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afrol.com, 18 November - A group of supporters of the Zimbabwean oppositions party MDC were attacked in Beatrice today on the road from Beatrice township (Harare). One of the supporters was seriously injured and is currently at Harare Central Hospital. About twenty five MDC supporters in an open truck, and five in a twincab went today to continue their campaigning in Marondera West, in preparation for the bye-elections next weekend, according to a statement from the MDC. The group went to Beatrice Township, passing along there way by a public football field, on which approximately 30 "war veterans" have set up tents and made their camp. The MDC campaigners toured Beatrice Township, distributing flyers, singing, and encouraging people to vote MDC next weekend. The group finished their tour, and came back up the road past the "war veteran" camp, the MDC reports. Arriving by the field, they found the road blocked by a large log. The group then disembarked from their vehicles and began to move the log. While moving the log, they were stoned heavily by supporters of the Zanu PF, Zimbabwe's governing party, which has supported the "war vets" in their illegal farm occupations. Four were injured by this stoning, according o information from the MDC. When the MDC supporters continued to move the log, one of the "war veterans" pulled out a gun and fired three shots in the air. Panic ensued, and people ran in all directions. Many got back on the vehicles, but one man, "Charles X", was tackled by five of the war veterans. Once they had caught him, they beat him with sticks on his back. They also took an axe to his head. "Charles" suffered two severe lacerations to his skull, and a cut above his eye. The group were taken to the police station, but "Charles" was so severely injured he was then taken to Beatrice Hospital. The charge nurse there sent him to him the Harare Central Hospital. He is reported to be in serious by stable condition. His skull is fractured, and he is being x-rayed to see if there is any bleeding in the brain. At the police station, the MDC supporters were accused of inciting the violence, and their vehicle was impounded. The Deputy Officer-in-Charge at Beatrice charged that the MDC were responsible for the attack, as the war veterans were simply present in a public place, and the MDC supporters provoked the war veterans to their reaction. At almost the same time, another group of 48 MDC campaigners arrived in Mahusekwa Township. They came in three vehicles. Arriving at the township, they were immediately surrounded by 300-400 individuals, both youths and adults, in Zanu PF t-shirts. "This group is suspected to have camped outside the township overnight, waiting for the arrival of the MDC," stated a party official. When they arrived at the township, many MDC supporters got out of their vehicles. When they realised how many Zanu supporters there were, however, they tried to get back into their vehicles. A fierce struggle ensued between the two groups, and many MDC supporters received minor injuries. The three vehicles eventually escaped safely, and regrouped in Seke. The MDC says in a statement that it is "outraged at these latest incidents of violence and intimidation against its membership. It seriously jeopardises any hopes that the residents of Marondera West had for a free and fair by election. As long as the ruling party continues to turn a blind eye to such flagrant violations of the principles of democracy, the people of Marondera West, and of Zimbabwe, continue to be denied their constitutional right to good governance," the statement goes.
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