Anger flares in high density areas

In Tafara and Mabvuku, the poorest people have long endured a low standard of living as a direct consequence of local government’s incompetence, corruption and neglect. But at least they could find fuel for their cookers, water to wash their dishes, bathe themselves and keep their streets free of refuse and the stink of human waste. That was in another time.

Now the outlook is bleak, and what was a daily struggle has become an impossible nightmare. They have started to make spontaneous protests, to throw stones and wield sticks and run amok. The resulting damage to property has brought a fierce response by the forces of law and order.

It affects us all, no matter how careful we may have been to steer clear of politics, or how ‘nicodemously’ we carried a party card of one side or the other (or both) as a shield and protector. The proudest housewife, reveling in the admiration or envy of her neighbors and the love and respect of her family, has been reduced to the level of an inhabitant of a squatter camp. Even refugees in Dafur and other African hellholes get occasional help with water and elementary sanitation services brought to them by strangers.

As if this suffering was not enough, the people now face the terrible consequences of their wholly understandable expression of anger and frustration. They are entrapped by the Public Order And Security Act (POSA). They probably didn’t know just how draconian this law is, because it has hitherto been applied mostly to people like civic minded NGOs or journalists or cheeky lawyers.

When high-density dwellers finally overcame any fear of the all-pervasive police and took whatever action they thought would bring their plight to the attention of the authorities, they could not have known how utterly cynical and cold the final response would be. A harsh reminder of the prospect for those deemed to be leaders of the recent disturbances in the townships is Section 17 of POSA, which has this to say about Public Violence:

(1) Any person who, acting in concert with one or more other persons, forcibly:

(a) disturbs the peace, security or order of the public or any section of the public; or

(b) invades the rights of other people;

intending such disturbance or invasion or realising that there is a risk or possibility that such disturbance or invasion may occur, shall be guilty of public violence and liable to a fine not exceeding $100,000 or imprisonmentfor a period not exceeding 10 years or both.

The Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA), a predominantly voluntary group of public-spirited people, is the leading organization showing concern for the plight of the people. It has made a call for:

The suspension of increased rates and charges, an end to the imposed Makwavarara Commission,the restoration of a democratically-elected Executive Mayor and Council, and dialogue between residents and Municipal officials to seek a way forward.

CHRA has stated that it did not organize the demonstrations or participate in any way but it recognizes and supports the inalienable right of citizens to protest against injustice. “CHRA salutes those residents who have the courage to stand up to this brutal and repressive regime. Their example should encourage residents in other areas to take action to demand acceptable service delivery.”

There remains, of course, the inevitable political spin-off of all this mayhem. There has been far too much interference in civic matters by the ruling Zanu (PF) party and now that the majority of Harare’s voters have rejected that party, it would seem that they will be left to stew in their own juice.

The added cruelty of the law is just another jab in the already bleeding side of normally law-abiding people. History abounds with examples of whole populations exploding with anger and bringing their tormentors to regret their actions. CHRA’s appeal may well prove to be the last bid for a peaceful resolution of a highly inflammatory situation.