MDC members charged over Bulawayo clashes

Bulawayo's deputy mayor was among 12 people who last week faced disorder charges over clashes between rival factions of the country's main opposition party. A report on the News24 site notes that the MDC has been paralysed by disagreements over who should succeed former leader Morgan Tsvangirai who died last month. Deputy Mayor Gift Banda, councillor Mlandu Ncube and 10 other MDC supporters appeared in court following clashes on Sunday last week that left several people injured. Banda was freed on bail of $200 while the rest were released after posting sureties of $50. 'Some of them were actually victims of violence who went to report that they had been attacked and were arrested,' defence lawyer Dumisani Dube is quoted as saying.