An exchange of blows between some ruling CCM carders and those of the main opposition CHADEMA almost spoilt the countrywide celebrations to mark 36 years after its 1977 start.
The dispute started some minutes after the celebrations had started at the Mji Mpya grounds in Dodoma municipality at 10am.
According to people living in the neighborhood there was a Chadema flag at the venue for several years. However, as CCM members were about to commence their celebrations, they allegedly uprooted Chadema’s flag and planted theirs instead.
The chaos ensued as Tarime MP, Mr Nyambari Nyangwine, was on the platform talking about CCM’s achievements when a group of Chadema supporters approached the grounds and demanded that their flag be returned in its place.
At about midday the CCM celebrations, which were scheduled to end at 3pm had to be postponed as the situation got tense. Some Chadema supporters took their flag and wanted to forcefully return it to its original position.
It was at this point that the fracas ensued as CCM members started pushing back Chadema supporters. There was exchange of blows and stones throwing before the police intervened to calm down the situation.
The party cadres were entangled in the fight that left two Chadema cadres seriously injured and ten were arrested by the Police even though no arrests were made on the CCM side.
The dispute started some minutes after the celebrations had started at the Mji Mpya grounds in Dodoma municipality at 10am.
According to people living in the neighborhood there was a Chadema flag at the venue for several years. However, as CCM members were about to commence their celebrations, they allegedly uprooted Chadema’s flag and planted theirs instead.
The chaos ensued as Tarime MP, Mr Nyambari Nyangwine, was on the platform talking about CCM’s achievements when a group of Chadema supporters approached the grounds and demanded that their flag be returned in its place.
At about midday the CCM celebrations, which were scheduled to end at 3pm had to be postponed as the situation got tense. Some Chadema supporters took their flag and wanted to forcefully return it to its original position.
It was at this point that the fracas ensued as CCM members started pushing back Chadema supporters. There was exchange of blows and stones throwing before the police intervened to calm down the situation.
The party cadres were entangled in the fight that left two Chadema cadres seriously injured and ten were arrested by the Police even though no arrests were made on the CCM side.
Chadema members [in kakhi uniforms ] wrestle with CCM members [in green]
POLITICAL parties in the country should adopt internal mechanisms to tackle conflicts before they erupt and lead to serious divisions.