I returned yesterday from a week in Scotland UK, and a week in Maryland USA. I presented at the Formation Workshop for Redemptorist Formators at our monastery in Kinnoul Perth. The Redemptorist workshop was a wonderful opportunity to meet with confreres from the Northern Hemisphere just as the one in Bangkok was my first encoutner with the East and with our confreres of Asia, Oceania and the Pacific. Its always good to be with a bunch of our guys - the Reds are great. We had confreres from the USA, Canada, the UK, Austria, Slovakia, Poland, Ireland, South Africa, and Zimbabwe at the Scotland workshop. I felt sad at the end of the week of my presentation, when I had just about come to know the guys, to have to move on.
In Maryland I was happy to be reunited with the Redemptorist Community that hosted me when I studied at Loyola. Two of the confreres have just been moved; John Hamrogue to Brooklyn NY and John Lavin to Boston MA. I was fortunate to be there in time for their farewell Mass and party in the Caroll Gardens! I was able to spend some time with each of the members of the Annapolis community and to catch up with each of them. I went out for dinner with Jack Kingsbury, Andy Costello and Pat Flynn on both the Sundays that I was there. It was so nice to go through memory lane and to have uproarious laughter about the memorable lighter moments of my stay in the States.
I did get a chance to meet a good number of the faithful of St Mary's Parish Annapolis. Many people seemed as they were when I left last year, and some seemed to have changed much. Many of the young people have become young adults in the space on one year! It was just like madness when i walked into the St Mary's offices on the Saturday morning and there were all those screams and shouts for joy. I felt like a hero returning home! Harry the musician stood up to the occassion and played Pachabel canon for me at one of the Masses! I was tremendously impressed by the interest in and concern for Zimbabwe that the people of St Mary's showed. Because they know me they have followed events here very closely as they unfolded and asked for my safety all the time. It was very reassuring to know that there is that prayerful support for our cause and plight. It is very encouraging to know that we are not alone.
I visited Loyola College in Maryland, my Alma mater. I met some staff and faculty. I had called earlier and scheduled a meeting with the Admissions Officer David Newton and my Clinical Supervisor Dr Danielle LaSure-Bryant. We had a very good time together and they listened to my Zimbabwe stories with much interest. Just being at Loyola brought back many good memories of my stay in the States. I did catch up through the phone with classmates Laura and Hope and Karlyin actually made it to dinner with me.
I visited my friend Booby in the "Hood" of Annapolis (a black neighbourhood). Unfortunately, I was not able to see Booby, but his grandmother and his mother were there. They were both very happy to see "Mr Williams, the fine gentleman from Africa" as they call me. I regret not having had the time to allow them to teach me to eat crabs again. I went to the barbershop where I used to have my hair cut in the Hood, just to check out on the brothers and to "cut-back" (free speech as practised in the barbershops) just a little bit, if you you know what I am saying. Ah, I could have had my hair cut everyday of the week just for the "cutting-back" with brothers.
I also visited my other clinical placement site at the Calvert County Hospital's Crisis Intervention Center. I just walked in announced, like anyone in crisis coming for counselling. Now didn't I make the receptionist, Brenda, nearly faint! She just couldn't believe that it was I who she was seeing before her. It was so good seeing the wonderful counsellors who taught me the ropes of crisis counselling, which is ever so helpful on the Zimbabwean pastoral scene. Cindy who I did children's group with and Christine who trained me to do the intakes and to take the hot line calls, Janet my site supervisor, Paul the specialist for children and Allison one of the senior therapists were all there. Timothy from Kenya who interned at the same time with me and who stayed on was also there. It was a wonderful afternoon with much glorious laughter.
I caught up with some of the Zimbabweans in the Diaspora who were part of my extended community in USA. I drove up to PA to see Moira, Taka and Memory and we had some sadza! I was again just in time before Moira moves on to Canada to join her mother and Taka to Texas next month. I was able to find half a dozen Fanta's to take to Brenda and Thandi's house, as I always did when I visited them. Shingai came to Annapolis and spent the good part of Saturday with me. We went to Rumshead Tavern and had a good happy hour savouring one of Maryland's finest brews, the Copperhead Ale on tap!
The rest of the Zimbos, I was not able to see - you could only fit so much into a week. I did call Reuben and his family in Texas. Noel in North Carolina called everyday and chided me for coming for only a short time. Kuda called me from Connecticut and I was able to talk to him and his parents who are visiting from Zimbabwe.Fungisai called from Virginia and Girley from California, Chiyedza called from PA and Lillian from Texas as word began spreading among the Zimbos that I was in the States. It was nice talking again to these friends from Zimbabwe and to catch up with their life stories. Each of them spoke of the pain of watching their beloved motherland go though such an enormous struggle about which they can only do precious little to help. We shared our helplessness and encouraged each other to hope for a better Zimbabwe.
Most people who I talked to in the States, and in the UK, were worried about my going back to a Zimbabwe whose many dangers I had told. Some were courageous enough to tell me that they thought I was a fool to go back. I did not take offense. I know it is utterly foolish to come back to Zimbabwe having had a chance to go out. Many people in Zimbabwe would pay an arm and a leg to get out of this country now. I really enjoyed my time in the "free world" for those two weeks. I could not possibly abandon Zimbabwe at this time. It would be hard for me to have an appetite and to find sleep if I jumped of this ship now. So I came back. I came back because I believe very strongly that Zimbabwe is where God is calling me to be. This is where I can do the will of God and fulfill my life's mission at this time. I am very grateful that I have the opportunity to leave because that helps me to see things differentlly and with new clarity each time. My short time away has re-energized me and re-enkindled in me the fire that I need to keep burning for Zimbabwe. It was a well deserved break and I am ready to pick up the struggle where I left and continue to share hope with those who live daily in helpless hopelessness.
Showing posts with label journal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label journal. Show all posts
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Thursday, June 19, 2008
After Harare Central
19 June 2008
I went into the Central Police Station this morning. Mr. Mudiwa Mundawarara, the area chairperson for Nazareth House accompanied me. Everyone had advised me to go with someone, and Mudiwa had voluntered to come with me as soon as he got my message. We got to the Suburban Section and found Chief Superintendent Marange's office. Sgt Mutero, who I know from Mabvuku, (his cousins Luke and Alphonce joined the Redemptorists and left) welcomed us into a waiting area. We had to wait for about 15 mins before the Chief Supt could see us. We waited in silence. The morning activity in the waiting office did not seem to distract us from our pensive waiting. Finally we were led into the Chief Supt's office. He welcomed us very warmly and talked to us nicely, in between answering the phone and his cell phone. He did not seem to mind my coming in with Mudiwa. We had thought that he might object to that mistaking Mudiwa for a lawyer. He told us that he had recieved my complaint and asked me to elaborate. I told him that I had recieved death threats that had propmted me to make a report to the local police station. I told him about how in the past month I have been the subject of discussion at party meetings because I prevented the people from attending these meetings while I said mass with them. I told him also of the interest shown in our social projects by those who would have wanted to use their popularity in their campaigns. He listened very intently. He assured us that he was going to ensure that the church and its priests are not molested. He promised to get the local police chief to have a meeting with political leadership in Hatcliffe and tell them to desist from harrassing the people. He told us that we could contact him or come to him at any time if we needed help. He reiterated that the Church should not be prevented from doing its work.
I was tremendously relieved by the Chief Supt's warmth. My relief came mainly from knowing that what I had feared most was not the case. I was not going to be locked up or beaten by the police. However, I found the Chief Supt rather too nice. There was a real disconnect between this affable man and the reality that we are living with. If the ploice were as caring and concerned like this, then how come so many people are being harrassed without redress and justice, let alone protection? Whatever is the truth, there is a clear line between the well intentioned police and the militias that seem to be a law unto themselves and above the police. I was relieved to know that I was going to walk away from the police station a free man and unmolested, but I know deep down that the real danger of the marauding mobs can only be underestimated at one's own peril.
We left the police station and headed to Mudiwa's office in the CBD of Harare for a cup of tea and to debrief. Over tea we shared our immediate sense of relief and our continued fears of what might yet happen. We shared a prayer and I headed away. I stopped by the bookshop to see Br Tendai who, like many friends, had been waiting anxiously for the outcome of my early morning visit to Harare Central. I also made phone calls to Richard Reid and Tryvis letting them know I was alright and safe. I sent sms to most of the people who were waiting anxioulsy to hear about me. On my way home I stopped at Borrowdale Police Station to see the Officer in Charge. I told him about my visit with his superiors. He gave me a form to fill so that our house can be put under police monitoring and protection. It helped to know that at least the police are on alert should anything happen. My big worry right now is a night raid on the house. At St Anthony's Mission is Zaka the priest's house was burnt down and fortunately the priests were all not at the mission during the attack. The priest in Tanda, Fr Maringe, was attacked together with two seminarians. There were severly beated. The Dominican Sisters have evacuated their sisters and closed the house at Gokomere this mornig following threats of unspecified acts of violnce. At the meeting for Diocesan Priests from all over the country held at Chishawasha this week every priest spoke of the threats and intimidation that they are living with.
I went to have lunch with Richard and Wenceslaus at Lollie's. On my way, past Chisipite, I saw about 100 youths clad in Zanu PF campaign regalia marching along the Enterprise Road. I had seen groups of about ten all the way along Harare Drive from the Rolf/Gaydon intersection. They were carrying posters and placing them on trees, walls and utility poles.
I went to Hatcliffe after lunch to say mass at 2:00pm. There were only about 12 people at Mass today, where we normally have 30 or 40. I talked to the people after mass and there was no need to prompt them into telling the woes of the times. They were all talking about the horrible murder of Mrs Chiroto, the ubducted MDC councillor's wife. What was causing the people much pain is that they have not been allowed to gather at the Chiroto house to mourn her. People are greatly shocked by the calousness of the crime.
I drove to the market place in front of the shopping center in Hatcliffe. I bought a bundle of fire wood for $1Billion and put it into the boot of my car. Then I parked the car and mingeld with a group of truck drivers who were waiting to be hired. Most of then are Catholics. They told me that business was slow, almost non existent. There were afraid of being hired out to ferry people who want to move out of the township. Actually no one is being allowed to leave, even though many people would like to go where they may feel safe. Again without being prompted they began to express their sheer disgust and shock at the murder and mutilation of Mrs Chiroto. There were totally dombfounded by the fact that mourners have been told not to gather at her house. One of the men is a neighbour of the Chirotos. He spoke very well of Mrs Chiroto as a very quiet and respectable woman. She was only 25yrs old and the second wife of Mr Chiroto. His first wife died a few years ago.
There is a Zanu PF man who hangs out with these men, who have obvious MDC sympathies. He manages the Flee-Mkt at the shopping center. He too was shocked by what happened to the Chirotos. He told how Mr Chiroto had approached him wanting a market table to sell some wares. He had told Chiroto that it would be difficult for him to be accepted in the Zanu PF controlled market. Instead he had suggested to Choroto that his wife could take up a stall in her own name. Mrs Chiroto had come to him and he gave her a market stall. She had operated it with no problems, even though her husband is MDC. I was really touched by the sincerity of members of the warring parties at this level. It goes to prove that violence is not being carried out on local people by local people. Hired hands are at work. The militia is made up of outsiders who do not have the sympathies and sensitivities that local people have for each other across the party lines. Left to themselves local people have much respect for each other, albeit their political differences.
I went into the Central Police Station this morning. Mr. Mudiwa Mundawarara, the area chairperson for Nazareth House accompanied me. Everyone had advised me to go with someone, and Mudiwa had voluntered to come with me as soon as he got my message. We got to the Suburban Section and found Chief Superintendent Marange's office. Sgt Mutero, who I know from Mabvuku, (his cousins Luke and Alphonce joined the Redemptorists and left) welcomed us into a waiting area. We had to wait for about 15 mins before the Chief Supt could see us. We waited in silence. The morning activity in the waiting office did not seem to distract us from our pensive waiting. Finally we were led into the Chief Supt's office. He welcomed us very warmly and talked to us nicely, in between answering the phone and his cell phone. He did not seem to mind my coming in with Mudiwa. We had thought that he might object to that mistaking Mudiwa for a lawyer. He told us that he had recieved my complaint and asked me to elaborate. I told him that I had recieved death threats that had propmted me to make a report to the local police station. I told him about how in the past month I have been the subject of discussion at party meetings because I prevented the people from attending these meetings while I said mass with them. I told him also of the interest shown in our social projects by those who would have wanted to use their popularity in their campaigns. He listened very intently. He assured us that he was going to ensure that the church and its priests are not molested. He promised to get the local police chief to have a meeting with political leadership in Hatcliffe and tell them to desist from harrassing the people. He told us that we could contact him or come to him at any time if we needed help. He reiterated that the Church should not be prevented from doing its work.
I was tremendously relieved by the Chief Supt's warmth. My relief came mainly from knowing that what I had feared most was not the case. I was not going to be locked up or beaten by the police. However, I found the Chief Supt rather too nice. There was a real disconnect between this affable man and the reality that we are living with. If the ploice were as caring and concerned like this, then how come so many people are being harrassed without redress and justice, let alone protection? Whatever is the truth, there is a clear line between the well intentioned police and the militias that seem to be a law unto themselves and above the police. I was relieved to know that I was going to walk away from the police station a free man and unmolested, but I know deep down that the real danger of the marauding mobs can only be underestimated at one's own peril.
We left the police station and headed to Mudiwa's office in the CBD of Harare for a cup of tea and to debrief. Over tea we shared our immediate sense of relief and our continued fears of what might yet happen. We shared a prayer and I headed away. I stopped by the bookshop to see Br Tendai who, like many friends, had been waiting anxiously for the outcome of my early morning visit to Harare Central. I also made phone calls to Richard Reid and Tryvis letting them know I was alright and safe. I sent sms to most of the people who were waiting anxioulsy to hear about me. On my way home I stopped at Borrowdale Police Station to see the Officer in Charge. I told him about my visit with his superiors. He gave me a form to fill so that our house can be put under police monitoring and protection. It helped to know that at least the police are on alert should anything happen. My big worry right now is a night raid on the house. At St Anthony's Mission is Zaka the priest's house was burnt down and fortunately the priests were all not at the mission during the attack. The priest in Tanda, Fr Maringe, was attacked together with two seminarians. There were severly beated. The Dominican Sisters have evacuated their sisters and closed the house at Gokomere this mornig following threats of unspecified acts of violnce. At the meeting for Diocesan Priests from all over the country held at Chishawasha this week every priest spoke of the threats and intimidation that they are living with.
I went to have lunch with Richard and Wenceslaus at Lollie's. On my way, past Chisipite, I saw about 100 youths clad in Zanu PF campaign regalia marching along the Enterprise Road. I had seen groups of about ten all the way along Harare Drive from the Rolf/Gaydon intersection. They were carrying posters and placing them on trees, walls and utility poles.
I went to Hatcliffe after lunch to say mass at 2:00pm. There were only about 12 people at Mass today, where we normally have 30 or 40. I talked to the people after mass and there was no need to prompt them into telling the woes of the times. They were all talking about the horrible murder of Mrs Chiroto, the ubducted MDC councillor's wife. What was causing the people much pain is that they have not been allowed to gather at the Chiroto house to mourn her. People are greatly shocked by the calousness of the crime.
I drove to the market place in front of the shopping center in Hatcliffe. I bought a bundle of fire wood for $1Billion and put it into the boot of my car. Then I parked the car and mingeld with a group of truck drivers who were waiting to be hired. Most of then are Catholics. They told me that business was slow, almost non existent. There were afraid of being hired out to ferry people who want to move out of the township. Actually no one is being allowed to leave, even though many people would like to go where they may feel safe. Again without being prompted they began to express their sheer disgust and shock at the murder and mutilation of Mrs Chiroto. There were totally dombfounded by the fact that mourners have been told not to gather at her house. One of the men is a neighbour of the Chirotos. He spoke very well of Mrs Chiroto as a very quiet and respectable woman. She was only 25yrs old and the second wife of Mr Chiroto. His first wife died a few years ago.
There is a Zanu PF man who hangs out with these men, who have obvious MDC sympathies. He manages the Flee-Mkt at the shopping center. He too was shocked by what happened to the Chirotos. He told how Mr Chiroto had approached him wanting a market table to sell some wares. He had told Chiroto that it would be difficult for him to be accepted in the Zanu PF controlled market. Instead he had suggested to Choroto that his wife could take up a stall in her own name. Mrs Chiroto had come to him and he gave her a market stall. She had operated it with no problems, even though her husband is MDC. I was really touched by the sincerity of members of the warring parties at this level. It goes to prove that violence is not being carried out on local people by local people. Hired hands are at work. The militia is made up of outsiders who do not have the sympathies and sensitivities that local people have for each other across the party lines. Left to themselves local people have much respect for each other, albeit their political differences.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Harare Central: 19 June 2008
I am going into Harare Central Police Station this morning to appear before Chief Superintendent Marange, who commands the Harare Suburban District (Ph: 777639 cell: 011883311). Mr Mudiwa Mudawarara, the area committe chairperson for Nazareth House, is coming with me to represent the Parish Chairperson, Mr Ranga Zinyemba, who is oversees. I have put all my confreres, friends and clergy contacts on high alert. I really do not know what to expect at the Central Police Station. Anything is possible in the current national climate, but I hope for the best. While i live, i hope.
June Journal (leading up to the runoff elections)
Tuesday 17 June 2008
Today the team that coordinates our social development projects came to see me in the morning. They operate from our St Augustine’s Church in Hatcliffe Township. We moved their operations to the church about two months ago from the Mupandasekwa house where they had operated since their inception, in the aftermath of Operation Murambatsvina. They are currently occupying the office at the church while a three roomed building is being built for their work at the church.
The projects team expressed to me their fear of going into Hatcliffe this morning. They had received a message informing them that the house next to the Mupandasekwas was burnt last night. The gang responsible for the arson had inquired about the projects team. The new residents at the Mupandasekwa house told the assailants that the projects had since moved to the church.
I told the projects team to wait for Fr. Moyo, my assistant, who was out saying mass at Nazareth House. Fr. Moyo is the manager of the projects. Meanwhile, I told them that we may have to stop operations at the church if the situation remains a threat. Only this Sunday I had a meeting with the area committee for St Augustine’s where we decided to cancel a choir event on the 29th March because of the danger that might befall those participating in the practice sessions in the evenings. I also asked section leaders to stop evening meetings until after the election. Any activity at the church that requires people to come out after dark has been suspended until the situation improves. We will, however, gather for funerals if needs be, but we will have to exercise extreme caution under these circumstances.
When Fr. Moyo returned he proceeded to Hatcliffe with the projects team to assess the situation. I followed shortly afterwards. I went to the house next to the Mupandasekwa house that was burnt. The owner of the house is Mr Chiroto the MDC councillor for the area who was recently voted for in the March elections. There were about ten party supporters who were not wearing any party regalia. There were also four women who must be relatives of the Chirotos. I identified myself as the local Catholic Priest come to see the carnage. I was shown into the house and saw the extensive damage to property that had been caused by the fire. Attempts to douse the fire with water had further damaged whatever had not been burnt. So, the place was totally ruined.
I asked about the Chirotos. I was told that Mr Chiroto had received a victim of political violence earlier in the evening and had rushed him to Parirenyatwa hospital. This man had had his legs and arms broken. He was from Hatcliffe extension, the squatter camp where our projects are constructing houses for the poor. It was while Mr Chiroto was out at the hospital that his house was attacked at about 8:00pm. The attackers arrived in two new grey twin cab trucks unmarked and with no number places. Eyewitnesses say that the men were clad in government-issue fatigues. They abducted Mrs Chiroto and her two year old daughter and took them away after they had set the house alight. Neighbours and party supporters came and tried to save some furniture and put out the fire. It was a difficult task since Hatcliffe Township is often without water supply. The fire brigade did come, but much damage had already occurred. The police also came, but the attackers had since gone.
No one had heard of the whereabouts of either Mr Chiroto or his wife and child. The women who were at the house are from the cooperative area of the township and were very frightened because they had been told that tonight their area will be the target of burnings. The campaign manager for Mr Chiroto’s councillor bid told me he was frightened too, that what had happened to his superior would happen to him. I commiserated with the group at Mr Chiroto’s house and there was nothing more that I could do to help them.
I went over to our church and saw the builders busy, working on the new building. There had been no incident at their site. Unfortunately the night watchman had gone off. I would have wanted to know if there had been any visitors the night before. I talked with the church caretaker, Wellington who reported that they had been no incident at the church. I told him to be on the high alert and to call me if anything happened.
My big worry concerns the huge amount of food that we have stored at the church. Two weeks ago we got a letter from Minister Goche instructing us to stop feeding the poor. I had a meeting with the SVP and social concerns people and we decided that it was safe and cautious to stop food distribution until after the elections. We had just received about two tonnes of mealie meal from CADEC. The people already knew that we have food. My fear is that they may force their way into our store and loot it. The ruling party functionaries, who are well seeded in the congregation, may demand that we release it to them so they can use it in the campaign. I have told my people that in the event that the ruling party approaches us to demand the food we will not resist them.
I left the church and drove around the township talking to people. Most people that I talked to were very frightened. They were feeling very vulnerable, knowing that they can be targeted and attacked anytime. They have seen how others have been arbitrarily singled out for attacks. All it takes is the perception, which needs not be true, that one is an MDC member. They are also frightened because the attacks that they have seen are near fatal to fatal – the breaking of limbs and skulls.
There were many young people dressed in Zanu PF party reagalia milling around the township attaching posters and distributing fliers. The general mood in the township was depressed and sombre. I was shown the camp near the high school, where the party militia is gathered and where the beatings of suspected MDC supporters are being carried out. The evenings are reported to be especially dangerous for anyone seen walking. It was reported that the militia is made up of unemployed young people from Mbare and members of the notorious Mbare criminal gang Chipangano.
When I got home, a woman from the parish called me on the phone from Hatcliffe and told me that she had been trying to get hold of me all morning. She told me that the previous day, Sunday, there had been a meeting at the house next to her. The house owner is also a parishioner whose name has been given to me. At this meeting that other parishioner gave a report of what I had preached in Church, distorting it to make it sound anti-Zanu PF. There was a heated discussion about how I must be disciplined. A pledge was made to pay a group of thugs to beat me up. The woman who called was very disturbed by this and felt that she had to tell me and warn me. I thanked for letting me know.
Later in the evening the area chairperson for our church in Hatcliffe called me to warn me of an attack against me that had been planned for this evening. My case had been the subject of discussuion at the Zanu PF rally on Sunday and it had been agreed that I must be beaten up or killed. The area chairperson was very frightened about this and begged me not to spent the night in the house. The parishioner who had called me earlier during the day had also begged me not to stay in the house at night.
This is not the first time that I have heard of such plans to harm me in the past month. There have been threats every week to the effect that I must be beaten up and killed. My case has been considered as easier to deal with than Fr. Maguire’s, who as a foreign national could only be deported. “Guri we will simply kill, for he is a local,” is what I have often head being said. I have received reports that there are parishioners who habitually go to the CIO every Sunday after mass and give a report of what I would have said in Church. Among these, have been named some long-time parish members, parish leaders, and extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist. I have already received a warning from one deputy minister Chihota, warning me not to preach politics at St Gerard’s.
The net result of all these threats and warnings has been a considerable weight on my shoulders. I often take it lightly as rumours that proliferate at a time of great socio-political instability such as we are living through. I think they are aimed at getting me to overreact, fight or run away. Then my overreaction would be used against me and against the Catholic Church, which I see as being very much the object of attack. So I have endeavoured to give the impression that I am not taking these things too seriously. I have been cautious and desisted from being provocative in my speech and sermons. Yet the threats continue to come in. As I see what is happening to innocent people who are the victims of the ongoing violence, I begin to get frightened.
The horrific scenes of Mr Chiroto’s house made me really scared for my life. It was an attack very close to home and that could easily happen to me. I felt very vulnerable. I stopped at the police station on my way home and asked to see the Officer in Charge. I told him about the attack of the Chirotos and the possibility of our church and the Mupandasekwa House being attacked. I also told him about the threats aimed at me and my fear of being attacked. He promised to send more police details to Hatcliffe. He intimated to me how the police is overwhelmed with arson cases and how it seems that no one is in control of the violent mobs. He told me that the Chiroto child had been found, alive and well, in the Mabelreign area, but both Mr and Mrs Chiroto were still unaccounted for by both the police and their relatives. I went to see the little Chiroto child in the Victim Friendly section of the police station where she was being held. I told the Officer in Charge that he was responsible for ensuring that the public was safe and protected in a time like this.
As evening set my fear became very intense. I celebrated the 5:30pm mass at St Gerard’s and struggled to hide my fear from the small group of faithful who are also living in fear. After mass parishioners shared with me the horror stories of the violence that is happening all over. They told me how bases have been set up in our neighbourhood. In Lewisham there two camps responsible for terrorising the Enterprise Road area. On Sunday parishioners going to Nazareth House on foot were force marched to the camps and beaten. After the mass those parishioners with cars had to drop those without cars at their homes, to evade the marauding militias patrolling the Enterprise Road. I also got a report from Nazareth House that our gardener was intercepted on his way to work and forced to distribute campaign material.
In the evening I made a call to our Redemptorist community house at Tafara. After so many trials I managed to talk to Fr Richard Reid and informed him of what was going on here. I tried to call the Archbishop of Harare, without success all through the day. In the evening I did manage to speak to one of his assistants, Fr Davison Lukio and told him to tell the Archbishop about my experiences and concerns. I called the Jesuit Provincial Fr Fidelis Mukonori who came to see me that same evening. I sat with him and shared with him my concerns and fears. Fr Fidelis has connections with the government and he told me that he was going to bring our security concerns to a meeting with some police commissioners that he was going to attend the following day.
I went to bet quite exhausted from the emotional turmoil of the day. I prayed for safety in the night and hoped for the best.
Wednesday 18 June 2008
Today I did not go into Hatcliffe at all since I had no business there. I talked to Arthur who heads our projects. He told me the horror stories from the townships where all hell seems to have broken loose. Medicine, one of our gardeners, asked me if his wife could stay with him at the workers quarters until after the elections. Medicine’s wife is a member of the MDC and they are afraid that she may be endangered. David, our cook, has moved his sewing machine and all his certificates and birth certificates for his children from his Warren Park home for safe keeping with us here. He is afraid that in the madness these valuable papers may be destroyed. I took Bishop Mutume, who is convalescing with us here, to St Joseph Clinic in Chishawasha just before lunch and enjoyed some calm on the short drive out of Harare. Chishawasha has its own fair share of trouble and a hit list for priests has been drawn up. A local Chishawasha village head man was beaten to death last week for failing to produce a list of opposition supports in his area.
About 4pm I had a visit from two police officers from Borrowdale Police Station. They had been sent over by the Officer in Charge who wanted my contact details. I asked them what he wanted that for. They said a senior officer wanted to talk to me. So I gave them the house and parish landline and one of my cell phone numbers. The two men were fully dressed in Zimbabwe Republic Police uniforms, the winter fatigues, but looked unusually less confident and out of place, for the usually self-sure ZRP officers. They didn’t even know their way back to the police station from here. I suspected that they could be part of the mob that we hear to have been given police uniforms for the purposes of intimidating members of the opposition. An hour after the police had left; I received a call from the Officer in Charge at Borrowdale Police Station. At least that assured me that my visitors were from the police station. We exchanged pleasantries and then he told me his superiors wanted to see me tomorrow morning at 8:00am at the Central Police Station in Harare. He said this was following up on the concerns that I had shared with him yesterday. I must go and see a Chief Superintendent Marange.
In the meantime Fr Moyo, my assistant, who spent the whole day in Hatcliffe, told me that Mrs Chiroto’s mutilated body was found. She was killed and abandoned on a roadside.
Today the team that coordinates our social development projects came to see me in the morning. They operate from our St Augustine’s Church in Hatcliffe Township. We moved their operations to the church about two months ago from the Mupandasekwa house where they had operated since their inception, in the aftermath of Operation Murambatsvina. They are currently occupying the office at the church while a three roomed building is being built for their work at the church.
The projects team expressed to me their fear of going into Hatcliffe this morning. They had received a message informing them that the house next to the Mupandasekwas was burnt last night. The gang responsible for the arson had inquired about the projects team. The new residents at the Mupandasekwa house told the assailants that the projects had since moved to the church.
I told the projects team to wait for Fr. Moyo, my assistant, who was out saying mass at Nazareth House. Fr. Moyo is the manager of the projects. Meanwhile, I told them that we may have to stop operations at the church if the situation remains a threat. Only this Sunday I had a meeting with the area committee for St Augustine’s where we decided to cancel a choir event on the 29th March because of the danger that might befall those participating in the practice sessions in the evenings. I also asked section leaders to stop evening meetings until after the election. Any activity at the church that requires people to come out after dark has been suspended until the situation improves. We will, however, gather for funerals if needs be, but we will have to exercise extreme caution under these circumstances.
When Fr. Moyo returned he proceeded to Hatcliffe with the projects team to assess the situation. I followed shortly afterwards. I went to the house next to the Mupandasekwa house that was burnt. The owner of the house is Mr Chiroto the MDC councillor for the area who was recently voted for in the March elections. There were about ten party supporters who were not wearing any party regalia. There were also four women who must be relatives of the Chirotos. I identified myself as the local Catholic Priest come to see the carnage. I was shown into the house and saw the extensive damage to property that had been caused by the fire. Attempts to douse the fire with water had further damaged whatever had not been burnt. So, the place was totally ruined.
I asked about the Chirotos. I was told that Mr Chiroto had received a victim of political violence earlier in the evening and had rushed him to Parirenyatwa hospital. This man had had his legs and arms broken. He was from Hatcliffe extension, the squatter camp where our projects are constructing houses for the poor. It was while Mr Chiroto was out at the hospital that his house was attacked at about 8:00pm. The attackers arrived in two new grey twin cab trucks unmarked and with no number places. Eyewitnesses say that the men were clad in government-issue fatigues. They abducted Mrs Chiroto and her two year old daughter and took them away after they had set the house alight. Neighbours and party supporters came and tried to save some furniture and put out the fire. It was a difficult task since Hatcliffe Township is often without water supply. The fire brigade did come, but much damage had already occurred. The police also came, but the attackers had since gone.
No one had heard of the whereabouts of either Mr Chiroto or his wife and child. The women who were at the house are from the cooperative area of the township and were very frightened because they had been told that tonight their area will be the target of burnings. The campaign manager for Mr Chiroto’s councillor bid told me he was frightened too, that what had happened to his superior would happen to him. I commiserated with the group at Mr Chiroto’s house and there was nothing more that I could do to help them.
I went over to our church and saw the builders busy, working on the new building. There had been no incident at their site. Unfortunately the night watchman had gone off. I would have wanted to know if there had been any visitors the night before. I talked with the church caretaker, Wellington who reported that they had been no incident at the church. I told him to be on the high alert and to call me if anything happened.
My big worry concerns the huge amount of food that we have stored at the church. Two weeks ago we got a letter from Minister Goche instructing us to stop feeding the poor. I had a meeting with the SVP and social concerns people and we decided that it was safe and cautious to stop food distribution until after the elections. We had just received about two tonnes of mealie meal from CADEC. The people already knew that we have food. My fear is that they may force their way into our store and loot it. The ruling party functionaries, who are well seeded in the congregation, may demand that we release it to them so they can use it in the campaign. I have told my people that in the event that the ruling party approaches us to demand the food we will not resist them.
I left the church and drove around the township talking to people. Most people that I talked to were very frightened. They were feeling very vulnerable, knowing that they can be targeted and attacked anytime. They have seen how others have been arbitrarily singled out for attacks. All it takes is the perception, which needs not be true, that one is an MDC member. They are also frightened because the attacks that they have seen are near fatal to fatal – the breaking of limbs and skulls.
There were many young people dressed in Zanu PF party reagalia milling around the township attaching posters and distributing fliers. The general mood in the township was depressed and sombre. I was shown the camp near the high school, where the party militia is gathered and where the beatings of suspected MDC supporters are being carried out. The evenings are reported to be especially dangerous for anyone seen walking. It was reported that the militia is made up of unemployed young people from Mbare and members of the notorious Mbare criminal gang Chipangano.
When I got home, a woman from the parish called me on the phone from Hatcliffe and told me that she had been trying to get hold of me all morning. She told me that the previous day, Sunday, there had been a meeting at the house next to her. The house owner is also a parishioner whose name has been given to me. At this meeting that other parishioner gave a report of what I had preached in Church, distorting it to make it sound anti-Zanu PF. There was a heated discussion about how I must be disciplined. A pledge was made to pay a group of thugs to beat me up. The woman who called was very disturbed by this and felt that she had to tell me and warn me. I thanked for letting me know.
Later in the evening the area chairperson for our church in Hatcliffe called me to warn me of an attack against me that had been planned for this evening. My case had been the subject of discussuion at the Zanu PF rally on Sunday and it had been agreed that I must be beaten up or killed. The area chairperson was very frightened about this and begged me not to spent the night in the house. The parishioner who had called me earlier during the day had also begged me not to stay in the house at night.
This is not the first time that I have heard of such plans to harm me in the past month. There have been threats every week to the effect that I must be beaten up and killed. My case has been considered as easier to deal with than Fr. Maguire’s, who as a foreign national could only be deported. “Guri we will simply kill, for he is a local,” is what I have often head being said. I have received reports that there are parishioners who habitually go to the CIO every Sunday after mass and give a report of what I would have said in Church. Among these, have been named some long-time parish members, parish leaders, and extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist. I have already received a warning from one deputy minister Chihota, warning me not to preach politics at St Gerard’s.
The net result of all these threats and warnings has been a considerable weight on my shoulders. I often take it lightly as rumours that proliferate at a time of great socio-political instability such as we are living through. I think they are aimed at getting me to overreact, fight or run away. Then my overreaction would be used against me and against the Catholic Church, which I see as being very much the object of attack. So I have endeavoured to give the impression that I am not taking these things too seriously. I have been cautious and desisted from being provocative in my speech and sermons. Yet the threats continue to come in. As I see what is happening to innocent people who are the victims of the ongoing violence, I begin to get frightened.
The horrific scenes of Mr Chiroto’s house made me really scared for my life. It was an attack very close to home and that could easily happen to me. I felt very vulnerable. I stopped at the police station on my way home and asked to see the Officer in Charge. I told him about the attack of the Chirotos and the possibility of our church and the Mupandasekwa House being attacked. I also told him about the threats aimed at me and my fear of being attacked. He promised to send more police details to Hatcliffe. He intimated to me how the police is overwhelmed with arson cases and how it seems that no one is in control of the violent mobs. He told me that the Chiroto child had been found, alive and well, in the Mabelreign area, but both Mr and Mrs Chiroto were still unaccounted for by both the police and their relatives. I went to see the little Chiroto child in the Victim Friendly section of the police station where she was being held. I told the Officer in Charge that he was responsible for ensuring that the public was safe and protected in a time like this.
As evening set my fear became very intense. I celebrated the 5:30pm mass at St Gerard’s and struggled to hide my fear from the small group of faithful who are also living in fear. After mass parishioners shared with me the horror stories of the violence that is happening all over. They told me how bases have been set up in our neighbourhood. In Lewisham there two camps responsible for terrorising the Enterprise Road area. On Sunday parishioners going to Nazareth House on foot were force marched to the camps and beaten. After the mass those parishioners with cars had to drop those without cars at their homes, to evade the marauding militias patrolling the Enterprise Road. I also got a report from Nazareth House that our gardener was intercepted on his way to work and forced to distribute campaign material.
In the evening I made a call to our Redemptorist community house at Tafara. After so many trials I managed to talk to Fr Richard Reid and informed him of what was going on here. I tried to call the Archbishop of Harare, without success all through the day. In the evening I did manage to speak to one of his assistants, Fr Davison Lukio and told him to tell the Archbishop about my experiences and concerns. I called the Jesuit Provincial Fr Fidelis Mukonori who came to see me that same evening. I sat with him and shared with him my concerns and fears. Fr Fidelis has connections with the government and he told me that he was going to bring our security concerns to a meeting with some police commissioners that he was going to attend the following day.
I went to bet quite exhausted from the emotional turmoil of the day. I prayed for safety in the night and hoped for the best.
Wednesday 18 June 2008
Today I did not go into Hatcliffe at all since I had no business there. I talked to Arthur who heads our projects. He told me the horror stories from the townships where all hell seems to have broken loose. Medicine, one of our gardeners, asked me if his wife could stay with him at the workers quarters until after the elections. Medicine’s wife is a member of the MDC and they are afraid that she may be endangered. David, our cook, has moved his sewing machine and all his certificates and birth certificates for his children from his Warren Park home for safe keeping with us here. He is afraid that in the madness these valuable papers may be destroyed. I took Bishop Mutume, who is convalescing with us here, to St Joseph Clinic in Chishawasha just before lunch and enjoyed some calm on the short drive out of Harare. Chishawasha has its own fair share of trouble and a hit list for priests has been drawn up. A local Chishawasha village head man was beaten to death last week for failing to produce a list of opposition supports in his area.
About 4pm I had a visit from two police officers from Borrowdale Police Station. They had been sent over by the Officer in Charge who wanted my contact details. I asked them what he wanted that for. They said a senior officer wanted to talk to me. So I gave them the house and parish landline and one of my cell phone numbers. The two men were fully dressed in Zimbabwe Republic Police uniforms, the winter fatigues, but looked unusually less confident and out of place, for the usually self-sure ZRP officers. They didn’t even know their way back to the police station from here. I suspected that they could be part of the mob that we hear to have been given police uniforms for the purposes of intimidating members of the opposition. An hour after the police had left; I received a call from the Officer in Charge at Borrowdale Police Station. At least that assured me that my visitors were from the police station. We exchanged pleasantries and then he told me his superiors wanted to see me tomorrow morning at 8:00am at the Central Police Station in Harare. He said this was following up on the concerns that I had shared with him yesterday. I must go and see a Chief Superintendent Marange.
In the meantime Fr Moyo, my assistant, who spent the whole day in Hatcliffe, told me that Mrs Chiroto’s mutilated body was found. She was killed and abandoned on a roadside.
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