This morning five of us traveled to Chikurubi to visit Cde Linda Masarira, to offer solidarity, bring some supplies and generally check up on her.
When we arrived at the gates of the complex and exited the kombi, we were greeted by an alarming sight. A whole truck-full of uniformed police, an equal number of prison officers, at least one armed with a rifle, and several plain-clothes officers. All this apparently mobilized for our visit.
When we entered the gate and presented our identification, we were told only one would be allowed to enter. The rest turned around to wait outside. Then a senior officer rebuked his junior about this, and we were all called inside.
The gates were closed and locked while we were interrogated on our names, our details were recorded again and again. Several very aggressive officers took us to the restrooms to do a thorough search on us. They were pretty rude and threatening. They insulted us for carrying flags, saying ‘Don’t you know people died for this flag?’ Indeed, that sacrifice is WHY we carry the flag. Because people died for our freedom, yet we are harassed and treated like scum in our own country. What would those who laid down their lives think about that?
Eventually, we were allowed to visit Linda, whilst several plain-clothes officers stood within centimeters, denying us even the illusion of privacy, and rushing us to finish our visit.
The way we are being treated is indicative of a paranoid state that views its own citizens as the enemy. It is infuriating to realize that in all this, Linda has not committed any crime, yet has been behind bars for over a month.
#Tajamuka