Zimbabwe police say war veteran killed by MDC supporters

Zimbabwe police say war veteran killed by MDC supporters

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By Lebo Nkatazo

ZIMBABWE’S main opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) has been implicated in the murder of a war veteran in Bikita, and a petrol bomb attack on Zanu PF offices in Masvingo in separate incidents.

The state-owned Herald newspaper reported Tuesday that at least four Zanu PF supporters had been serious injured in the attack on Saturday.

President Robert Mugabe insists that the MDC is behind a wave of violence sweeping the countryside. But the opposition accuses Zanu PF supporters of killing at least 52 of its supporters ahead of a presidential election run-off on June 27 pitting Mugabe and MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai.

Police spokesman Asst Comm Wayne Bvudzijena told the Herald that the war veteran, named as Mabiko Mudzingwa, was killed while commissioning a grinding mill at Chigumirisirwa Business Centre in Bikita.

Police said Mudzingwa and other Zanu PF supporters came under attack from 36 MDC supporters armed with axes, machetes and knobkerries. Police have made eight arrests, and among those arrested is the opposition’s councillor-elect for Ward 16 in Bikita East, Peter Takaringofa.

Bvudzijena said the injured – identified as Steven Matare, Judith Bvute, Onias Mutykendimo and Leonard Chibvenyu -- were rushed to Silveira Mission Hospital where they are “battling for their lives”.

Meanwhile, police in Masvingo have arrested another MDC councillor and another MDC official in connection with a petrol bomb attack on Zanu PF offices in Rumwanda Business Centre.
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