On 6 July Danford Muleya* of
Sotshangane Flats was bruised on the face and had his spectacles destroyed
after being assaulted by the police at Bazaya Shopping Centre. Councilor
James Sithole of Makokoba was also assaulted by the police.
Shops in Makokoba and Mzilikazi were looted and property destroyed by
protesters.
On 7 July police in retaliation to protests of 6 July started arresting people all
over Bulawayo whether on the streets, shopping areas, homes or taxis. Over
eighty people were arrested and beaten up in the process, including four
children who were arrested.
There was intraparty violence within the Zanu PF backed war veterans
association on 18 July in Entumbane/Emakhandeni when members
supporting Treasurer Mr Khumalo fought with those aligned to the chairperson
Mr Ncube. The incident occurred as the two groups accused each other of
being sell-outs. The chaos was stopped by security agents.
At around 6:30pm on 6 July Shine Musimwa* was beaten up by police as he
was walking near Luveve Stadium. He was accused of trying to mobilize
people to continue with the stay away.
On 4 July Jonathan Ncube*, an MDC-T member was beaten up by Mkhululi
Bhebhe of Zanu PF in Bulawayo Central after he praised and supported
messages on social media of the pending stay aways.
The Movement for Democratic Change led by Morgan Tsvangirai in Bulawayo
mobilised for the staging of a beat the pot protest as a way of showing
government citizens had nothing to cook in their pots. Initially the protest
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