HARARE – The MDC accused police of shooting at the party’s leader Nelson Chamisa on Sunday during a tree planting ceremony at a clinic in Marondera.
Tear gas was also used in the incident as police attempted to disperse a small crowd that had gathered to see the opposition leader.
“The situation started off very calmly and quickly unravelled as soon as a group of heavily armed security personnel in police uniform arrived. Almost every one of them had an AK47 rifle,” Chamisa’s spokesman Nkululeko Sibanda said.
“These state agents did not talk to anyone even when there were attempts to understand their aggressive approach and demeanour. The firing of live ammunition, rubber bullets and tear gas began almost as immediately as the vehicles came to a halt.”
Sibanda said Chamisa was not hurt in the incident, which was captured on video.
“This event was not a political gathering or a meeting but a tree planting event to which the president was encouraging our society to take care of mother earth,” Sibanda added.
Chamisa, who has declared every December a tree-planting month, had intended to plant a tree at a school in Marondera but it had been sealed off by dozens of riot police when he arrived there.
The MDC leader then proceeded to the local authority’s offices where he planted a tree before leaving for Dombotombo Clinic where he planted another tree before the arrival of the police.
MDC vice president Tendai Biti said the incident was an unprecedented escalation.
“The continued closure of space and downright abuse and lawlessness continues unabated under Emmerson Mnangagwa,” Biti tweeted.
“For all intents and purposes, the regime has de facto banned the MDC. We can’t breathe, march or gather. In parliament, our committees can’t sit. Now we can’t even plant trees. The truth is Mnangagwa has failed to uphold and protect the constitution and guarantee the security of all.”
