BR> control exercise. The peaceful
demo included many school children and adults who joined in as the
group passed through the poor
high-density suburb of Sakubva. Holding placards and singing songs like
“Akuna upfu” (There is no
mealie-meal), “Chingwa chiripi?” (Where is the bread) and “Tofa
nenzara!” (Shall we die of hunger), the group danced and interacted with local
residents about the price cuts.
Magodonga Malhangu, a WOZA coordinator, said they were airing their
views about the government
exercise that forced businesses to operate at a loss and left shelves
empty. She added that there
were no arrests this time and police did not interfere. “We only saw
one police officer and people
started singing “Mupurisa urikuona zvirikuitika? (Do you see what is
happening) and he just walked the other way.” said Mahlangu.
The Mutare demo was the continuation of a campaign they started in
Bulawayo a week ago when they
delivered an open letter to business owners, manufacturers and the
ministers of Industry and Commerce and Home Affairs. Mahlangu said they are
demanding meaningful economic reforms, instead
of the ill-planned price cuts that produced bad results. She said from
the beginning people on the ground have been very cautious about the price cuts.
Although they were happy to buy basic items
at reduced prices, they were always aware it was a government gimmick
to increase support ahead of the elections next year.
The protest began at TM supermarket, and proceeded through Sakubva
township where the numbers almost doubled as local residents joined in.
Responding to accusations that WOZA and MOZA were targeting the wrong
people by demonstrating at
TM and other shops, she said they were not blaming all the shops, but
the few corrupt ones who were selling to police officers and the uniformed
forces who beat up people in the queues and buy the reduced products themselves.
She explained that they wanted the business owners to bring the people’s message
to government since they have access to the authorities. –
SW RAdio Africa
Post published in: News