Zimbabwe Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai is pictured on May 17, 2013 in Harare. Nine supporters of Tsvangirai were injured during an attack Wednesday by suspected activists from veteran President Robert Mugabe's party, a party spokesman said. (AFP/File)
HARARE (AFP) – Nine supporters of Zimbabwe Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai were injured during an attack Wednesday by suspected activists from veteran President Robert Mugabe's party, a party spokesman said.
"I can confirm, I just received news of the incident," Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) spokesman Douglas Mwonzora told AFP.
A party source said members were pasting campaign posters in Harare for their candidate Gift Chimanikire ahead of crucial general elections later this month when rival youth from Mugabe's ZANU-PF attacked them.
"They are currently receiving treatment at a private hospital but it's not yet confirmed whether they have been admitted or not," the source said. The MDC condemned the attack.
"Zanu PF should not push the people further into the wall," the party said.
"This behaviour exposes them as hypocrites, opposed to diverging views. That they support an old and tired party should not restrict other forces of development, growth and stability."
Police could not be reached for comment.
Zimbabwe will hold elections on July 31 to choose a successor to the country's shaky powersharing government.
Previous elections in the country have been tainted by violence including the 2008 presidential run-off election which Tsvangirai boycotted citing the killing of over 200 party supporters.
Mugabe and Tsvangirai formed a power-sharing government four years ago to revive the economy and avoid a tip into conflict in the aftermath of the bloody run-off election.
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