The Movement for Democratic Change-Tsvangirai Member of Parliament for Budiriro Costa Machingauta is battling for his life at a private hospital in Harare after viciously being assaulted by suspected Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front thugs last night.
ZANU-PF has denied that its supporters were involved claiming there was no reason for them to be involved.
MDC-T presidential spokesman Luke Tamborinyoka said in a statement today that Machingauta was assaulted by ZANU-PF thugs at Budiriro shops where he had been called by party members.
He said Machingauta was assaulted after being asked why he was wearing an MDC-T T-shirt.
Tsvangirai who visited Machingauta in hospital today said the assault 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," Tsvangirai said.
The MDC-T and other major opposition parties have vowed not to contest any elections until the government implements electoral reforms.
Tsvangirai is currently on a nation-wide tour to explain to party supporters why the party is boycotting elections.
Zimbabwe is due to hold by-elections to fill 16 seats on 10 June, two created by the expulsion from Parliament of ZANU-PF members and 14 those of former MDC-T members.
Full statement:
Friday, 24 April 2015
Budiriro MP battling for life after Zanu PF assault
President 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 President Tsvangirai had launched a No Reforms, No Election campaign in the nearby Glen View South constituency in the afternoon.
Speaking after visiting the MP, President 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 he 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 President Tsvangirai.
The MDC hopes that the culprits, who are known Zanu PF activists in Budiriro, will be brought to book.
Luke Tamborinyoka
Presidential Spokesperson
Movement for Democratic Change
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