News / Regional
Two Zanu-PF youths disrupt MDC-T rally
14 Mar 2013 at 06:00hrs | Views
Violence reared its ugly head yesterday afternoon when two youths clad in Zanu-PF regalia, one of them wielding a knife, gatecrashed an MDC-T rally that was being addressed by party secretary-general Tendai Biti.
The actions of the two apparently provoked MDC-T youths who immediately sought to violently eject them from the meeting.
Biti had to restrain youths from his party from descending on the two youths after police providing security at the venue appeared to have failed to stop the intruders from attacking a woman at the rally.
One of the youths identified as Blessing Chikwira, who was wielding a silver homemade knife, had the weapon wrested from him by an MDC-T supporter as he charged into the crowd.
His colleague charged towards journalists who were taking pictures of the attack and threatened to assault them. He stopped after he was injured by a stone that had apparently been thrown from the crowd.
The youth, who was bleeding from the head injury, however, continued with his attack on journalists who were taking pictures.
All the while police appeared reluctant to act and watched while the youths continued to hurl insults at MDC-T supporters.
They later jerked into action and the injured youth was taken away in an unmarked kombi. The police then moved to recover the knife and arrest Chikwira. When contacted for comment, Midlands Province assistant spokesperson Assistant Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko professed ignorance over the incident.
"I am not yet aware of the incident as I am on my way to Shurugwi. Once I verify at the earliest opportunity, I will get back to you," he said.
Commenting on the incident during the rally, Biti said the scene reflected the violent nature of Zanu-PF whose legacy, he said, could be traced to the alleged murder of Christpowers Maisiri, Tonderai Ndira and other MDC-T members.
"These are evil spirits which have a habit of coming out when people are gathered. These spirits portray the violent nature of Zanu-PF, but as MDC we will not be drawn into violence. Let's not attack them," he said.
The actions of the two apparently provoked MDC-T youths who immediately sought to violently eject them from the meeting.
Biti had to restrain youths from his party from descending on the two youths after police providing security at the venue appeared to have failed to stop the intruders from attacking a woman at the rally.
One of the youths identified as Blessing Chikwira, who was wielding a silver homemade knife, had the weapon wrested from him by an MDC-T supporter as he charged into the crowd.
His colleague charged towards journalists who were taking pictures of the attack and threatened to assault them. He stopped after he was injured by a stone that had apparently been thrown from the crowd.
All the while police appeared reluctant to act and watched while the youths continued to hurl insults at MDC-T supporters.
They later jerked into action and the injured youth was taken away in an unmarked kombi. The police then moved to recover the knife and arrest Chikwira. When contacted for comment, Midlands Province assistant spokesperson Assistant Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko professed ignorance over the incident.
"I am not yet aware of the incident as I am on my way to Shurugwi. Once I verify at the earliest opportunity, I will get back to you," he said.
Commenting on the incident during the rally, Biti said the scene reflected the violent nature of Zanu-PF whose legacy, he said, could be traced to the alleged murder of Christpowers Maisiri, Tonderai Ndira and other MDC-T members.
"These are evil spirits which have a habit of coming out when people are gathered. These spirits portray the violent nature of Zanu-PF, but as MDC we will not be drawn into violence. Let's not attack them," he said.
Source - newsday
