The Sunday Mail
Senior Reporter
MDC-A youths disrupted business in parts of Chitungwiza yesterday after staging an unsanctioned demonstration, which was, however, promptly put down by police, leading to the arrest of 11 members of the opposition party.
Before being dispersed, mobs besieged several shopping centres in the dormitory town.
Witnesses told The Sunday Mail that a group of placard-waving youths began picketing yesterday morning around the Chigovanyika Shopping Centre before barricading roads using rocks and burning tyres.
The youths attacked vehicles, forcing shops and informal businesses to close.
A Zupco bus was also stoned, causing substantial damage to its windscreen.
According to witnesses, the violence was seemingly choreographed as it quickly spread to other parts of the town.
Yesterday’s violence follows similar incidents by rabble-rousers — suspected to be youths from the MDC-A — around Kamunhu Shopping Centre in Mabvuku on Friday.
When The Sunday Mail visited Chitungwiza yesterday, roads leading to St Mary’s were barricaded, while most market stalls at local shopping centres had been abandoned.
A greyish haze from dissipating plumes of burning tyres, which was accompanied by the odd rubbery smell, enveloped some of the affected areas.
Police had to fire tear smoke to disperse the gathering.
Order was restored by midday when police reinforcements, which included two water cannons, were deployed.
In a statement yesterday, national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the youths had been mobilised by some senior opposition party officials.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police condemns acts of violence by unruly youths who were obviously mobilised to engage in disturbances at Chigovanyika in St Mary’s, Huruyadzo shops and Zengeza 2 shops in Chitungwiza this morning (Saturday),” said Asst Comm Nyathi.
“The MDC youths were burning tyres and interfering with the smooth flow of traffic in the suburbs.
“The youths went on to shatter a Zupco bus windscreen, while some passengers were attacked, with some losing their cellphones.
“Police moved in and restored order in the area. “Eleven have since been arrested and are in police custody.”
He warned members of the public against acts of violence, intimidation or harassment of innocent individuals, groups and businesspersons.
“Members of the public are, therefore, urged to follow the due process of the law in undertaking various activities.
“Police will not hesitate to effect arrests on anyone who disregards the laws of the country.”
St Mary’s Member of Parliament Job Sikhala professed ignorance of demonstrations in his constituency, but alleged that police had raided his house in the morning.
“I was never arrested. What happened is I was asked to meet Superintendent Chuma at St Mary’s Police Station. I went there and waited for him for two hours and when he did not show up, I left,” he said.
“It’s absolutely nonsense to say that there was a demonstration in St Mary’s. What happened is that the police raided my house at 5am. There was no march that took place. It’s nonsense!”
Informal traders who spoke to this publication described the acts of violence as counter-productive.
“They cannot continue doing these things,” said one vegetable vendor, who refused to be identified for fear of victimisation.
“We have children to feed and when they demonstrate we lose business.”
A police source, who elected to remain anonymous as he was not cleared to talk to the press, told The Sunday Mail that on Friday, a group of 20 MDC-A youths allegedly led by Harare East chairperson Prince Mutebuka, Mabvuku youth assembly chairperson Jacob Jackson, one Emmanuel Zeloys Gumbo and Vimbai Ogen, marched towards Kamunhu Shopping Centre.
“They had in their possession a loud hailer and a camera to record their activities.
“At Kamunhu Shopping Centre they started barricading roads using burning tyres and singing songs insulting the President.
“They dispersed along Tafara Way when they saw police approaching.”
A fortnight ago, anti-riot police fired tear gas to disperse MDC-A youths who engaged in a demonstration during the evening rush hour in the capital.
The youths, who had gathered at the party’s Harvest House headquarters, marched downtown carrying placards.
Some vendors were caught up in the skirmishes and lost their wares.
Earlier that day, MDC-A leader Mr Nelson Chamisa had threatened to confront Government during a press conference at the party’s headquarters.
