Violence reared its ugly head in Masvingo today after placard waving Zanu PF members attacked opposition MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa’s entourage damaging vehicles and injuring scores of people who have since been hospitalized.
Chamisa was due to address community leaders in Charumbira village in Masvingo as part of his citizen convergence for change initiative.
According to the MDC Alliance, over 200 Zanu PF members barricaded roads with burning logs before assaulting part of Chamisa’s team members.
“Over 200 youths mobilized by ZANU PF have violently attacked President Chamisa’s convoy and advance team on their way to meet community leaders in Masvingo. They stoned cars, barricaded roads with burning logs and assaulted members of our team who’ve now been hospitalized,” the party said.
Videos shared on social media show hundreds of people waving placards with insulting messages targeted at Chamisa.
Another video showed smashed windscreen and windows of one of Chamisa’s vehicles.
Scores of people were reportedly injured and taken to hospital for medical attention.
Party spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere has condemned the attack on Chamisa saying Zanu was terrified of citizens converging for change.
“The political violence that’s being meted out at President Chamisa’s delegation in Masvingo is cause for concern. Barricading roads with burning logs and chanting hate speech is primitive politics. The regime is terrified of citizens converging for change,” said Mahere.
Meanwhile information secretary Nick Mangwana said the reports of MDC Alliance leader’s attack was stage managed to spoil the stage ahead of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s trip to the United Kingdom where he is set to attend the COP26 summit.
