August 1 Violence Was Coup Attempt By Chamisa: Zanu-PF Activist

Giving oral evidence before the Commission of Inquiry into the August 1 shootings Zanu PF activist Tafadzwa Mugwadi, claimed had the army not stepped in to quell the demonstrations, MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa would have used street uprisings to become the next leader of Zimbabwe.

Said Mugwadi:

The demonstrations were rehearsed, they were a delayed match, it was not spontaneous. The MDC leader wanted to use the street demonstrations to remove the government and bring themselves into power with the help and funding of non-governmental organisations which fund their activities.

However, Makomborero Haruzivishe told the commission that the military was responsible for the violence following statements by top Zanu PF members former Finance deputy minister Terrence Mukupe and former Masvingo Provincial Affairs minister Josaya Hungwe, that the army would use force to keep the ruling party in power.

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