ZHOMBE — An 84-year-old Zhombe headman, Rodreck Kadzunge, is reportedly nursing serious injuries at a private hospital in Harare after he was beaten up by suspected soldiers who accused him of distributing food handouts to known MDC-T supporters. Report by Blessed Mhlanga Staff Reporter
Kadzunge was allegedly assaulted alongside several MDC-T supporters at an MDC-T rally in Chief Samambwa’s area last Thursday.
His son, Batsirai, said the octogenarian sustained deep cuts on his back and could hardly walk without aid following the assault.
“He had handed over names of people under him who had benefited from the Mugabe donations a day before and when they saw him at the rally, the soldiers got angry and accused him of selling out,” Batsirai said. “That is when he was beaten up.”
The soldiers are believed to be part of a group camped at Samambwa Secondary School where they are co-ordinating distribution of food and maize seed sourced under the $20 million Presidential Farming Inputs Scheme.
According to MDC-T sources, several women at the rally were allegedly ordered to remove their party T-shirts which were later burnt.
Part of a police record confirming Kadzunge’s attack reads: “(He) was severely assaulted with an unknown object in the back and was also slapped once in the face and fell down unconscious.”
The case was recorded on November 31 by a Zhombe police officer only identified as Kamba (force number 062529Q).
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A local Jomic liaison officer Trainer Ruzvidzo said she would ensure perpetrators of the violent attacks were brought to book.
“This is not what we want. How can you have women running around naked because they support MDC-T?” Ruzvidzo said.
“They were beaten and left naked. That is serious abuse and should not be allowed.”
Mugabe launched the scheme a month ago and he says it is meant to benefit all Zimbabweans regardless of political affiliation.
