Terrence Mawawa | Masvingo | As the country’s political temperature continues to rise, a house belonging to a senior MDC official was torched by suspected Zanu PF youths last week.
MDC Provincial Youth Assembly chairperson, Philiph Chingini lost property worth $9000 after his grass-thatched house was torched by suspected Zanu PF youths infuriated by his role in the protests against President Robert Mugabe’s government.
The incident happened in Zimano Village, Nerupiri area in Gutu District. It is understood that suspected Zanu PF youths torched his house as a way of punishing him for playing an active role in the demonstrations taking place across the country. Mugabe, whose whereabouts have remained a mystery, is under pressure to step down following more than three decades in power. Chingini told ZimEye.com the incident happened around midnight when his 13 year-old daughter was alone at home. “My daugther was alone and fast asleep when she heard the sound of footsteps at the kitchen door. She then heard loud knocks at the bedroom door. The arsonists then torched my house and stole four goats and 16 hens from my fowl run. I am sure this was done by Zanu PF youths after I successfully organised an MDC demonstration in Masvingo,” said Chingini. MDC Provincial Treasurer Takanayi Mureyi said the incident was tragic and unfortunate. “There is no doubt Zanu PF youths torched Chingini’s house.Violence has no place in our society,” said Chingini. In 2008 houses belonging to opposition supporters, mainly MDC members, were torched by members of the Zanu PF youth militia. Opposition supporters were killed, tortured and maimed during the brutal presidential election run-off campaign.