Staff Reporter

In an attempt to show force, Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) youths attacked ZANU PF traders at Mupedzanhamo market in Mbare resulting in loss of property.

An eye witness narrated that CCC youths approached and informed traders at the marketplace that Harare Mayor, Jacob Mafume had allowed them to take over the administration of Mupedzanhamo since Harare City Council was administered by CCC.

The CCC youths further threatened all non-CCC affiliated traders at the market to either join that party or face eviction. This prompted resistance from ZANU PF youths who cited that they could not be evicted since they pay rentals to Harare City Council.

“When the CCC youths came, we were all informed that Mayor Jacob Mafume had given the CCC youths a green light to administer the affairs at the Mupedzanhamo market place. The CCC youths started threatening ZANU PF traders with eviction which the latter resisted arguing that they pay their rentals to City Council and cannot be evicted basing on political affiliation.

“CCC youths retaliated by smashing stall tables and work spaces belonging to ZANU PF youths who had resisted that party’s eviction order, scattering their products all over the dirt. This is how the violence started. Eventually the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) was deployed and order restored later in the afternoon,” said the source.

Vendors Initiatives for Social and Economic Transformation Director, Samuel Wadzai confirmed the skirmishes saying violence should be avoided at all cost.

“Today the youths wanted to remove people from their business spaces that is how the fight started. This tension had been brewing for almost two weeks or so,” said Wadzai.

Efforts to get clarity on the CCC youths claims were in vain as Mayor Mafume was not answering his phone.