Chronicle Editor
Harare Bureau
MDC-A youths disrupted business in parts of Chitungwiza yesterday after waging an unsanctioned demonstration, which was, however, promptly put down by police, leading to the arrest of 11 members of the opposition party.
Before being dispersed, mobs besieged several shopping centres in the dormitory town. Witnesses told our Harare Bureau that a group of placard-waving youths began picketing yesterday morning around the Chigovanyika Shopping Centre before barricading roads using rocks and burning tyres. The youths began attacking vehicles, forcing shops and informal businesses to close.
A Zupco bus was also stoned, causing substantial damage to its windscreen. According to witnesses, the violence was seemingly choreographed as it quickly spread to other parts of the town. Yesterday’s violence follows similar incidents by rabble-rousers — suspected to be youths from the MDC-A — around Kamunhu Shopping Centre in Mabvuku on Friday. When our Harare Bureau visited Chitungwiza yesterday, roads leading to St Mary’s were barricaded, while most market stalls at local shopping centres had been abandoned.
A greyish haze from dissipating plumes of burning tyres, which was accompanied by the odd rubbery smell, enveloped some of affected areas. Police had to fire tear smoke to disperse the gathering.
Order was restored by midday when police reinforcements, which included two water cannons, were deployed.
In a statement yesterday, national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the youths had been mobilised by some senior opposition party officials.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police condemns acts of violence by unruly youths who were obviously mobilised to engage in disturbances at Chigovanyika in St Mary’s, Huruyadzo Shops and Zengeza 2 Shops in Chitungwiza this morning (Saturday),” said Asst Comm Nyathi.
He warned members of the public against acts of violence, intimidation or harassment of innocent individuals, groups and businesspersons.
St Mary’s Member of Parliament Job Sikhala professed ignorance that there were any demonstrations in his area, but alleged that police had raided his house in the morning.
“I was never arrested. What happened is I was asked to meet Superintendent Chuma at St Mary’s Police Station. Then I went there and waited for him for two hours and he did not show up, then I left,” he said.
Informal traders who spoke to this publication described the acts of violence as counter-productive.
“They cannot continue doing these things,” said one vegetable vendor, who refused to be identified for fear of victimisation.
A police source, who elected to remain anonymous as he was not cleared to talk to the Press, told our Harare Bureau that on Friday, MDC-A youths allegedly led by Harare East chairperson Prince Mutebuka, Mabvuku youth assembly chairperson Jacob Jackson, one Emmanuel Zeloys Gumbo and Vimbai Ogen marched with a group of around 20 youths towards Kamunhu Shopping Centre.
A fortnight ago, anti-riot police fired teargas to disperse MDC-A youths who engaged in a demonstration during the evening rush hour in the capital. The youths, who had gathered at the party’s Harvest House headquarters, began marching downtown carrying placards. Earlier that day, MDC-A leader Mr Nelson Chamisa had threatened to confront Government during a Press conference at the party’s headquarters.
Online Reporter