Violence Forces Headlands MDC-T Activists to Flee Homes

WASHINGTON DC —  Five families in Headlands, Manicaland Province, say they have fled their homes following what they claim was continued harassment and intimidation by suspected state security agents and Zanu-PF supporters.

The families support Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s Movement for Democratic Change formation, including Shepherd Maisiri, whose 12-year old son, Christpower, lost his life recently in a suspected politically-motivated arson case in the area.

Maisiri and his family have been targets of political violence since 2000.

No-one has been arrested in the case but last week police picked up an MDC T member, Samson Magumura, on allegations he petrol-bombed Zanu-PF member William Chapepa’s homestead.

Magumura appeared before a Rusape magistrate Tuesday. He was remanded in custody until April 5th.

MDC-T provincial chairman, Pishai Muchauraya, told VOA that top Zanu-PF Politiburo member Didymus Mutasa was allegedly the architect of the political violence affecting people in the area.

Interview With Pishai Muchauraya

Mr. Mutasa was not immediately rechable for comment.