Chimbaira.

Mthunzi who suffered a broken neck and spinal injuries is currently at admitted at a local hospital.

Chaotic scenes also rocked Magamba Hall in Warren Park constituency.

Reports claim the opposition part is split in the middle with two factions, one in support of current leader Chamisa and another pushing for secretary general Douglas Mwonzora to take over at the May 24 congress.

Chibaya said the venue for the MDC's first congress since the death of founding leader Morgan Tsvangirai will be announced Wednesday after a meeting of the party's national standing committee.