Zvorwadza acquires helmet

By Tarisai Machakaire

Police should consider deploying new tactics during encounters with National Vendors Union of Zimbabwe chairperson Sten Zvorwadza who now spots a helmet.

Zvorwadza’s latest acquisition — a full face helmet — came after he was brutally assaulted by police officers while petitioning to have Local Government minister Saviour Kasukuwere arrested for alleged corruption.

He sustained an injury on the arm, which needed over two weeks in a sling.

The defiant pro-democracy activist said he realised that police usually go for the head hence he ended up injuring his arm in a bid to protect himself from sustaining a severe head injury.

“I have realised that our open heads are not suitable for batons as police have the tendency of beating demonstrators so that they have blood clots and develop serious health problems,” Zvorwadza said.

“I bought this soon after I was assaulted by police while petitioning for Kasukuwere’s arrest. We realised that government is not willing to reform and tends to employ violence and instability as its catch for social movement leaders.”

Zvorwadza says more helmets had been acquired for front line demonstrators as the struggle to end President Robert Mugabe’s rule continues.

He seemed not deterred by a recent order handed down by Justice George Chiweshe upholding the police ban on demonstrations in Harare.

“I don’t want to believe that demos were banned, Chiweshe simply sided with an oppressor and until he goes to Mugabe and causes him to reverse the signature he penned on the Constitution, then demonstrations were never banned,” he said.

“If they felt that we are in a state of emergency, then they should have petitioned the United Nations so that other countries would assist with peace-keeping in Zimbabwe.

“Our helmets are going to be black, red and yellow — and all we want is to protect our bodies because once lashed by a baton one risks developing kidney problems that result from blood clots.”

This coming week, Zvorwadza and other demonstrators head to the United Nations offices to petition them to withdraw Zimbabwean peace-keepers operating in other countries.

“ . . . it is as good as they are exporting violence when Zimbabwean soldiers and police participate in peace-keeping in other countries. They must come back here.”

Part of Zvorwadza’s work in activism includes the formation of Restoration of Human Rights in 2007 aimed at tackling the brutality of State security on citizens and failed policies of the government.

In 2008, he pioneered the formation of Zimbabwe Vendors Association and later National Vendors Union Zimbabwe in 2014.

“In the years between 2003 and 2013, Zanu PF trumped-up charges against me but lost all of them. It actually inspired me and I will not be discouraged by intimidation or torture,” Zvorwadza said.

“It is not that I expect any form of political power but just want Zimbabweans to realise that there is strength in unity and that no qualification is needed to participate in the governance of our country.”

Zvorwadza’s political career began at the tender age of 11 and he recalls attending the inauguration of Mugabe as the country’s prime minister then. Daily News