Syndication10 huts burnt in Buhera political violence
POLITICAL violence has resurfaced in the restive Buhera District with seven homesteads belonging to Zanu-PF supporters coming under attack and at least 10 huts burnt to the ground in recent weeks.
This is despite efforts by the inclusive Government’s Organ on National Healing and Reconciliation to cool political tension and hostilities stemming from the 2008 harmonised elections.
The latest violence occurred in Buhera North constituency, which is under Zanu-PF’s Cde William Mutomba.
He is the only Zanu-PF legislator in Buhera with the other three seats belonging to MDC-T lawmakers.
Zanu-PF supporters in Rambanapasi Village under Chief Gunguwo Chitsunge say MDC-T followers burnt down their homes.
Chief Chitsunge has urged the political leadership to urgently intervene, while Cde Mutomba has reportedly tried to engage his MDC-T counterparts without success.
Cde Mutomba has also called on the Joint Monitoring and Implementation Committee to urgently visit Buhera North and address the problem that is threatening to get out of hand.
Investigations indicate the acts of arson were all carried out at night in January while the homeowners slept.
MDC-T spokesperson Mr Nelson Chamisa yesterday said he needed time to gather details on what was obtaining on the ground.
When The Herald visited Buhera North on Tuesday, victims were still in a state of shock and the charred remains of their homes dotted the village.
Village head Mr Joseph Mudenhe Masomere had his three huts burnt down at night soon after his family had gone to bed.
"My 16 children, including a week-old baby, survived but everything — as you can see — has been destroyed; from chickens, household utensils and the granaries.
"We could not put out the fires as we concentrated on quickly moving my children outside," he said.
Mr Masomere said his family had moved into their asbestos-roofed house after getting threats that the perpetrators would target "the easy to burn thatched huts".
"Had I not shifted my children from the huts where they traditionally sleep, they could all have been dead.
"This is political violence because it came after threats by people who are well-known MDC-T supporters," he alleged.
He said he reported the threats at Dorowa Police Station and had they taken action, then the arson could have been averted.
Mr Masomere, who is the Zanu-PF chairman for Rambanapasi District, said the attack on his home came a few days after he had visited other party members who had fallen victim to arson.
It appeared the arsonists were targeting Zanu-PF office holders in Rambanapasi as another victim, Mr Jeremiah Chabata of Chikoto Village, also had one of his huts burnt down.
Mr Chabata is Zanu-PF’s district information and public-
ity officer.
"The attacks followed repeated threats by some MDC-T supporters.
"They are ordering us to stop holding Zanu-PF meetings in the village.
"Earlier on, they disrupted a meeting at which we were working on logistics ahead of the President’s input support scheme," said Mr Chabata.
Police details from Dorowa Police Station were recording statements from the Chabata family when The Herald news crew arrived.
They, however, declined to comment, referring all questions to Dorowa station that in turn directed the crew to Mutare.
Mutare police said they were still investigating the matter.
Another victim, Mrs Fungai Musanhu, who is Zanu-PF’s deputy information and publicity secretary in the district, had all her belongings destroyed when one of her two huts was burnt down at night.
She claims the systematic attack followed threats of unspecified action by some MDC-T supporters.
"They have also taken over some of our fields. They are saying we should leave the village and go elsewhere," she said.
Her neighbour’s hut was razed that same night.
A village head (name supplied), whom Chief Chitsunge has since suspended on a different charge, is accused of leading the attacks in Chikoto village.
He disappeared from the area on seeing The Herald news crew and he played hide-and-seek until late in the evening.
Chief Chitsunge has written to Dorowa police asking them to take remedial action.
He said the political leadership had a duty to stop their supporters as indications were that the attacks would continue.
"My assessment is that it is deep-seated hatred among these people. It could have emanated from some other disputes.
"If these attacks are politically motivated, then it is up to the political leaders to address them."
Cde Mutomba said there was need to sca.le up reconciliation and healing efforts in rural areas.
He said he had tried to convene joint rallies with his MDC-T counterparts, but failed to get co-operation, with one of them making a "sudden U-turn because he needed clearance from the party leadership".
"People need to be taught that we need not misdirect our energies by fighting each other. In some instances these people fighting each other are relatives.
"As leaders, we should be at the forefront telling our supporters to desist from violence and concentrate on development," he said.
This is despite efforts by the inclusive Government’s Organ on National Healing and Reconciliation to cool political tension and hostilities stemming from the 2008 harmonised elections.
The latest violence occurred in Buhera North constituency, which is under Zanu-PF’s Cde William Mutomba.
He is the only Zanu-PF legislator in Buhera with the other three seats belonging to MDC-T lawmakers.
Zanu-PF supporters in Rambanapasi Village under Chief Gunguwo Chitsunge say MDC-T followers burnt down their homes.
Chief Chitsunge has urged the political leadership to urgently intervene, while Cde Mutomba has reportedly tried to engage his MDC-T counterparts without success.
Cde Mutomba has also called on the Joint Monitoring and Implementation Committee to urgently visit Buhera North and address the problem that is threatening to get out of hand.
Investigations indicate the acts of arson were all carried out at night in January while the homeowners slept.
MDC-T spokesperson Mr Nelson Chamisa yesterday said he needed time to gather details on what was obtaining on the ground.
When The Herald visited Buhera North on Tuesday, victims were still in a state of shock and the charred remains of their homes dotted the village.
Village head Mr Joseph Mudenhe Masomere had his three huts burnt down at night soon after his family had gone to bed.
"My 16 children, including a week-old baby, survived but everything — as you can see — has been destroyed; from chickens, household utensils and the granaries.
"We could not put out the fires as we concentrated on quickly moving my children outside," he said.
Mr Masomere said his family had moved into their asbestos-roofed house after getting threats that the perpetrators would target "the easy to burn thatched huts".
"Had I not shifted my children from the huts where they traditionally sleep, they could all have been dead.
"This is political violence because it came after threats by people who are well-known MDC-T supporters," he alleged.
He said he reported the threats at Dorowa Police Station and had they taken action, then the arson could have been averted.
Mr Masomere, who is the Zanu-PF chairman for Rambanapasi District, said the attack on his home came a few days after he had visited other party members who had fallen victim to arson.
It appeared the arsonists were targeting Zanu-PF office holders in Rambanapasi as another victim, Mr Jeremiah Chabata of Chikoto Village, also had one of his huts burnt down.
Mr Chabata is Zanu-PF’s district information and public-
ity officer.
"The attacks followed repeated threats by some MDC-T supporters.
"They are ordering us to stop holding Zanu-PF meetings in the village.
"Earlier on, they disrupted a meeting at which we were working on logistics ahead of the President’s input support scheme," said Mr Chabata.
Police details from Dorowa Police Station were recording statements from the Chabata family when The Herald news crew arrived.
They, however, declined to comment, referring all questions to Dorowa station that in turn directed the crew to Mutare.
Mutare police said they were still investigating the matter.
Another victim, Mrs Fungai Musanhu, who is Zanu-PF’s deputy information and publicity secretary in the district, had all her belongings destroyed when one of her two huts was burnt down at night.
She claims the systematic attack followed threats of unspecified action by some MDC-T supporters.
"They have also taken over some of our fields. They are saying we should leave the village and go elsewhere," she said.
Her neighbour’s hut was razed that same night.
A village head (name supplied), whom Chief Chitsunge has since suspended on a different charge, is accused of leading the attacks in Chikoto village.
He disappeared from the area on seeing The Herald news crew and he played hide-and-seek until late in the evening.
Chief Chitsunge has written to Dorowa police asking them to take remedial action.
He said the political leadership had a duty to stop their supporters as indications were that the attacks would continue.
"My assessment is that it is deep-seated hatred among these people. It could have emanated from some other disputes.
"If these attacks are politically motivated, then it is up to the political leaders to address them."
Cde Mutomba said there was need to sca.le up reconciliation and healing efforts in rural areas.
He said he had tried to convene joint rallies with his MDC-T counterparts, but failed to get co-operation, with one of them making a "sudden U-turn because he needed clearance from the party leadership".
"People need to be taught that we need not misdirect our energies by fighting each other. In some instances these people fighting each other are relatives.
"As leaders, we should be at the forefront telling our supporters to desist from violence and concentrate on development," he said.