MDC-Alliance sent some of its members for military training
in some southern African countries ahead of the July 30 harmonised elections
and the recent outbreak of fires in several cities could be the work of such
forces, MDC-T spokesperson Ms Linda Masarira said yesterday.
Posting on her Twitter handle @lilomatic in the wake of a
fire outbreak at Siyaso market in Magaba, Harare, yesterday, Ms Masarira said
some unruly elements from MDC-Alliance were trained by Serbians in some unnamed
southern African countries.
“Could this be the work of some unruly elements who went
for training by the Serbians in neighbouring southern African countries during
the election period,” she posted.
In another tweet, Ms Masarira said: “Kadoma Edgars and
surrounding buildings in Kadoma town gutted by fire a few minutes ago. Glen
View house furniture industry was gutted by fire as well earlier today. The
frequency of these fires is mind-boggling. It seems like there is a deliberate
planned dilemma action going on,” said Ms Masarira.
Her tweets followed the outbreak of fire at Mpilo Hospital
in Bulawayo, Glen View 8 Complex in Harare, Edgars and Jet Stores in Kadoma,
and yesterday’s conflagration at Siyaso Market that destroyed property and six
vehicles.
Asked to elaborate on the Serbian training issue, Ms
Masarira said she would divulge more details in due course.
The MDC-A is known to have a uniformed outfit called the
Vanguard led by its deputy youth chair Mr Shakespeare Mukoyi.
The Vanguard members entertained supporters with military
drills at Mr Chamisa’s rallies in the run-up to elections.
MDC-A recently announced that the outfit had been
disbanded, but the party leader Mr Chamisa recently certificated its members
during their 19th anniversary celebrations at Gwanzura Stadium.
During the burial of Mr Tsvangirai in Buhera, members of
the Vanguard threatened to torch a hut that was housing then vice president Dr
Thokozani Khupe and other senior party members who were opposed to Mr Chamisa’s
bid for the party presidency.
On August 1, MDC-A leaders addressed party supporters at
Harvest House in Harare urging them to go and defend their votes by marching in
the streets, resulting in the death of six people.
President Mnangagwa launched a Commission of Inquiry into
the events of August 1, and the Commission is currently seized with unravelling
the matter.
Harare-based political commentator Mr Tafadzwa Mugwadi
said:
“These sentiments coming from a person in the rank and file
of the opposition should not be taken lightly in the face of fire outbreaks
which by all standards can never be judged as spontaneous. There is reasonable
suspicion that these are well choreographed acts of arson and banditry that are
reminiscent of the arson attacks that were orchestrated by the democratic
resistance committees some decade ago.
“That the MDCs have been training elements on acts of
sabotage and banditry in some neighboring countries and overseas is no longer a
matter of speculation but one that needs serious investigation. These fires
should be looked in the same context with August 1 events and those behind such
acts would always want the public to think they are spontaneous tragedies yet
they are well-planned.
“If one looks at the businesses that have been affected,
there is little doubt that this was well rehearsed and strategically planned
since most of the indigenous operators in these sites such as SiyaSo and
GlenView Area 8 are allegedly pro government given that they are beneficiaries of
the indigenisation and economic empowerment initiatives,” Mr Mugwadi said.
Mr Alex Taguma also of Harare concurred saying Ms
Masarira’s expose could shed light on the events of August 1 that culminated in
the fatal shooting of six protesters.
‘’The Commmission of inquiry into August 1 is seized with
the question of who shot the protesters. The MDC-A is known to have ex-Selous
Scout elements in its rank and file and I would not put it past them to
masquerade as soldiers in uniform. Government needs to investigate this,’’ he
said.
MDC Alliance spokesperson Mr Jacob Mafume denied the
allegations accusing Ms Masarira of hallucinating.
“If Linda Masarira has said that, then she is hallucinating
and has probably taken in some dangerous drugs,” he said.
“Everyone in the know is clear about what caused the fire
and a quick check with the fire brigade will produce the answers. This idea of
trying to criminalise another political party through simply because of policy
failures by the current government to regulate society in a meaningful manner
that avoids such man-made disasters is laughable were it not tragic. In fact,
if Linda said that, then she has an evil heart, a sinister mind and should go
for cleansing before she drives herself mad,” said Mr Mafume.
Ms Masarira hit back with another tweet saying, ‘’Those who
were trained are silent because they know they are in deep trouble. Only the
ignorant diaspora based followers are making jokes about it on Zwitter. Anyway
investigations are already underway and the culprits will surely be brought to
book,’’ she said. Herald
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