Zim PM ally charged with attempted murder
2013-03-20 20:47
Special Report
Civil society groups in Zimbabwe say election delay would do little to dissuade President Robert Mugabe's supporters from voter intimidation.
Harare - An official from Zimbabwe Prime Minister Morgan
Tsvangirai's party appeared in court on Wednesday on charges of attempted
murder and malicious damage to property, his lawyer said.
Samson Magumura, a member of the Movement for Democratic
Change (MDC, is accused of firebombing the home of an official from President
Robert Mugabe's Zanu-PF party.
"He is denying both charges," lawyer Charles
Chigadza told AFP. "In fact he was nowhere near the place where this
incident is said to have taken place."
Magumura was taken from his home in an unmarked police
vehicle on Saturday as Zimbabweans went to vote in a referendum to adopt a new
constitution.
The alleged attack came weeks after a 12-year-old son of a
regional MDC official died in a fire.
MDC supporters said the blaze was caused by a firebomb
thrown by activists from Zanu-PF but police ruled out foul play.
Past elections in Zimbabwe have been marred by violence
including killings, assault and intimidation.
- AFP
