By Collins Chirinda

Human Rights watchdog Heal Zim and Crisis Coalition have slammed the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T) for the intraparty violence that was observed earlier this week during the burial of the late party President Morgan Tsvangirai in Buhera.

Heal Zimbabwe said that it condemned any sort of violent activity.

“Heal Zimbabwe strongly condemns the intraparty political violence that took place during at the burial of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T) President Morgan Richard Tsvangirai in Humanikwa Village.”

In a statement, Heal Zimbabwe said it was equally concerned with the ill-treatment given to the party’s Vice President Dr Thokozani Khupe, the late party leader’s widow Elizabeth and his mother.

“A group of youths attacked Vice President, Thokozani Khupe and the party’s Secretary General, Mr Douglas Mwonzora accusing them of fanning divisions in the party.

“Heal Zimbabwe is equally concerned over the ill-treatment and harassment of both Tsvangirai’s widow, Mrs Elizabeth Macheka Tsvangirai and his mother Gogo Tsvangirai by some party members during the funeral.” reads the statement.

Crisis in Zimbabwe said in a statement that society should be built on the precepts of respect for divergence, tolerance and peace.

The organisation likened the violence to the 1980’s massacres in Matabeleland.

“Derogatory terms were used that are synonymous to those used to commit acts of genocide by the Mugabe regime in the Matabeleland and Midlands provinces. The treatment (including labeling) of both Tsvangirai’s widow and his mother are unfortunate.” reads the statement

The statements come at a time when the media is awash with a surge of the violent related cases reported to the police and alleged indecencies including sexual harassments which has drawn widespread criticism from politicians and the international community.

Earlier this week, the party’s spokesperson Obert Gutu ‘quit’ the party saying he was not going to be in cahoots “with an organisation that advocates for violence and thuggery.”

Heal Zimbabwe has called on the police to descend on political violence perpetrators and urged political parties to shun violence.

“Heal Zimbabwe implores the police to apprehend and enforce the law by bringing to book all perpetrators of violence.

“Heal Zimbabwe also urges political parties to reign in on their supporters so that they desist from perpetrating violence.” continues the statement.

Meanwhile, MDC-T interim leader Mr Nelson Chamisa has castigated perpetrators of violence within his party and is expected to address the media on the issue tomorrow.