MP+Trudy+Stevenson+and+others+attacked+by+Tsvangirai+thugs


 * 3 July 2006**

Press Statement
=MP Trudy Stevenson and four others nearly killed by Tsvangirai's thugs in Mabvuku.=

The Member of Parliament for Harare North Constituency, Hon. Trudy Stevenson and four other MDC Provincial Executive Members were yesterday at 3:30pm attacked and severely assaulted and left for dead by a mob of about 40 from the Tsvangirai group in Mabvuku. Trudy had accompanied the Harare Provincial Secretary for Organising and former Harare councilor for ward 23 Linos Mushonga, Harare Provincial Treasurer, Mrs Simangele Manyere and two members of the Harare Provincial Youth Assembly Tawanda Udzerema and Lackson Mudachira.



As the officials were leaving Mabvuku on their way to Harare, they were waylaid near Circle Cement as the thugs blocked the road and threw stones at their car, smashing the windscreen and windows. The mob pounced on the MDC officials and attacked them with an assortment of missiles, which included stones, iron bars and sticks. The thugs searched the victims as they lay helplessly on the ground and got away with three cell-phones valued at more than 600 million dollars, more than $20 million in cash, two hand bags, and two pairs of shoes and other important valuables including wedding rings. The scene resembled that of marauding robbers. The vehicle was extensively damaged and the ignition keys were stolen. Meanwhile the group was singing, dancing and shouting unprintable obscenities, and vulgar words were spawn about their victims. They sang songs in praise of Morgan Tsvangirai as they danced on the hapless victims. They declared that Tsvangirai was their hero and would not brook and opposing view to him in Mabvuku.



Trudy was hit with a machete on the back of her head and sustained a deep cut just above the neck. Councilor Linos Paul Mushonga suffered two broken fingers, which doctors say may have to be amputated. Mrs. Manyere was smashed with a stone, and suffered broken teeth and had a swollen face. She is expected to visit the dentist this afternoon. She had multiple lacerations on her face and head after she was kicked with booted feet and clinched fists by the thugs.



Hon Stevenson and Mrs Manyere were rushed to Avenues Clinic in a police truck where it was confirmed by the Doctor that Trudy had had a broken wrist. A scan on Mushonga's fingers by the Doctor also revealed that he had two broken fingers. The thugs sped off in a gate away blue truck with white strips resembling that of MP Mubawu, which they were using.



Only seven persons amongst the thugs were positively identified as Wilson Goliath, Munyaradzi aka Lecturer, Petty Zambezi aka Mai Danken, Norman Hanyani and Tendai aka Chigubhu, Tonderai Ndira and his brother Barnabas Ndira. Barnabas Ndira and brother Tonderai have become notorious for carrying out attacks against our members. They are the same persons who hijacked a motorvehicle and despite a high court order, have not surrendered it to this day.

MDC is shocked by the barbaric and intolerant behaviour exhibited by the Tsvangirai group and their attempt on the lives of senior MDC officials, including our parliamentarians. We put it on record that this is not the first time such violent acts have been committed by these thugs. The history of fighting can be traced back to 2001 at Harare Provincial Congress. The violent acts and intimidatory tactics were again employed in the May, 2006 Budiriro by-election. We are left wondering as to what kind of democracy Tsvangirai and his group are purporting to be fighting for when they cannot accept views and opinions that are at variance with those of their group. Our commitment to non-violence and peaceful means remain unshaken and we are thankful that our officials, despite the attacks did not attempt to retaliate. We call upon the police to leave no stone unturned and bring these barbarians and merchants of violence to book in the interest of justice.


 * Gabriel Chaibva**


 * MDC (Mutambara), Secretary for Information and Publicity**