Zaka Petrol Bomb Survivors Speak Out

(No Ratings Yet)

 Loading ...

By SARAH NCUBE

Published: October 20, 2009

ZIMBABWE – ZAKA – Two MDC supporters who survived a fatal petrol bomb attack at the party’s offices at Jerera growth point in Masvingo say their lives have become miserable as Zanu PF thugs continue to harass and threaten them with death.

The two, Eddison Gwenhure and Isaac Mbanje, survived death by a whisker last June when the MDC office they were guarding was petrol-bombed at night by individuals in army uniform.

Three other MDC supporters were killed in the attack.

Gwenhure, whose face and body suffered severe burns during the petrol-bomb attack, told The Changing Times that the injuries he sustained had prevented him from working for his family. He said Zanu PF thugs in Zaka have persistently threatened him with death if he continues to be a member of the MDC.

“I was approached by some Zanu PF activists who told me that the MDC had done nothing for us and as such we will be killed for nothing. It is very painful to note that the Zanu PF thugs are openly boasting that they killed our colleagues and injured us but nothing has happened to them,” he said, amid tears.

“We believe in national healing and reconciliation but we also believe that justice should take place first so that our colleagues in Zanu PF begin to respect human life.”

Gwenhure said the physical and traumatic effects of the incident were tormenting him.

“I am suffering both physically and psychologically. I hope we will get some assistance so that we can at least start some income generating projects,” he said.

Mbanje, who was lucky to escape with injuries on his hands and face, said he was no longer able to fend for his family. He said the painful picture of the charred remains of his friends after the bomb attack has remained etched on his mind and continues to haunt him in his sleep.

“I am disturbed by the fact that the very people who killed our colleagues are still roaming the villages freely and the police are not taking any action against them.

“I am also pained by the death of our activists, Crison Mbano and Washington Nyangwa as they were the pillars of the struggle for a new and democratic Zimbabwe here in Zaka,” he said.

Over 500 MDC supporters were murdered by Zanu PF and State security agents in the run-up to the 27 June 2008 Presidential “election.”

While the police and the Attorney-General’s Office have moved with speed to arrest and “prosecute” MDC members and MPs on trumped-up charges, there has been no arrest and prosecution of known Zanu PF leaders and members who were behind the violence and murders of MDC supporters in the run-up to the 27 June Presidential sham. The Zimbabwe Telegraph reports.