By Nyashadzashe Ndoro | Nehanda Politics |
MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa has remained defiant in his community engagement in Masvingo despite several violent interruptions he faced from overzealous Zanu PF supporters.
On Monday, Chamisa visited Masvingo province with plans to meet community leaders and mobilise supporters ahead of 2023 harmonised elections.
During his first visit, Chamisa escaped attacks at roadblocks mounted by suspected Zanu PF supporters on his way to pass condolences to the family of the late MDC veteran politician Joseph Mutema of Mutaruse Village under Chief Charumbira.
Two of Chamisa’s vehicles including the one where he was a passenger had windscreens shattered by people who threw stones. Five MDC Alliance officials were injured in the attack.
On Tuesday, Zanu PF youths tried to block him from addressing supporters in Chivi and Chiredzi. But against this background, the main opposition leader said he felt strong support from the communities he visited so far.
“I’m so energized by the solid support here as I continue this Communities and Citizens Interface, a tour of rural parts of Zimbabwe. I had meetings in Chivi, Ngundu, Mwenezi, Chingwizi & Rutenga. Zanu PF tried disrupting but failed. The message is #NgaapindeHakeMukomana Thank you Zimbabwe!” Chamisa wrote on his Twitter handle.
The MDC Alliance says its leader was safe after his convoy came under violent attack in Masvingo province and vowed to continue with its tour.
“He left the scene of the attack unharmed. We thank all our provincial members for standing ready to defend the president and the party. No amount of intimidation or abuse will stop the tour from continuing,” the party said.
Zanu PF acting Political Commissar Patrick Chinamasa has since accused Chamisa of provoking its supporters to attack him and his team by trying to address them.
“What I heard happened in Masvingo was that the opposition leader wanted to force himself on an audience which did not want to listen to him,” Chinamasa said.
“He had no right to force people to listen to him. He had a right to address people but only those who were willing to be addressed by him,” Chinamasa bizarrely claimed. Nehanda Radio
