Violence in Budiriro ahead of by-election

Tererai Karimakwenda
13 May 2006

Violence broke out in Budiriro on Friday as several thousand MDC supporters were leaving a rally addressed by Emmanuel Chisvuvure, the Tsvangirai MDC candidate in the by-election due next week. According to the Tsvangirai MDC information secretary Nelson Chamisa, the crowd leaving the MDC rally was attacked by rank marshals alleged to have been hired by ZANU-PF chef Saviour Kasukuwere. Chamisa said they arrived in 26 commuter omnibuses and began assaulting innocent MDC supporters. He added that their youth eventually managed to repel the attackers, but the police arrested them instead of those perpetrating the violence. 15 people were injured including a 2 ½ year old boy who was admitted to hospital.

But Gabriel Chaibva, the candidate for the Mutambara MDC faction in this Budiriro by-election, gave an entirely different version of what happened on Friday. Chaibva blamed the violence on youth loyal to the MDC candidate Chisvuvure. He said after the rally the youth went to the homes of 2 known ZANU-PF activists and threw stones which caused much damage. Chaibva said Chisvuvure was supposed to have attended a multi-party committee meeting in Budiriro but did not show up. He also accused Chisvuvure youth of pulling down his campaign posters.

Chamisa said he was shocked to hear such allegations and wondered why Chaibva would protect ZANU-PF thugs this way. He also said the violence was documented by police and 7 more of their supporters had been arrested on Saturday. Chamisa said he was concerned about the welfare of their activists in Budiriro because they had just been informed that Vice president Mujuru was now going to hold a rally next to the grounds where MDC president Morgan Tsvangirai will be having his rally on Sunday.