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Nduduzo Tshuma Senior Reporter
AN MDC-T activist needed hospital treatment after he was assaulted by Magwegwe MP Anele Ndebele, also of the same party, in clashes following a divisive weekend restructuring exercise of the party’s provincial structures in Bulawayo.Douglas Mwatse was punched, pelted with stones and whipped with a sjambok by an angry mob after a confrontation with the MP.

This is the second time assault charges have been levelled against Ndebele after he was previously charged for attacking Magwegwe constituency chairperson, Trixon Tonderai Nyamupingidza, and another party member, Ali Pemba, although he was acquitted in court.

“Ndebele found Mwatse at the shops and accused him of wanting to assault a member of his team named Marongwe during the weekend restructuring exercise.

“He started hurling insults at Mwatse and in the process two people of heavy build joined in and assaulted him,” said an MDC-T official.
“Ndebele said he would fix Mwatse (a district secretary for mines) for working with Nyamupingidza. As a result of the assault, Mwatse suffered lacerations on various parts of the body.

“He is admitted in hospital as we speak.”

Ndebele yesterday confirmed Mwatse’s assault but denied any involvement.

He said Mwatse was part of a group that claimed he previously attacked Nyamupingidza, but the case collapsed in court in July.

He said they met at the shops in Magwegwe and a misunderstanding arose.

“Mwatse hurled insults at me and also the Head of State (President Mugabe).  I’m a sworn parliamentarian and child of the revolution and I really didn’t like what he was saying.

“I left him but the people who were nearby were not happy about his statements and I hear they later assaulted him,” the MP said.

“I did not assault Mwatse. He was assaulted by people who were offended by his attacks on the Head of State. I’m a member of the opposition but I’m a responsible one. The Head of State is a father figure to the nation and should not be insulted.”

Ndebele said the allegations against him were a smear campaign ahead of the party’s congress next month.

“As you know, we were conducting a restructuring exercise at the weekend. People are positioning themselves for positions and they want to attack me and soil my name.

“I didn’t attack Mwatse despite the fact that I was angered by what he said about the Head of State,” he said.