Follow-up letter on Zimbabwe – fear continues to be the state’s instrument of absolute control
18 January 2019.
Dear All
I write on the fifth day of the shutdown in Zimbabwe with still no Internet access, although it has come on intermittently. As a result, it is difficult to ascertain the extent of the atrocities taking place all around us.
I spent the entire day yesterday at the Rotten Road Magistrates’ Court with members of the press, church leaders and concerned citizens, waiting for Pastor Evan Mawarire, initiator of the peaceful #ThisFlag social media campaign, to appear. He was arrested by the police at his home on 16 January.
In court, the State added the charge of ‘subversion of a constitutional government by unconstitutional means’, which is a serious offence. The only evidence referred to by the State was a video that Pastor Mawarire put out on social media immediately after President Emmerson Mnangagwa, flanked by his vice president, General Constantino Chiwenga, announced a more than 150% fuel price increase. The video called for people to stay at home in protest, but specifically for no violence.
Having waited all day, the case only began at 5.30pm. Beatrice Mtetwa, a leading human rights lawyer who has been internationally recognised for her defence of journalists and press freedom – and who has herself been beaten up by the police while on trumped-up charges – has been representing Pastor Mawarire.
Ms Mtetwa stated in court that she had a copy of the video and the transcript, if the State was not able to produce it. The prosecutor admitted that he had not seen the video, even though this was the only evidence being led by him.
The prosecutor then complained that if the case was to go on any longer, he would have to go home in the dark. He asked the magistrate rather to remand the accused pastor in custody so that they could continue the case the next day.
The magistrate complied with the prosecutor’s request and Pastor Mawarire was led off to the police cells.
The entire case was a charade. I could not help feeling that a country without honourable judges who have the conviction to deliver justice – because they fear their political masters – is a country that is doomed. We hope and pray that justice returns to Zimbabwe.
It is deeply concerning that right now, despite the international coverage of the events unfolding in Zimbabwe, police and army personnel are continuing to go door-to-door in the high density suburbs, breaking down doors and beating up people. I have heard of people hiding in ceilings and trunks to save themselves from being beaten by soldiers and police.
Workers who are attempting to get to work have been stopped by the army and given the choice of being beaten with sjamboks (heavy whips) or rolling in the mud.
I spoke to as many people as possible during the course of the day to find out what was happening on the ground. In one instance, I was told that an entire family has been beaten, even children under the age of 10 years.
It seems inconceivable that the invitation to President Mnangagwa to attend the World Economic Forum in Davos (22-25 January) should not be withdrawn while atrocities of this nature are taking place at his watch.
Because the Internet has been shut down again, no bank cards are able to work and nobody has cash because hard currency has been taken from private banks by the Reserve Bank for government use. Shops are in some instances only allowing 10 people at a time to enter, fearing that their desperation will lead to looting.
In Harare, some shops even managed to open yesterday but there is desperation because many people have no food in their homes and the staple food of mealie meal (corn meal) has already run out in some outlets.
We have had reports of soldiers in civilian clothes encouraging looting in order to bring the situation to where a state of emergency can be declared.
A feeling of utter hopelessness is descending on the nation. As Pastor Mawarire said yesterday, “I am very, very disappointed.” When we talked about it, our disappointment was in the President, the government, the justice system and the entire State clampdown which has spread deep fear yet again across the country.
Zimbabwe became an independent nation in 1980. Just three years later, the notorious Gukurahundi massacres began, during which between 20,000 and 30,000 men, women and children are estimated to have been murdered. They were initiated by the then Prime Minister Robert Mugabe, when Mr Mnangagwa was Minister of State Security. The objective was to eliminate the opposition and generate the fear that would control the people. Fear and the subversion of justice have been two key mechanisms that have enabled the ruling ZANU PF elite to remain in power for 39 years.
It is clear that with the injustices and brutality that have been perpetrated for so long by the system, with Mr Mnangagwa having been a key enforcer throughout, fear has been the key instrument for control.
And since Mugabe was forced to step down in November 2017, nothing has changed in this regard.
We continue to ask for your prayers as we face this time of escalating fear, uncertainty and anguish.
Ben Freeth
Executive Director
Mike Campbell Foundation
Harare, Zimbabwe
