From The Standard, 8 April

MDC activist shot, in critical state

By our staff

An opposition activist was battling for his life at Parirenyatwa Hospital last night after being shot in the chest at his house early yesterday as security agents continue to abduct and torture members of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC). Philip Katsande, a provincial executive member of the MDC, was shot once in the chest by police, The Standard was told yesterday. MDC sources said yesterday police officers came to Katsande’s Budiriro 1 house around 1AM and started smashing windows and doors. Katsande sought refuge in the ceiling. "The police officers started beating up his wife and kids," said the sources, "until they revealed that he was in the ceiling. One police officer fired three shots at him and he dropped to the ground." Katsande, who belongs to the Morgan Tsvangirai faction, was later rushed to Parirenyatwa Hospital where he is receiving treatment under police guard. Katsande’s wife, Agnes, yesterday refused to comment for fear of further attacks from the police. "We are just coming from the hospital to see him, I can only talk if you get permission from him," said the wife before switching off her mobile phone. Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Wayne Bvudzijena was not immediately available for comment yesterday. His mobile phone went unanswered for the better part of the day. MDC spokesperson Nelson Chamisa said their lawyer, Otto Saki, yesterday confirmed he was working on Katsande’s case but was still struggling to locate three other MDC activists, allegedly abducted on the same night.