From George Maponga in Chiredzi
There was drama in the Lowveld town of Triangle on Friday when Bikita South Member of Parliament, Cde Jappy Jaboon, was allegedly assaulted by his Chiredzi West counterpart, Cde Darlington Chiwa after the former barred him from attending a meeting between the Zanu-PF Masvingo provincial leadership and sugarcane producer Tongaat Huletts management.

A high-powered delegation comprising senior ruling party officials in Masvingo led by politburo members Cdes Josaya Hungwe and Shuvai Mahofa, Central Committee and provincial executive members, war veterans and traditional leaders was on a tour of the Lowveld to tackle problems affecting the region.

Cde Chiwa allegedly teamed up with war veterans from Chiredzi and manhandled Cde Jaboon, who is the provincial secretary for Commissariat, accusing him of blocking the Chiredzi West parliamentarian from attending a closed door meeting.

Sources said Cde Chiwa wanted to force his way into the meeting where he had been barred, arguing that he was supposed to witness proceedings since he was the Member of Parliament for the area.

However, Cde Jaboon allegedly blocked him at the entrance resulting in the Bikita South parliamentarian being assaulted outside the meeting venue.

Cde Jaboon did not sustain visible injuries but promised to make a report against his Chiredzi West counterpart at the end of the Lowveld tour latter in the day. It could not be established whether Cde Jaboon had reported the alleged assault to Triangle police by yesterday.

When our Masvingo correspondent arrived at Tongaat Huletts offices, the situation was tense with baton stick-wielding police officers milling around.

A few other officers were also manning the entrance into the boardroom where the meeting was taking place.

Cde Jaboon accused Cde Chiwa of disrespect after the alleged assault.

“Cde Chiwa assaulted me with a gang of thugs he hired to come and disrupt our meeting. He should learn to respect fellow party officials instead of trying to impose himself everywhere. I am going to press charges of assault against him,’’ he said.

However, Cde Chiwa denied assaulting his Bikita South counterpart saying it was shocking that he was barred from attending a meeting to discuss developmental issues in his constituency. Tongaat Huletts sugarcane mills and cane plantations in Triangle fall under Chiredzi West constituency.

“I never assaulted him (Cde Jaboon), he is lying. We only argued after he stopped me from attending the meeting. Who is he to stop me from attending a meeting to discuss development in my area?’’ he charged. “If the provincial leadership has instructions that I am no longer wanted as a Zanu-PF Member of Parliament in Chiredzi West they must tell me, not to block me from attending meetings to discuss development in my area,’’ added Cde Chiwa.

Acting Masvingo provincial police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa said his office had not received a report involving Cdes Chiwa and Jaboon in Triangle.

Zanu-PF acting Masvingo provincial chairman Cde Paradzai Chakona condemned the alleged attack on Cde Jaboon saying it showed disrespect of senior party members and traditional leaders who were attending the meeting.

“I encourage Cde Jaboon to go and file a report to police. What happened is totally unacceptable. How can people fight each other over simple issues, it is shameful and must never be repeated,’’ said Cde Chakona.

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