Assaulted MDC-T youth still hospitalised

via Assaulted MDC-T youth still hospitalised – New Zimbabwe 12/11/2015

MDC-T youth leader Rhino Mashaya who was brutally assaulted by suspected Zanu PF activists was Wednesday night still at a private hospital in Harare after he lost four teeth, sustained a deep cut on the head and a broken rib.

Party spokesperson Obert Gutu told New Zimbabwe.com that the other youth leaders, James Chidhakwa (Home Affairs Secretary) and Keith Charumbira (Secretary for Security), were treated and discharged on the same day but, Mashaya remained in hospital as doctors have hinted he might need surgery.

MDC-T youth leaders were assaulted after attending Harare provincial chairperson, Eric Murayi,’s trial in Mbare Tuesday afternoon.

Gutu said the three were attacked with iron bars, clenched fists, boots and “other objects”.

“Our main concern now is that the suspects have not been arrested 24 hours after the assault and police are reluctant to perform their duties yet someone’s life is at risk,” Gutu said.

Gutu said the attack by Zanu PF youths could just be a harbinger of very bad things to come ahead of 2018 elections.

“Zimbabwe has a bloody election ahead of it and we call upon the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the African Union (AU) to take note of what is happening in this country.

“The situation is rapidly deteriorating and SADC and AU should take action before the region is affected by the instability of this country which has seen the ruling party unleash violence on the opposition,” he said.

Meanwhile, Murayi, who is also the MP for for Highfield East, and 16 other members who were arrested Sunday in Harare, were granted $200 bail each Wednesday afternoon and a total of $3, 400 was needed for them to be released by the courts.

The 17 are being charged for contravening Chapter 37 of the Criminal Law Codification Act and Reform Act and participating in an illegal gathering, causing public violence and breach of peace.

Gutu has expressed dissatisfaction over the amount charged as bail, saying it is too excessive and an attempt to harass the party which is penniless at the moment.

National ZRP spokesperson, Charity Charamba, was not answering her mobile phone.