Zanu (PF) Torch MDC Houses

Political violence in the province has resurfaced ahead of general polls next year.

Solomon Madyazvivi and Enock Makoke, both officials of the former opposition party were left without shelter and lost property worth thousands of dollars after suspected Zanu PF supporters torched their homes in a space of a week.

MDC information department told Radio VOP that Madyazvivi, a secretary for ward 1 in Gutu west, had his home-stead set ablaze on Monday night a few days after Zanu (PF) war veterans had threatened to fix known MDC supporters during a rally.

“I was left homeless after my house was torched. I strongly suspect that Zanu (PF) war veterans and supporters are responsible for this act of violence. A few days before this we heard that war veterans threatened a repeat of the 2008 violence and were targeting MDC officials in the area. I am in real trouble because I lost my property,” said Madyazvivi.

He said his family was leaving in the open at a time the province despite heavy rain down pours.

Makoke, another MDC activist, in ward 29 in the same district, had earlier on lost his huts after being attacked by supporters of their arch rivals in the shaky inclusive government.

MDC spokesperson here Harrison Mudzuri confirmed the incident and blasted Zanu (PF).

“We confirm that two of our activists had their houses torched in a space of a week with the latest incident on Monday night. We have always condemned violence and we are disturbed that it is re-surfacing at a time we are moving towards elections,” Mudzuri said.

Mudzuri said Zanu (PF) should stop intimidating MDC supporters by employing dirty intimidation tactics through violence.

Zanu (PF) provincial chairman, Lovemore Matuke refuted the allegations.

“Zanu PF supporters are not violent and arsonists. We are sick and tired of the MDC guys who always hide behind blaming Zanu (PF) whenever their members are involved in domestic violence. Our members do not set other peoples’ homes ablaze. MDC members are liars and they always want to use our name for silly reasons,” said Matuke.

“Even if they refuse we are 100% sure that they are responsible for the attack of our members. No-one doesn’t know that Zanu (PF) has the culture of violence whenever elections are called. We are going to take up the matter …we want perpetrators to be brought to book,” Mudzuri said.

He said police reports were made although Zanu (PF) members always get way with crime. Police in Masvingo declined to comment.