Assaulted Zimbabwe Protesters Vow to Stay Put At Africa Unity Square
Lynda Masarira of Zimbabwe Women in Politics said they won’t abandon the protest though some of them were assaulted by suspected state security agents.
WASHINGTON — A protest by civic society activists over Zimbabwe’s deteriorating socio-economic situation at Africa Unity Square continues despite the protesters’ harassment by suspected state security agents at the weekend. The protestors, who have been vowing to stay put at the place for 16 days and 16 nights, claim that the state security agents took away some of their mobile phones after assaulting them. They are drawn from the Zimbabwe Women in Politics Alliance, Zimbabwe Activists Alliance, Occupy Africa Unity Square Movement and members of the public. They started the protest six days ago. Lynda Masarira of Zimbabwe Women in Politics said they won’t abandon the protest though some of them were assaulted by suspected state security agents. "The harassment will not deter us. We are facing so many challenges in our daily lives with no jobs, corruption, no money in the banks and failing to send our children to school and yet government continues to do nothing. The scare tactics will not move us," said Masarira. She said the protesters were currently drafting a petition, which will be handed over to parliamentarians detailing their disapproval at how the country is being allegedly mismanaged by the ruling Zanu PF party. "We will be calling a press conference Tuesday to discuss the way forward with our petition which we are currently finalizing," said Masarira. Police were not readily available for comment on allegations made by the civil society activists. African Unity Square has become the symbol of democracy following a campaign by abducted political activist, Itai Dzamara, who used to stage protests at the place calling for President Robert Mugabe to leave office for allegedly failing to properly run Zimbabwe. Dzamara was abducted by suspected state security agents a year ago and efforts to locate him have been in vain. His brother, Patson, recently released a picture showing a person in detention with hands tied on the back and head covered in some kind of bandages. He alleged that Itai was abducted by the military intelligence, a claim that was dismissed by the Zimbabwe National Army as baseless.