MDC rift widens amid more accusations

By Violet Gonda
6 July 2006

The rift between the warring MDC factions deepened Thursday when the Mutambara led camp accused the Tsvangirai led camp of smuggling out of the country some of the people suspected to have assaulted rival opposition officials.
Gabriel Chaibva spokesperson of the Mutambara MDC said in a statement, “Some of the Tsvangirai group’s thugs who are suspected to have been part of the group that brutally attacked the MDC Member of Parliament for Harare North, Trudy Stevenson and four party officials have been smuggled out of the country into South Africa by a top official of the Tsvangirai group.”

The Mutambara MDC claims seven persons amongst the thugs were identified as belonging to the Tsvangirai camp. Officials from the Tsvangirai MDC have denied playing any role in the attack.

It is some of these youth that are said to have been smuggled out of the country. Chaibva claims, “The opposition faction was tipped off by members of the public that a number of people were housed at Eddie Cross’ house in Bulawayo over the night, en-route to a foreign country.”

Chaibva also said that one of the vehicles that the youths used to get away in Mabvuku was found in Bulawayo. He said although Hillside Police were alerted they showed no concern and were uncooperative.
The Tsvangirai MDC has announced the appointment of an independent panel of lawyers and human rights experts to investigate the attack on their opposition rivals.

The group said in a statement that the internal inquiry is chaired by Advocate Happias Zhou and two prominent lawyers, Irene Petras of the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights and Kay Ncube of Gill Godlonton and Gerrans, while Kudakwashe Matibiri is the secretary.

But Chaibva responded to this by saying, “We have stated our position over the so-called commission of inquiry, established by Mr Tsvangirai, that it is a sheer waste of time meant to hoodwink the public. We maintain our position that these acts of banditry are sanctioned by the highest authority of their leadership as is exemplified by their abetting the thugs and creation of safe houses and escape routes. We call upon the Tsvangirai group to take this matter seriously.”

Observers say this is the tragedy of living under a dictatorship and the level of frustration is demonstrated by this recent incident. This has also given the ruling party the chance to further divide the opposition. ZANU PF spokesperson Nathan Shamuyarira was quick to jump at this opportunity and said. "The incident confirms the violent nature of the party."

Meanwhile, Trudy Stevenson is said to be recovering from home after having an operation on Wednesday on her arm. She is reported to have sustained a stab wound to the head, a broken cheekbone and two fractures in one arm. The group say Linos Mushonga who had two broken fingers and Simangele Manyere who was also attacked remain under observation.

We were unable to get through to anyone from the Tsvangirai led faction.