By Lionel Saungweme| Suspected ZANU PF youths Tuesday evening assaulted Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) member, Shelton “Zhuga” Tembo, on his way from Bulawayo’s Sizinda Township shops where he had bought relish for supper.

The assault coincides with a warning given by MDC security that “members should be wary of public spaces such as markets as these have been occupied by state security agents.”

“MDC members should be careful of state security agents masquerading as either party members or our erstwhile political opponents,” said Senator Lilian Timveos who is a member of the MDC’s National Executive.

Zhuga was assaulted on the eyes, nose, head, hand, left leg and teeth. He has reported his case to the police and will today be attended to by medical staff at Mpilo Hospital.

The assault on Zhuga coincided with similar if not severe assaults on human rights lawyer, Tatenda Mombeyarara and the abduction of MDC Mufakose Youth Chairman, Blessing Kanotunga in Harare.

According to the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), Mombeyarara was abducted from his home early morning and severely tortured by six heavily-armed and unidentified men.

ZLHR allege that the during the torture the unidentified men interrogated him about a so called “Maldives training” and also about Harare’s 16 August 2019 protests.

ZHLR allege that the abductors wanted details of the demonstrations and information on how the protests were being organised.

“Although Tatenda denied any involvement, the men continued their vicious, barbaric attacks on him,” reads a ZLHR message on its Twitter handle.

In an almost similar incident, Mufakose MDC Youth Chairperson, Blessing Kanotunga was abducted from his house and tortured by five unidentified armed men .

The abductors interrogated Kanotunga about the 16 August 2019 protests in Harare and later dumped him near Chitungwiza.

A comment from the police national Spokesperson was not forthcoming as her phone rang unanswered.

However, MDC Youth Assembly National Spokesperson, Stephen Sarkozy Chuma said, “it is … a sign of cowardice and desperation to stop our August 16 mass action program.

In that regard, we would like to make it clear that the August 16 demonstrations will go ahead as planned albeit through peaceful means.”