CHEGUTU — Police in Chegutu on Wednesday intercepted a residents’ demonstration against alleged shoddy service by Zesa and arrested four people.
Mashonaland West provincial police spokesperson Inspector Clemence Mabgweazara confirmed the arrests yesterday, adding the arrested were still detained at Pfupajena Police Station.
“Indeed, there was a planned but unsanctioned demonstration against Zesa by Chegutu residents on Wednesday. I can confirm the arrest of four people for organising or participating in the demonstration,” said Mabgweazara.
“They will soon appear in court facing charges under the Public Order and Security Act.” The majority of protesters numbering over 200 were ordinary residents and small-to-medium business operators who intended to march from Pfupajena high density suburb to Zesa offices in the central business district.
But armed police reportedly intercepted and dispersed the placard-wielding protesters before they reached the town centre where they intended to demonstrate at Zesa offices and demand an audience with management over huge bills, disconnections and blackouts.
Several people were reportedly injured in the ensuing running battles with the police who beat up women and children participating in the peaceful march.
Residents, who are mostly informal traders and retrenchees, alleged Zesa was unfairly billing them with others saying they received estimated bills of up to $600.
Efforts to get comment from Zesa Northern Region general manager Sheperd Dadi were fruitless as he was said to be out of office while Zesa Holdings’ spokesperson Fullard Gwasira was unreachable yesterday.
