Police report on BMD congress violence out soon
Chakalisa Dube | Thursday December 7, 2017 13:38
This is according to Assistant Commissioner of Police deputy divisional commander for North Central, Tamapo Nthoiwa. “We have been doing a thorough screening of those who might have been involved in the violence. The case involves a lot of people, which is why it has taken time to complete the investigations. Investigations involving a lot of people also require a lot of caution,” Nthoiwa said.
He added that, “After two weeks that is when we can decide if we should charge anyone in relation to the violent activities at the congress or not”. Nthoiwa said the investigations were delayed by the fact that one of the four people who suffered severe injuries at the congress was not cooperative. Of the four injured people two suffered severe head and eye injuries. In fact, the victim who suffered an eye injury has indicated that doctors have told him that his left eye has been permanently damaged. The other victim who suffered head injuries is nearing recovery. The four injured men belonged to the faction led by Ndaba Gaolathe, who has since broke away from the BMD to form the Alliance for Progressives (AP). The current party president, Sidney Pilane, led the other faction.
BMD factions engaged in a brutal fight at Matshekge after supporters belonging to Gaolathe’s faction were not allowed into the school. Property was also damaged during the fight, which featured dogs, stone throwing and other weapons such as knives. While they hold a contrary view, members of Gaolathe’s faction were said to be not eligible to attend the congress. Matshekge was to hold the BMD elective congress, but instead both factions ended up holding separate meetings. Each faction elected its own leadership committee.