HARARE - The brutal killing of a 12-old-boy in Headlands took centre stage in Parliament yesterday with MDC members accusing President Robert Mugabe of failing to stop political violence.

Other MPs said Mugabe’s calls for peace are genuine but his followers no longer listen to him because of his advanced age.

Debating on the presidential speech, legislators took the opportunity to denounce political violence that occurred last weekend in Headlands and Hurungwe where Zanu PF supporters ran amok committing arson resulting in the death of Christpower Maisiri, son of an aspiring MDC MP set to challenge Zanu PF secretary for administration Didymus Mutasa in Headlands.

MDC MP for Zaka Central Harrison Mudzuri described Mugabe as a “hypocrite” who should control his party members causing violence.

“Mugabe is saying he is against political violence but there is a lot of indiscipline among his party members as we are beginning to experience horrific incidents of political violence ahead of the referendum and elections.

“His same party member Sarah Mahoka tasted her own medicine after being attacked by party youths. We also denounce those acts of violence,” said Mudzuri.
 
Hurungwe East MP Mahoka was attacked by Zanu PF youths at a rally resulting in her being hospitalised.
MDC MP for Bikita South, Varandeni Jani said Zanu PF MPs no longer listened to Mugabe’s advice because of his advanced age.

“Zanu PF members no longer listen to him because he is old.

“He speaks of peace in Parliament but when his MPs go out, they instigate violence because they know he is an old man and he cannot do anything to them,” said Jani.

Eddie Cross, MDC MP for Bulawayo South who visited Maisiri’s family yesterday, said what he saw was horrific.

“This is the 9th such incident I have witnessed. I visited the homestead yesterday and these are absolutely unspeakable acts of violence.

“This is not a homestead of rich people but poor people with no recourse,” said Cross.

Zanu PF legislators objected to the MDC MPs statements, saying Mugabe did not support violence and party members still respect the 89-year-old.

Zanu PF MP for Zvishavane-Runde, Larry Mavima said he was disappointed by the negative labelling of the president.

“I am disappointed that some members are calling the president a hypocrite. Some of us are still inspired by him and we still respect him as he gives us direction. We know that there is violence within MDC despite the call by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, but we in Zanu PF have never called him a hypocrite. Let’s preach about peace without insulting our leaders,” said Mavima.

MPs across the political divide took turns to denounce political violence and called on the police to arrest the perpetrators as the country prepares for a referendum on March 16 and harmonised elections, possibly in June.