Mthwakazi activists storm police station

BULAWAYO police yesterday fired warning shots to disperse scores of Mthwakazi Republic Party (MRP) activists who staged a protest outside Bulawayo Central Police Station over alleged harassment of their leader, Mqondisi Moyo.

The protests followed reports that armed police had raided his house in the morning.

Provincial police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele confirmed that a number of MRP activists were arrested for participating in the protests.

“We are aware of the case and I can confirm that they were arrested, but investigations are still in progress,” Msebele said.

The MRP activists were singing anti-government songs, burning tyres and blocking the driveway into the camp.

Some of the activists threw stones at the police building, resulting in police, who were caught unawares, firing warning shots as the MRP activists threatened to burn the police station.

The MRP leader claimed that one of the party supporters was shot on the leg. It could not be established if police fired rubber bullets or live ammunition.

“Khethani Nxebalendonda Ndlovu has been shot on the left leg with live bullets. So far, ten of our members have been arrested,” Moyo said.

The incident comes a few days after gunshots were also fired in Ntabazinduna, Matabeleland North provinve during a standoff pitting MRP activists and a Zanu PF member, Floyd Ambrose who had invaded commercial farmer Brian Davies’ property.

MRP activists, fighting on the side of Davies, removed the household property belonging to Ambrose as they tried to forcibly evict him before police intervened and quelled the skirmishes.