Gunshots were fired as violence erupted on Saturday at a Zanu PF district meeting in Kwekwe, with supporters of rival factions exchanging blows.
Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi
could not immediately comment on the alleged violence.
“We are yet to get any report. Try tomorrow,” Nyathi said.
But witnesses said several gunshots were fired in the air
at the meeting pitting supporters of aspiring Kwekwe Central MP Kandros Mugabe
against those aligned to his biggest rival, Energy Ncube.
The clashes reportedly started just before the meeting,
which officials said was meant to make inquiries into the recently completed
party district elections.
Zanu PF Midlands provincial spokesperson Cornelius Mupereri
would neither confirm nor deny the clashes yesterday. He repeatedly promised to
give NewsDay a report on what transpired.
Mupereri was yet to make good his promise by the time of
going to print.
“I am in a meeting now. Can you call after an hour so that
I can give you the full report,” he said.
Witnesses said the clashes began when one of the youths aligned to Mugabe allegedly harassed a rival activist who was holding a placard denouncing the aspiring Kwekwe MP, who was described as a G40 member.
“Mari yeG40 irikushanda muKwekwe naKandros muG40,” the
placard read.
Reports from the Midlands city said police had to be called
in to stop the clashes.
In another incident, Zanu PF officials in Mashonaland West
province reportedly traded blows with acting chairperson Abhiya Mujeri
reportedly beaten up as factionalism continues to divide the party.
Provincial secretary for security Tommy Mwanza and another
official were reportedly questioned by the police on the matter before they
were released.
Zanu PF has been rocked by infighting during its on-going
restructuring exercise. Newsday
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