MDC-T activists still held as Mbare flares

via MDC-T activists still held as Mbare flares – New Zimbabwe 10/11/2015

A MBARE magistrate on Tuesday remanded in custody 17 opposition MDC-T supporters who include a sitting lawmaker who are facing political violence charges.

According to party spokesperson Obert Gutu the State is opposing bail.

“The state is opposing bail. That’s why our lawyers had to make a formal bail application on behalf of all the accused persons

“The 17 MDC activists were remanded in custody by the Mbare Magistrates’ Court this (Tuesday) morning.

“A ruling on their bail application will be handed down on Wednesday, November 11, 2015 at 2.30pm,” Gutu said in a short response.

Violent clashes between rival political parties have escalated in recent weeks, leading to MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai to urge his party youths not to “just fold your hands … you must hit back”.

The former Prime Minister was speaking during a rally in Chinhoyi at which Zanu PF youths attempted to disrupt proceedings.

As Tsvangirai spoke police swooped on his supporters in Harare South arresting the 17 for convening an illegal gathering.

The clashes come two weeks after another flash point bin Rusape but as the courts sat to try and adjudicate on those now languishing in prison there was another clash in the volatile suburb of Mbare late Tuesday.

Eyewitnesses said the attack on a group of MDC-T youths who had attended the court hearing of their colleagues had left at least three hospitalised.

The latest attack by suspected Zanu PF youths on opposition activists reportedly took place less than 300 meters from ex-councillor Paul Gorekore’s home in the sprawling neighbourhood.

Gorekore is MDC-T youth provincial chairperson for Harare.

According to the party’s provincial youth secretary Denford Ngadziore, three youths had severe injuries.

“The attack happened after we attended the court session for our members who were arrested on Sunday and after that, the chairman (Gorekore) organized lunch at his place.

“It seems the Zanu PF youths had been monitoring our movements before they pounced and attacked us,” Ngadziore said.

Ngadziore said the injured were Rhino Mashaya the Harare (organizing secretary), James Chidhakwa, (national youth affairs secretary for home affairs) and Keith Charumbira, (youth national secretary for security).

“They are struggling, and are in very bad shape with likely severe head injuries, while Mashaya lost three of his teeth in the melee,” said Ngadziore.