ZINASU leaders assaulted at Susan Tsvangirai memorial

Four leaders of a faction of the Zimbabwe National Students’ Union were assaulted and seriously injured by suspected MDC-T youths at a memorial service for Mrs Susan Tsvangirai, the late wife of Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, at Glamis Stadium on Saturday.

Zinasu factional president Tafadzwa Mugwadi, secretary-general Kurai Hoyi, legal affairs secretary Archiford Mudzengi and national treasurer Tafadzwa Kutya were set upon and needed treatment at Avenues Clinic.

In a statement yesterday, Hoyi blasted MDC-T for fanning divisions in the students’ body.

"The MDC and in particular the office of its president and that of the Prime Minister have been deliberately fanning divisions in the students union, threatening and assaulting student leaders," said Hoyi.

He said attacks had occurred in the past with MDC-T turning a blind eye.

"These attacks on student leaders by these hired-misguided MDC thugs have happened in the past and have gone unattended to by the party leadership."

He demanded an apology from Mr Tsvangirai, saying the intolerance shown by his supporters was contrary to their claim of pursuing democratic change.

Yesterday, the National Constitutional Assembly condemned the attacks.

"The National Constitutional Assembly strongly condemns the violent attacks on the Zinasu leadership by MDC youths at the memorial service of Amai Susan Tsvangirai at Glamis Stadium," said NCA spokesperson Mr Maddock Chivasa.

He added:

"We urge the MDC, especially its leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai, to openly denounce this violent and unacceptable behaviour.

"We hope that such barbaric acts will be a thing of the past from today going forward," he said.

MDC-T spokesperson, Mr Nelson Chamisa yesterday dismissed the accusations.

"It was a successful event and Zinasu gave its solidarity message. If it happened as they claim, it should have been captured by the media that were there," he said.

Mr Chamisa said his party was not involved in any destabilisation of Zinasu.

Mrs Tsvangirai died from injuries sustained in a road accident last year.