The group, carrying symbolic ‘coffins’ and football style red cards, were stopped from reaching Parliament’s doors by a line of riot police, who then confiscated the coffins. According to a WOZA statement, a 30 minute stand-off ensued whilst the activists were forced to use alternative routes to deliver signed WOZA ‘anti abuse of power’ petitions.
“During this time a huge group of passers-by gathered to read the flyers, watch the drama unfolding, and to comment on the electricity issue. Members sang Shona language songs, calling for removal of the ZESA monopoly. When the riot police became aggressive, they switched to song, Udzvanyiriri ndiwo unei (so what is this oppression all about) and ‘munu wese ane kodzero’ (everyone has rights, even police officers). Various members took the opportunity to address the gathering and bemoaned the challenges of continual power cuts and the need to spend money on alternative means of light and fuel to cook food,” WOZA said.
The peaceful protesters were then forced to scatter after a police van approached the group, driving at speed. The police officers then took the chance to swell their numbers using reinforcements and ordered the remaining WOZA members to disperse.
The petitions, which have been signed by more than one hundred thousand people, calls for the electricity monopoly enjoyed by ZESA to end. This is part of WOZA’s ‘anti abuse of power campaign’ which has so far involved delivery of ‘yellow cards’ and now ‘red cards’ to suburban and central officers of the power utility.
WOZA is urging Parliament’s Anti Corruption and Monopolies Committee to take action on the matter, amid threats by ZESA to raise rates regardless of ongoing power cuts and shortages.
Post published in: News