HARARE – Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai today visited Budiriro MP, Costa Machingauta, who is battling for life at a Harare hospital following a vicious assault by Zanu PF thugs in the constituency on Thursday night.
The MP had been called by party members at Budiriro shops when Zanu PF thugs asked why he was wearing an MDC T-shirt.
The MDC members tried in vain to explain to the thugs that he was an MP, but the thugs would not listen and began assaulting the party supporters and the MP with fists and iron bars. The MP was seriously injured and a report made at Budiriro 2 police station before Machingauta was driven around midnight for treatment to a private clinic in Harare.
Other MDC members were injured and are seeking treatment and these include Rhodrick Kahuni, Ethel Edward and Handsome Nyoni.
The assault took place after Tsvangirai had launched a “No Reforms, No Elections” campaign in the nearby Glen View South constituency in the afternoon.
Speaking after visiting the MP, Tsvangirai said: “This is barbaric. We are witnessing the emergence of vigilantes in Budiriro just as we saw similar thugs in Mbare.”
The MDC leader said the vicious assault on innocent party members showed that the leopard has not changed its spots and that Zanu PF remains the violent party that it has always been.
“This vindicates our position not to participate in these forthcoming by-elections. Such a toxic environment is totally uncalled for. When you have innocent citizens and an elected MP being viciously assaulted like that, it is cause for concern. I hope Africa and the broader international community are watching,” said Tsvangirai.
The party said it hopes the culprits, who are known Zanu PF activists in Budiriro, will be brought to book.
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