Violence breaks out in Bulawayo over senate campaigns

By Lance Guma
11 November 2005

The Ward Chairman for the MDC in Nkulumane, Samuel Musaka was brutally assaulted by pro-senate youths in Bulawayo on Friday losing all his front teeth. According to the party’s National Executive Member for Bulawayo Province, Gertrude Mtombeni, Vice President Gibson Sibanda’s official driver led the assault. Musaka was ambushed on his way to the central railway station to collect fliers and posters for Morgan Tsvangirai’s Sunday rally at White City stadium.

He was initially questioned by the gang of youths on why he was talking to Tamsanqa Ncube, a former Chairman of the Bulawayo Province Youth leadership. The Vice President apparently dismissed Ncube a few months ago under unclear circumstances. The interrogation on the street was then followed by a mob assault leaving Musaka needing hospital treatment. As is usual practice in Zimbabwe, he first had to get a letter from the police confirming the assault before he could get treatment.

Mtombeni condemned the assault and said there is a clear and deliberate strategy by the pro-senate camp to employ violence in the Matabeleland area. She alluded to a meeting conducted this week at which youths were openly urged to deal with anyone ‘selling out on the cause of the region’. Musaka holds a senior position in Gibson Sibanda’s constituency and is a known Tsvangirai backer. This apparently is what also made him a clear target.