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are allegedly led by Local Government, Urban and Rural Development Deputy Minister Sessel Zvidzai and Gweru Urban legislator Mr Rodrick Rutsvara.
This followed a party rally at Mkoba Stadium that was officiated by party leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai who is also Prime Minister in the Inclusive Government. Police spokesperson Superintendent Paul Nyathi confirmed the clashes on Wednesday.
“We have arrested Paul Mabika (35) who is a member of the MDC-T over intra-party violence allegations in Gweru,” said Supt Nyathi.
“It is alleged that Kenneth Sithole Marekiwa, who is the councillor for Ward Four in Gweru under MDC-T, was holding a secret meeting with fellow party members at house number 2170 Ascot Infill in Gweru at about 7pm on March 3, 2013.
“It is alleged that John Kudamanja, Paul Mabika, Moses Nyikaino and two others who are yet to be identified but confirmed to be MDC-T members went to the house and called Marekiwa outside purportedly to discuss political business.
While outside, Kudamanja grabbed Marekiwa by the collar and assaulted him several times with fists while the other accused stood guard.”
Supt Nyathi said on hearing the noise outside, party members who were in the house where the meeting was being held then rushed out to rescue Marekiwa.
It is alleged that Kudamanja, Nyikaino and the other two accomplices then ran away while Mabika was apprehended. Mabika was then taken to Mutapa Police Station.
“Our inquiries are indicating that the group led by Kudamanja had been organised into groups to guard the MDC-T venue for the rally at Mkoba where party leader Morgan Tsvangirai was to officiate.
“It is alleged the groups had been promised some allowances which they did not receive.
The group is understood to have felt that Marekiwa was given the money but did not share with them but he denies the accusation,” said Supt Nyathi.
He said a manhunt for Kudamanja, Nyikaino and the other two suspects had since been launched. Sources said the clashes were as a result of factional politics in the province.
“There are two factions known as the Masowe and Jatropha. Masowe faction is led by Zvidzai while Rutsvara leads the Jatropha group that was led by the late Patrick Kombayi.
“Those who were holding the secret meeting belong to the Zvidzai faction while those who attacked them belong to Rutsvara,” said a source.
Supt Nyathi reiterated that the police would continue to arrest people who perpetrate politically-motivated violence regardless of their political affiliation, status or social standing.
Several cases of intra-party violence in the MDC-T in Midlands were reported since 2008 ahead of the harmonised election in March between factions allegedly led by the late Gweru-Chirumanzu Senator Kombayi and Mr Zvidzai.
Factional clashes in the MDC-T have also been reported on several occasions throughout the country.
Fourteen MDC-T supporters were arrested last Saturday on allegations of obstructing the course of justice who are accused of obstructing Constable Mercy Munkombwe (32) from the National Highway Patrol Unit while carrying out her duties along the Harare-Bulawayo Road.
The 14 were on their way to Gweru to attend the rally that was addressed by Mr Tsvangirai.
Mr Zvidzai and Mr Rutsvara could not be reached for a comment yesterday.
Online Reporter