MDC-T youth chair’s house razed down in suspected political arson

MDC-T Masvingo provincial youth chairman Philip Chingini reportedly lost property worth about $9 000 when his grass-thatched hut and fowl run went up in flames last Wednesday in a suspected arson attack involving Zanu PF activists.

Source: MDC-T youth chair’s house razed down in suspected political arson – NewsDay Zimbabwe August 29, 2016

By Tatenda Chitagu

Chingini, from Zimano Village under Chief Nerupiri said the attack was reported at Nerupiri Police Station under RRB number 2758755.

Masvingo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Charity Mazula could not be reached for comment as her phone was switched off.

The MDC-T leader claimed that the suspects came when most family members were away, save for his 13-year-old daughter who was sleeping in one of the huts.

“My mother had visited me at my workplace in Chiredzi and my daughter was sleeping alone on the fateful night. At around 11:30pm, she said she heard footsteps of about two people who first knocked on her door, she did not open,” he said.

“They then went on to another hut where they torched it. They also torched my fowl run, leading to loss of four goats and 16 chickens. My daughter was afraid to come out.”

Chingini said Zanu PF youths were behind the attack after he successfully organised an MDC-T demonstration in Masvingo this month, which was attended by party president Morgan Tsvangirai. However, Zanu PF provincial chairperson Amasa Nhenjana distanced his party youths from the alleged arson.

“I have not heard of the incident, but I don’t think our party members were involved. What would they envy from the MDC-T member?” Nhenjana asked.