WASHINGTON DC —
The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) formation of former Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai says the party’s secretary general Tendai Biti’s home was petrol-bombed by unknown assailants early Tuesday morning.
Party spokesman Douglas Mwonzora told VOA the bomb landed outside Biti’s security wall, adding police are still investigating the incident.
This is the second time that Biti’s home has been petrol-bombed following an incident in 2011. No arrests were made.
Tuesday’s bombing comes at a time the party is rocked by intra-party factionalism and violence that has seen the arrest of some party members following the assault of deputy treasurer-general Elton Mangoma by some youths two weeks ago.
On Monday, Harare Central House of Assembly member Murisi Zwizwai and MDC elections director were detained by the police in connection with the assault but were later released.
Four more youths accused of taking part in the assault on Tuesday handed themselves over to the police. They are still in custody.
Secretary for security in the party’s youth wing, James Chidhakwa, who was arrested last week on the same charges, was Monday remanded in custody to March 10.
MDC-T spokesman Douglas Mwonzora accused Zanu PF of having a hand in the bombing and the disturbances in his party.
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Interview With Douglas Mwonzora
But Zanu PF spokesman Rugare Gumbo refuted Mwonzora’s allegations that his party is sponsoring the violence in the MDC-T.
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Interview With Rugare Gumbo
Meanwhile, a lawyer representing Mangoma, has dismissed a committee formed by his party’s organizing secretariat to investigate his alleged beating and that of youth assembly secretary general Promise Mkwananzi.
The committee announced Mwonzora is led by Kuwadzana West Member of Parliament Lucia Matibenga.
Mangoma’s lawyer and MDC-T member Jacob Mafume said the move is coming too little too late.
