News / National
Violence rocks MDC-T provincial congress
11 Oct 2014 at 16:17hrs | Views
Violence once again reared its ugly head within the faction of the opposition MDC-T led by ex-premier Morgan Tsvangirai.
The group was holding its provincial elective congress in Mashonaland West on Thursday when Harare provincial spokesperson and candidate for the party's national information secretary's position in the upcoming congress, Obert Gutu, was reportedly man-handled and humiliated by drunken youths as tempers flared within the teetering opposition party.
Eye witnesses told The Zimbabwe Mail that youths allegedly angered by Gutu's recent comments regarding ‘reptiles' confronted him hurling insults and obscenities.
Gutu confirmed the nasty confrontation, adding that he was disappointed.
"I am a democrat and believe that even with differences of opinion and understanding, there is no need to resort to violence or threats of it. I felt humiliated, vandalised, violated and threatened. Our people must refrain from abusing alcohol during important party processes such as the congress," an exasperated Gutu said.
Party spokesperson Douglas Mwonzora (pictured) claimed he had not witnessed the incident, despite having been in the vicinity.
"Our position as a party is very clear, we do not tolerate violence and anyone who commits such act, in the name of a candidate risks getting that candidate disqualified, and themselves expelled," said Mwonzora.
Gutu attracted the ire of MDC-T elements last week when he used his social networking site Facebook wall to post a message;
"Can anyone out there furnish me with the defining characteristics of a Cobra. I am carrying out a little project on the subject of the anthropology of reptiles," he said.
The posting attracted mixed responses but was widely believed to be an attack on Chamisa who has been given the moniker ‘Cobra', allegedly because of his perceived "deadly political chicanery and ruthlessness".
The former Justice deputy minister did not back-off, instead went on the offensive.
"Some brainless big thugs with brains the size of a pea think that they can intimidate me. Well, well, well, they just don't know that I am made of sterner stuff. They will very soon realise that they have started a war that they will NEVER win. Never. Ever," declared Gutu.
Mwonzora and Chamisa are locked in a tussle for the party's influential secretary general's position ahead of an elective congress set for October 30. Mwonzora has alleged irregularities while, on the other hand Chamisa has been nominated by not less than 11 provincial councils and looks set to take charge.
The group was holding its provincial elective congress in Mashonaland West on Thursday when Harare provincial spokesperson and candidate for the party's national information secretary's position in the upcoming congress, Obert Gutu, was reportedly man-handled and humiliated by drunken youths as tempers flared within the teetering opposition party.
Eye witnesses told The Zimbabwe Mail that youths allegedly angered by Gutu's recent comments regarding ‘reptiles' confronted him hurling insults and obscenities.
Gutu confirmed the nasty confrontation, adding that he was disappointed.
"I am a democrat and believe that even with differences of opinion and understanding, there is no need to resort to violence or threats of it. I felt humiliated, vandalised, violated and threatened. Our people must refrain from abusing alcohol during important party processes such as the congress," an exasperated Gutu said.
Party spokesperson Douglas Mwonzora (pictured) claimed he had not witnessed the incident, despite having been in the vicinity.
"Our position as a party is very clear, we do not tolerate violence and anyone who commits such act, in the name of a candidate risks getting that candidate disqualified, and themselves expelled," said Mwonzora.
Gutu attracted the ire of MDC-T elements last week when he used his social networking site Facebook wall to post a message;
"Can anyone out there furnish me with the defining characteristics of a Cobra. I am carrying out a little project on the subject of the anthropology of reptiles," he said.
The posting attracted mixed responses but was widely believed to be an attack on Chamisa who has been given the moniker ‘Cobra', allegedly because of his perceived "deadly political chicanery and ruthlessness".
The former Justice deputy minister did not back-off, instead went on the offensive.
"Some brainless big thugs with brains the size of a pea think that they can intimidate me. Well, well, well, they just don't know that I am made of sterner stuff. They will very soon realise that they have started a war that they will NEVER win. Never. Ever," declared Gutu.
Mwonzora and Chamisa are locked in a tussle for the party's influential secretary general's position ahead of an elective congress set for October 30. Mwonzora has alleged irregularities while, on the other hand Chamisa has been nominated by not less than 11 provincial councils and looks set to take charge.
Source - Zim Mail
