By Correspondent
A Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) member and Masvingo Council ward 3 councillor Rockford Kamuzonda escaped death by a whisker after being attacked by suspected ZANU PF supporters in Zaka over the weekend.
Kamuzonda was left nursing a swollen face while another CCC supporter he was travelling with sustained head injuries and had to receive stitches at Ndanga District Hospital, after the attack.
Kamuzonda said he was attacked at 4 mile Business Centre on his way from Jerera Growth Point after a personal errand.
A police report was made at Ndanga Police Station and no arrests have been made so far.
Political Skirmishes
Narrating his ordeal Clr Kamuzonda said he witnessed a white Nissan Hardbody trailing him from Jerera Growth Point and decided to have a stop at 4 Miles Business Centre.
Kamuzonda was travelling with four members of the opposition party and his three year old son.
“After we stopped at 4 miles the vehicle which I suspect was trailing us also stopped and two people who were in the car disembarked and started to talk to some people at the business centre.
“We bought drinks and as we were about to leave a man came to greet me and acknowledged me as a Masvingo City councillor.
“I thought he had recognised me as I was wearing a branded council shirt and he started accusing me of failing to run council affairs.
“About 8 people then joined the man and surrounded my car and we exchanged harsh words with them and within seconds I was slapped and the guys I was travelling came out of the car and a fight broke out” Kamuzonda said.
One of his members identified as Power Chirasha was struck on the forehead with a stone during the skirmish and had to be rushed to Ndanga Hospital.
“They only stopped attacking us after one of our members lay unconscious on the ground bleeding.
“I strongly suspect that this was premeditated political violence as we had not offended anyone or insulted any one.
“If it wasn’t for the guys I was travelling with who fought bravely to protect me, I could have suffered life threatening injuries,” Kamuzonda said.
Masvingo Provincial Police spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa said his office had not received the report and promised to get back to this reporter once he was furnished with details.
Since Monday the spokesperson has been dogging calls and texts from this publication.
CCC Masvingo Youth Spokesperson Tawanda Muswere castigated the attack and urged CCC members to be on high alert as the country braces for elections next year.
“Zanu PF has a history of violence and signs are already being shown that the party will use violence to intimidate change champions into submission.
“However, we are now on high alert and will do anything to protect ourselves as change is inevitable come next year,” he said.
Kamuzonda, a carpenter by profession, romped to victory after winning the Ward 3 seat against flamboyant businessman and Zanu PF candidate Taurai Mudzviti in the recently held council by-election.