On the 23rd April at 10 am I and other members of WOZA and MOZA gathered at Kuwadzana 2 ZESA sub office to submit and complain about unplanned power cuts and extra high electricity bills. The peaceful demonstration then started and we raised our papers and banners written our concern about the treatment from ZESA. This only took between 5-10 minutes before police pounced on us.

Three police constables on bicycles were the first to order us to sit down but we were already seated. Then about five more armed policemen arrived and fired a gunshot in the air ordering everybody to hold each other’s hands and march to the police station. On the way I was beaten on my back because I was moving slowly. On arrival in the police station we were told to sit down on an open space and they started taking down our names first with males then followed by females numbering 20 and 36 respectively then 4 children of between 6 months to 2 years.

At 3pm we then left to Central Police station boarding a police open truck escorted by three officers armed with AK 47 guns. At the station we were taken to Law and Order section. In the room which was too small for our number, there were 4 detectives who started interrogating us and threatening us saying you will rot in jail for six months, you will not make it to the 2008 March and for those who do not have babies this day from here you will not bare children and a lot of abusive language.

One detective Chari entered the room holding a baton stick beating everyone on our back including old women who were with us. He started asking questions like, who is the leader of the group? Who was holding the banner? The surprising response to them, there was no one who answered. Thanks to our unity. He continued again beating everybody. Our lady Ndlovu was made to stand up to answer these questions again but she said nothing, she was beaten heavily on her hips and back. On that occasion a junior officer was walking around stepping on our back and buttocks with heavy shoes asking – Did you ever read this paper? When it was my turn he pressed me on my genital organs forcing me to tell him but I told him I don’t know. It was a terrible and disgusting experience for me that even I am psychologically affected.

After the beatings we were taken in two halves to the cells but we were beaten each by a lady when leaving the room. Thanks to WOZA Organisation, which offered us supper during that terrible night. In the cells we were overpopulated others have to sleep in the passage, which was used as a urinary since there were fewer toilets to service all of us. In the morning we were selected from other people at 9 am our food that day was bananas and bread we consumed that time. The detectives from Law and Order were already waiting for us and forcing us to eat faster than normal. They led us back to their rooms again then one named Djemba Djemba started threatening us saying “now is D-Day for you. Everyone has to say the truth because we are going to pin you, those without children you wouldn’t have one.”

They separated us by dividing with those with money to pay fines of $2500 to go to Room 22 and those who didn’t have left behind. I was among those who have got the fine but we were few about 20. In room 22 we were interviewed by 2 male officers and I lady. Their questions were asking for Address/Political affiliation/Home/ Village/ Friends/ occupation and leaders of WOZA who everybody said we don’t know where they live. During that interview Detective Chari entered went straight to the ladies beating them amongst them a child who was on the back of her mother. He did 2 turns on everyone. He started threatening us saying, “Now we’ve got your names. We will follow up each one of you those who gave us false addresses if we caught you then it will be your last breath and that 2008 you wrote here its unfortunate because all of you are not getting there”. After paying our fines it was surprising to our charge. They charged us with “Disorderly conduct in a public place” without specification what kind of disorder we were doing. The charge is only payable by fine as to what was earlier suggested under Public Order Security Act (POSA).

Another who acts like a senior came and said I have got time I should have dumped you in Beitbridge then I will see how will you come back and support WOZA again. He forced us to tell and say we will have to forget that name WOZA and if you hear it you will run away. But to our unity none of us denounce, blame and accuse our beloved WOZA Organisation rather we get united throughout the ill treatment they gave us. At 2pm we were released but leaving others who were said to be beaten again. From the Central station our leaders were there gave us our lunch and took us to the hospital. There myself I was taken and interviewed. The doctors were hardworking and asked to tell everywhere were I feel pain. I was given tablets of different types and ones, which were to treat my genitals, which were in very strong pain from that officer who kicked.

I wish to thank WOZA/MOZA Organisation who took responsibility of our welfare from food, supper, breakfast and lunch during these two traumatizing days. At the hospital we were treated accordingly and by now I feeling back to normal only my skin itching from bedbugs and lice from the cells, which sucked my blood.