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The following are excerpts from an interview MDC-T deputy secretary-general, Mr Elton Mangoma, had with NewZimbabwe.com following a physical attack on him by party members on Saturday.Mr Mangoma alleges MDC-T leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai yelled to the mob to “catch” him just before the assault.
“I was left with a bloody nose, broken spectacles and a tattered shirt. The attack happened after the meeting ended at about 1700 hours. Alert to the possibility of violence, we had agreed that I would emerge from the building by Tsvangirai’s side and depart in the leader’s vehicle in order to avoid disturbances.
“But once we emerged from the building, I realised that Tsvangirai was, somehow, no longer by my side. I was then attacked while he watched and he certainly did nothing to discourage the mob. My sense was that he had prior knowledge that there would be violence.
“This is a very disappointing development; even Zanu-PF does not set party supporters to beat up its leaders. The attack shows that we are dealing with very desperate and, therefore, very dangerous people; people who cannot respond to ideas with ideas – they resort to violence instead.
“The MDC is supposed to be a democratic -not a fighting party. We should be tolerant and accepting of criticism and divergence of views. You can’t turn violent mobs against your colleagues.
“This was clearly a meeting organised to deal with Mangoma. It was called to beat up people and this was clear when everyone appeared to have been coached to demand that Mangoma and his group ‘must be dealt with’.
“Tsvangirai also stoked tensions by claiming, during the meeting, that I wanted to take over his position when my letter to him makes no such claim.”
Online Reporter