Zanu PF youths attack Retired Colonel Makova

via Zanu PF youths attack Retired Colonel Makova 7 October 2014 by Tatenda Chitagu

MASVINGO — Rowdy Zanu PF youths, who were visibly drunk, caused a stir at the party’s provincial co-ordinating committee (PCC) meeting held at Victoria Junior Primary School on Sunday when they staged a protest after the meeting and jeered at Retired Colonel Claudius Makova and even attempted to assault him.

The rowdy youths had to be restrained by other party leaders, before they could lay a hand on Makova, whom they accuse of fanning factionalism in Bikita.

Some Zanu PF youths saved Makova after they restrained the attackers who had charged at him, in an incident witnessed by the Southern Eye.

The rowdy youths wore the party’s regalia, some of it printed with President Robert Mugabe’s face, as they advanced towards the bulky former Bikita legislator, as they sang songs denigrating him.

They were, however, addressed at the end of the meeting by the provincial chairperson, Killian Gwanetsa, where they raised their concerns, which reflected the faction fighting in Zanu PF.

Asked what the bone of contention was, Makova, who seemed oblivious to that he was addressing journalists, accused the youths of having been hired to embarrass him.

“These are no longer Zanu PF members,” he said. “They were expelled from Zanu PF. I know they have been hired and sent to embarrass me.”

Contacted later for comment, Gwanetsa did not reveal the youths’ grievances, saying he was travelling and having cellphone network problems.

“I have network problems, I will call you back in the next 30 minutes,” he said.

He did not call back and his number was unavailable.