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Arrest
and detention in Zimbabwe - Diary of the events from February 23
- April 12, 2002
Hans Christen
Friday 8th March 2002
I was allowed to speak to Jenny
for less than a minute, just to ask her how things were going at
the High Court. She indicated that she hoped we would be released
later in the day. We dared not believe this good news. I forced
myself to be resigned to a weekend in prison. In this way I felt
that I could cope better.
The dispensary did not open today, so
there was no medication. I wondered how I would cope without a sleeping
tablet! I was now two thirds of the way through the Wilbur Smith
novel and I worried about what I would read when it was finished.
Two other novels were still being censored and I was unsure whether
I would receive them before Monday.
We went through the usual daily routine
and were locked in the cells again at about 2pm. I was enjoying
the novel and I carried on reading, however I could not keep my
mind off our possible release. At about 4.30pm one of the guards
came to the cell door and called our names. The other inmates immediately
shouted, "You’re going home!"
I began to dish out my possessions: toothpaste,
Vaseline, nappy, 2 bars of soap, water bottle, sandwiches, a Getaway
Magazine, the Wilbur Smith novel, cigarettes, matches, my tin mug,
etc. There was pandemonium as scores of hands reached out for the
contents of my plastic bag. I came out of the cell, only to be told
by the officer that the police wanted me. My heart sank. As we walked
down the path, he told me that I had indeed been granted bail, but
that he had not wanted to tell me this news in front of everyone
else.
7 of our group of 9 were being released.
Bornface and Christopher were to remain in prison as they were also
facing another charge. They were accused of firebombing the house
of a Zanu (PF) supporter. We then squatted outside the dispensary
for over an hour whilst the Prison authorities waited for the blue
"Warrant of Liberation" forms to be brought from the Magistrate’s
Court, in the Prisons lorry, along with a new group of remand prisoners
and those who had been to court that day but had once again not
been able to secure bail.
The previously balmy weather suddenly
and dramatically changed. It became overcast, cold and windy. I
remarked on the change of weather to one of the others and he said
that this change marked a change in the fortunes of the country.
He was convinced that it would sweep into power Morgan Tsvangirai,
leader of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change in the Presidential
Elections scheduled for the next day.
After what seemed like an eternity we
were led down to the gates, a now familiar journey - one which I
had made daily when Jenny visited - except that this time I was
not in leg irons. We received our bags, took our clothes out and
changed out of our prison garb. We received our valuables, in my
case my wedding ring, which was now loose on my ring finger. After
a final interview with the 2 i/c officer where we were asked to
recite the information that we had given upon our arrival at Prison
(presumably for the authorities to confirm that they were releasing
the right persons – most prisoners arrive at Prison without carrying
any form of identity documentation) and where we were asked whether
we had any complaints (not that I would have dared to complain,
even if there had been reason to!), we were ushered through the
gates to freedom.
Jenny was there with Nigel Hough, ready
to take us to Dr George Turner for a medical check-up and the completion
of a Reporting Form for the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum. I don’t
think I have ever hugged her so tightly before! It had been quite
an eventful day for Jenny and many others on the outside. It transpired
that Andrew Mugandiwa, the lawyer, had to be at the High Court at
noon. A friend, Karen Bradshaw had met him at 11.45am at his offices
and accompanied him to the High Court. She planned to rush from
the High Court with the Order granting bail, straight to Marondera
Magistrate’s Court, where Jenny was going to pay the bail and get
the Warrants of Liberation issued. Time was of the essence as it
was rumoured that the Magistrate’s Court would be closing early,
tomorrow being not only Saturday, but the first day of polling in
Zimbabwe’s landmark Presidential election.
Andrew was at the High Court at noon,
but a representative from the Attorney General’s Office had not
appeared by 12.30pm (the second day in a row he had failed to appear).
Eventually Andrew managed to persuade Mrs Justice Guvava – who had
been keen to postpone the case till Monday – that we should be granted
bail. The Order then had to be signed by the court registrar who
could not be found, as the High Court was being fumigated! At last
the Order was signed and Karen went to Andrew’s offices to fax it
to a lawyer, Richard Mufuka, in Marondera, who was then going to
take it straight to the Magistrate’s Court.
Jenny, Richard Mufuka and Jayne Webb
Martin (also a lawyer) went to the Magistrate’s Court and began
the lengthy process of paying bail and obtaining receipts. Karen
arrived at the Court with the original copy of the Order and the
process was finalised. I have come to realise that we all take our
freedom and our choices in life so for granted. It is only when
one is subjected to what I have recounted, that one is able to appreciate
the little things in life that one normally gives no thought to.
In prison, for example, a plastic bag and a match are such valuable
items.
On our way to George’s surgery, we received
countless phone calls from people who were overjoyed to hear my
voice. Jenny told me that the support, the prayers and the phone
calls – some from people we didn’t even know, which was absolutely
overwhelming – made this very difficult time bearable and reinforced
in both our minds what a wonderful community we are part of.
We arrived at George’s surgery where
I had my first beer in two weeks! We were all examined and George
noted our injuries. He compiled medical affidavits for use in later
litigation. We then drove to my mother’s house to let her know that
I had been released. She was understandably overjoyed. Not daring
to sleep in our own home we went to spend the night with Chris and
Rozanne Bell. Our daughters were already there, fast asleep. We
chatted for hours over a few drinks before finally dragging ourselves
to bed.
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