'I Just Came To Plead With The Government' - Woman Laments Violent Police Crackdown

After the violent crackdown of the police on protestors in Harare today (Saturday 16 August 2019), this woman speaks to a journalist in Shona. (translated below)

It’s for every citizen of Zimbabwe. I don’t go to work. I don’t support the MDC. I don’t support Zanu PF. I don’t support any party. I’m a woman that stays at home. But because I’m pained by the state of things, I came here today so that I plead [with the government]. So now I’m beaten for it, why?

I don’t work. I stay at home with my children and grandchildren. My husband died. So what do I do? If I try to sell things on the streets I’m also beaten. Everyday I try to sell tomatoes on the streets and I spend the day running from the police. So what do you want me to do?

When we come here to plead with you, you hit us. What do you want us to do?