MDC warns its supporters to be vigilant

By Tichaona Sibanda
20 August 2007

The MDC has warned its officials and supporters to be vigilant following a new wave of violence by Zanu (PF) youths.

Zanu PF youths recently unleashed an orgy of violence in Muzarabani in Mashonaland central. A number of MDC officials were severely assaulted and left hospitalised. MDC national youth chairman, Thamsanqa Mahlangu said a number of their activists are still hospitalised in Bindura and Harare after Zanu (PF) youths stormed a district meeting of their party in the area.

Mahlangu urged all youth members of the party ‘to act defensively under attack and to refrain from becoming offensive’ as this would be construed as an attempt to topple a sitting government by force.

‘They have intensified their violence against the MDC and their machinery is now at work. Now that they have realised they have lost so much support following their disastrous pricing policy, they want to intimidate potential voters from exercising their democratic right in next year’s elections. This time it will not work as we have plan B and plan C in place for such eventualities,’ Mahlangu said.

The youth chairman explained that part of the strategy by Zanu (PF) was to target grassroots members of the MDC from branch to district level, as happened in Muzarabani. Since Vice-President Joyce Mujuru addressed a rally there three weeks ago, Muzarabani has been a no-go area for the MDC.

Ging Dhlamini, the organising secretary for Muzarabani, told the Zimbabwe Standard newspaper that scores of MDC members were now in hiding because Zanu (PF) militia and traditional leaders are targeting them. Dhlamini said other MDC activists assaulted during the raid on their meeting included Farai Pambayi (Dambakurima ward chairman), Constance Dzingirai (ward councillor) and Stanford Maramba.

Dhlamini said Zanu youths accused him of being a puppet of the West because he was senior member of the opposition party in the area.

After the attacks the perpetrators told the MDC leaders that they must not leave their homes or report the matter to the police. But Dhlamini managed to escape and reported the assault case at Chadereka Police post. He was told to go and make a complaint in Harare because the officers were afraid of handling the matter.