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CHRA vows to continue with demonstrations in Harare
Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA)
July 20, 2006

Harare- Residents here have vowed to press ahead with more demonstrations to force the government to the negotiating table over the issue of collapsed service delivery and the illegal commission running the affairs of the City of Harare.

The residents (18) were today released from the police holding cells after paying $250 000 admission of guilty fines. They were charged for contravening Section 7 (b) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act (Chapter 10:15).

In separate interviews immediately after their release from police custody today at the Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA) city offices at Daventry House, the residents vowed to continue holding marches and demonstrations within the city centre and in their respective residential areas until Harare was restored to them.

Israel Mabhoo, the Acting Chairperson of CHRA said service delivery in Harare had collapsed to the extent of non-existence.

"Our arrest by the police was a blessing in disguise," he said. "This is the beginning of more demonstrations to come until we are able to sit down and be consulted as residents. We will continue as CHRA to demonstrate against the illegal commission running the City of Harare until the billing system is rectified, until an elected mayor and councillors are in place and until the government recognise that residents want a clean city."

He said the residents want to be consulted in budget formulation as well as on crucial policy decisions. Mabhoo said the Association was prepared to mobilise thousands of residents and if it meant filling up all the police stations in Harare, let it be so.

Margaret Mavhura, 33, a resident from Mufakose, who was caught up during the demonstration, said her arrest had initially shaken her confidence but when she ended up in police holding cells, she believes she is now more prepared to take part in more demonstrations to bring sanity to Harare.

Mavhura said: "I have become a member of CHRA through this demonstration. I urge more residents to become active in CHRA actions as this is the only way Harare can be restored to its rightful owners."

Shamiso Matari, 37 of Mabvuku said: "We were assaulted during arrest and more people were severely assaulted and injured in the process. If more people become brave and join the struggle, Harare will be a better place for us all."

Fibion Mugadzahweta, 62, of Kambuzuma said: "If we have not achieved our objective of changing the face of Harare, we will not stop demonstrating. The arrest and detention has actually strengthened our resolve. We will continue to mobilise for action on the streets of Harare and in our residential areas."

Getrude Kuudzehwe, 30, of Kuwadzana Extension said the detention by the police had given them the courage they need to mobilise for real and sustained demonstrations.

"We were baptised," she said. "We are now the heroes of the residents’ struggle and we will leave nothing to chance in our demands for good local governance. Harare is ours and Sekesai Makwavarara and her other opportunists must be prepared to face thousands of us on a weekly basis."

The residents said there was no reason for hundreds of residents to get into town to demonstrate and later run away from the police because the struggle has to be won in numbers.

Makwiridza Shumba Musarurwa, 60, of Hatcliffe said he was disappointed to see some people running away from the police. He said it is crucial that people learn to confront their oppressors with vigour and determination, and develop cold feet at the sight of armed policemen.

"We should fill up the police stations in Harare and demonstrate our capacity to mobilise Harare residents," he said.

The struggle continues. Aluta contiunua!

The residents took to the street on Wednesday 19 July 2006 to march to Town House to hand over a petition with a number of demands owing to collapsed service delivery, the inconsistent billing system, the illegal re-appointment of the commission running the City of Harare.

They are demanding that the government immediately reverses the re-appointment of the commission led by the semi-literate Sekesai Makwavarara and the subsequent holding of mayoral and council elections.

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