The Sunday News
Tinomuda Chakanyuka, Senior Reporter
CONTRARY to refutations by the MDC Alliance that they did not bus supporters to the rally at White City Stadium on Saturday, events in the aftermath of the event all but confirmed that they indeed hyped the gathering by supporters from as far as Harare.
The MDC Alliance angrily denied busing people from Harare, Masvingo, Gweru and Chitungwiza to its Bulawayo rally but incidents that succeeded the rally have left the party with an egg on the face.
Confirmed reports are that 23 party supporters from Masvingo were injured in an accident in Filabusi as they travelled back from the rally on Saturday.
One of the victims is the MDC-T Chivi North district secretary, Mr Joachim Chiware.
In another incident six suspected MDC-T supporters from Bulawayo allegedly torched a bus hired by MDC Alliance supporters from Gweru destroying property worth $2 500.
The bus belongs to T and H Buses, a Gweru based company.
The six appeared before Western Commonage magistrate Mr Lungile Ncube facing public violence and malicious damage to property charges.
They pleaded not guilty to both charges and were remanded in custody to April 23 for trial.
In another incident an MDC Alliance supporter from Harare was sentenced to nine months in prison for stealing property and cash with a combined value of $556 at the rally.
Godwin Muchechete (44) from Highfield claimed that he stole the goods because he did not have money to return to Harare since his wallet had been stolen while he was on one of the buses with party members.
Political analyst Mr Michael Mhlanga said the three incidents offered embarrassing but undeniable evidence that the MDC Alliance had indeed bused people to hype its event.
Mr Mhlanga said the busing of supporters to Bulawayo by the Alliance was evidence that Advocate Nelson Chamisa was unsure of his popularity.
He described as public fraud attempts by MDC Alliance to deny that people were bused to the rally.
“Denying that people were bused is fraudulent, it’s public fraud. There are three incidents that provide undeniable proof that some of the people at the rally were from outside Bulawayo.
“Chamisa’s popularity is overrated and the busing of people confirms it. He is unsure of his popularity hence the strategy to stage manage attendance,” he said.
The MDC Alliance is on record denying having bused people to Bulawayo for the rally.
