Harare residents vow to step up demos

, who demonstrated July 19, were released July 20 from police holding cells. They paid $250 000 admission of guilt fines and face charges, which their lawyers will contest under the Miscellaneous Offences Act.
“Our arrest by the police was a blessing in disguise,”said Israel Mabhoo, acting head of CHRA.”This is the beginning of more demonstrations to come until we are able to sit down and be consulted as residents. We will continue as CHRA to demonstrate against the illegal commission running the City of Harare until the billing system is rectified, until an elected mayor and councillors are in place and until the government recognise that residents want a clean city.” The residents are also demanding that the central authorities reverse immediately the reappointment of the commission led by the Sekesai Makwavarara who CHRA says is semi-literate, and hold elections..
Mabhoo said the association was prepared to mobilise thousands of residents and if it meant filling up all the police stations in Harare, so be it.
Margaret Mavhura, 33, from Mufakose was caught up in the demonstration and frightened when arrested. But she said the experience had hardened her resolve and she signed up to CHRA.
Shamiso Matari, 37, of Mabvuku, said the police beat up the arrested demonstrators, adding,”If more people become brave and join the struggle, Harare will be a better place for us all.”
Thirty-year-old Getrude Kuudzehwe, who joined the protest from Kuwadzana Extension, said,”We were baptised … Harare is ours and Sekesai Makwavarara and her other opportunists must be prepared to face thousands of us on a weekly basis.”-Own Correspondent