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against making reckless utterances aimed at fomenting violence ahead of harmonised elections slated for July 31. Mr Madzore — who along with 28 other MDC-T youths, is out on bail for the alleged murder of Police Inspector Petros Mutedza in 2011 — told his party’s star rally at Rudhaka Stadium on Sunday that MDC-T youths were prepared to take up arms and shed blood for the party’s cause during the elections.
MDC-T has been implicated in several violent incidents countrywide that analysts said were designed to not only trash the political environment, but to create self-fulfilling prophecies ahead of the party’s pending defeat in the harmonised elections.
The terror campaign began last year, but was intensified from January, with over 48 cases being recorded countrywide since the beginning of the year.
In all the recorded cases, MDC-T supporters were at the forefront of attacking their colleagues or those from other political parties, especially Zanu-PF.
Journalists were also not spared.
Mashudu Netsianda of Chronicle and Herbert Moyo of The Zimbabwe Independent fell victim to MDC-T thugs in separate incidents in Harare and Bulawayo.
The attacks on journalists followed threats issued by MDC-T leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai, who rapped journalists and media houses that do not toe his party line, saying they had no future in his perceived “new Zimbabwe”.
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Police chief spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba said Mr Madzore was straining the patience of police to its limit.
“Solomon Madzore and indeed others of his ilk are warned that this should be the last time that such and similar utterances meant to incite violence are made,” said Snr Asst Comm Charamba.
“May all political parties and individuals be warned that the ZRP (Zimbabwe Republic Police) will not hesitate to bring to book individuals and/or political party leaders who make statements likely to incite violence at a time when the country is enjoying a peaceful and tranquil environment.”
People like Madzore, said Snr Asst Comm Charamba, make criminal utterances, yet they would be quick to allege that there was selective application of the law when the police move in to arrest them.
Zanu-PF national chairman Cde Simon Khaya-Moyo described Mr Madzore’s statements as irresponsible and uncalled for, particularly at this time when the country is gearing for harmonised elections on July 31.
Cde Khaya-Moyo was speaking during a meeting with Human Rights Watch executive director for Africa, Mr Daniel Bekele, who was accompanied by the Non Governmental Organisation’s Zimbabwean representative, Mr Dhewa Mavhinga.
“Just yesterday (Sunday) we heard MDC-T youth leader calling for war, that we are ready to shed blood and we wondered what blood is there to shed, we have shed enough blood during the liberation struggle, we are now a sovereign state, we freed our country and we are now enjoying peace,” said Cde Khaya Moyo.
It was critical, said Cde Khaya-Moyo, for political leaders to exercise restraint ahead of the elections.
“This is a very serious matter. We never thought anybody would talk of shedding blood, castigating war veterans, that nobody was born a war veteran, the very liberators being castigated publicly, challenging your own liberators,” said Cde Khaya-Moyo.
Mr Bekele also criticised Mr Madzore, saying such utterances were uncalled for ahead of elections.
Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association chairman Cde Jabulani Sibanda said Mr Madzore’s utterances depicted the violent nature of MDC-T.
“We cannot accept terrorism in our country and now that they have said it, we are not alarmed as yet because we know this is backed by activities happening behind scenes,” said Cde Sibanda.
“We are looking forward to a peaceful election and we do not want war in Zimbabwe but if it is caused, the people of Zimbabwe will stand and fight.
“What happened in Libya, Egypt and Syria is a picture of the agenda of the same imperialists who are assisting MDC-T.”
Mr Madzore’s utterances, Cde Sibanda said, came after MDC-T realised they were going to lose in the forthcoming elections.
Zimbabwe Children of Freedom Fighters spokesperson Mr Liberty Bizure said: “President Mugabe has called for peace many times, but for one to agitate for violence at this time is unfortunate and it can be summed that it is a well calculated move bent on causing instability.”
Zimbabwe Entrepreneurs Youth Action president Mr James Pande said the words clearly show that MDC-T contains representatives of Western war mongers.
Online Reporter