It’s always refreshing to discover that there are Members of Parliament who take their obligations to their constituencies seriously. The Parliamentary Monitoring Trust’s publication, the Parliamentary Monitor, took this from their Facebook group page

Honourable Engineer Elias Mudzuri, the Member of Parliament for Warren Park says he used his CDF towards the following; Building of 22 people’s market stalls (broken down as labour and building materials- US$15 456; six Bore-holes and bush pump drilling and installation- US$25 750; all public toilets repairs in Ward 15- US$4 721; Warren Park Polyclinic- Pur-chase Of Generator & Capri Top Freezer US 2 100, and total toilet repairs US$1 304 bringing his total expenditure on the project US$51 229, 59 including bank charges)

And in the comments:

If all MPs were to, @ least show us this, then we will know some-thing was done. This is the first step towards transparency. If one doubts, then it will be possible to check. Unlike buying trucks!

And to imagine that some of the MPs in Harare used hate language when confronted on the usage of the CDF.

Very impressive achievements. I hope the constituents participated in these projects right from the planning stage. Trans-parency begins from planning and choosing of projects right through to the reporting stage! That is what is known as participatory ap-proach in community development parlance. If the participatory approach was used I would give Honourable Mudzuri’s performance a triple A rating!

During my kombi days I often heard whindi’s and drivers complaining about how police officers refused to pay kombi fare, but at roadblocks the same officers would ask them for bribes, or when they were arrested would beat them badly. Personally, I’ve never really trusted the police, and given a choice I’d pick a soldier over a policeman. Outside of the repeated harassment at roadblocks, I’ve found members of the police to be undisciplined, bureaucratically inefficient and at times just plain unwilling to do their job.  So given an opportunity where I am not compelled by law to cooperate with the police, I won’t.

Recently I had occasion to add ‘entitled’ to my list of grievances against the police. On Friday afternoon, as I was leaving the British Embassy a police officer approached my car and attempted to get in. Finding both passenger doors closed, he looked perplexed, then finally asked me which way I was going, although it didn’t quite sound like a request:

Policeman: Murikuenda nekuextension handiti? (You’re going through second street extension right?)
Me: Aiwa, handisi. (No, I’m not)

I started my car and left.

There had been two other cars besides mine leaving the embassy at the same time, one with an old British couple, and another with a man by himself. The policeman hadn’t approached either of these. Did he really think it more likely that he would get a ride from a woman driving on her own?

What made me angry was the presumption on his part that he had any right at all to attempt to get into the car without asking my permission first. It was still my car.

I’m still not sure how I feel about this, and perhaps I am making mountains out of molehills. Should I be angry that a policeman in uniform tried to get into my car without asking me first? Is it because he is a policeman and thought himself entitled to a free ride like other officers do with kombis? Or is it because he’s a policeman and, being I woman I appeared weaker and couldn’t say no?

Young Voices Network yesterday launched their “Seven Point Manifesto On Ending Homelessness” at their offices. In doing this Young Voices Network, hopes to enrich the public debate about Operation Restore Order with considered recommendations sourced from those Zimbabweans who were directly affected. Young Voices Network also hopes to engage with policy makers on the issues that affect you in Hatcliffe and Hatcliffe extension and influence the political and policy reform processes.

Speaking at the launch Young Voices Network Co-ordinator Tayiona Sanagurai said that the Manifesto was a culmination of a theatre for development dialogue. The process involved the youth in Hatcliffe creating a drama, which was performed for residents of their community, followed by an open discussion. Mr Sanangurai cautioned however, that the Manifesto was not a panacea for ending homelessness.

“We are trying to get people to look at homelessness” he said, “[the Manifesto] provides pointers to policymakers.”

Included in the presenting panel were two outspoken youths, Brave and Patience, from Hatcliffe extension. Amidst several contributions from members of the audience that the youths should ‘find projects to generate income and occupy their time’, Brave detailed why this was not possible. He recounted how he and a colleague had managed to start a potato cultivation project, but when they needed to acquire funding from CBZ to grow their business, they were rejected, as they were unable to supply proof of residence.

“There are no water or electricity services where we live. So we don’t have the bills.”

While Hatcliffe Extension residents have been issued lease agreements by the government, banks refuse to recognise these as legal documents. Thus youths in Hatcliffe are unable to open bank accounts or obtain loans.

Mr. Sanagurai elaborated on the difficult situation of Hatcliffe Extension residents, adding that several municipalities, including Harare City Council and Ministry of Local Government claimed jurisdiction of the area. This state of contention left residents without any proper representation of their interests. “Government uses uncoordinated and inconsistent policies, which leads to a lack of accountability,” he said.

The Manifesto asks the government to create a policy environment that guarantees the rights of citizens to housing, health services, and the benefits of full citizenship. It asks that policymakers commit to the goal of addressing the after effects of Operation Murambatsvina, and ensure that government departments at all levels work together effectively, and with the voluntary sector to prevent homelessness.

Taking photographs on Friday at the House of Smiles showcase I was reminded of Dr Watch Ruparanganda whom I interviewed last year about his book Genitals Are Assets. In our pre-interview conversation he spoke about how there was little space for the girls who live on the street. As the streets were a means of making money these, and other public spaces were largely dominated by boys.

During the event dance trainer Rahim Solomon mentioned how hard it was to get girls who lived on the street to participate in their workshops. They had been lucky and had found three, as compared to over 28 boys. It was easy to see why the girls would be reluctant to participate; their only performance was dominated by boys, who stormed onto the stage to dance. And during ciphers they didn’t have a chance to dance at all.

Our discourse about feminism and the girl child largely centres on those who live somewhere, with family, or their parents, even in orphanages, but we never speak about creating a space for young women who live on the street. It does seem as though they have become invisible, even to those us who are supposed to be defending them. It is very difficult to speak of someone’s rights when the greater imperative is survival, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try.

From the ZRP Public Relations department:

If you feel that while you are being questioned or searched at a roadblock, the details involved have harassed you, hinted for bribes, or been generally aggressive, you are advised to contact the ZRP Officers listed below.

The intention is for all ZRP details to have their rank, name and numbers on their uniforms but with current constraints this is not always possible.  Each Police Officer has a force number which should be given out if requested.

It should be noted that there are NO SUCH THING AS SPOT FINES, without an OFFICIAL RECEIPT, that is Form Z69 (j) Admission of Guilt.  Many Toad Blocks carry Z69 (j) for the convenience of the public.  Should it be inconvenient to pay immediately a “ticket” on Form 265 for payment at a Police Station within 7 days should be requested.  Failure to report to a Police Station within 7 days once Form 265 is issued will lead to prosecution.

Superintendent NCUBE: 0772 719 730 or 0712 769 768
Superintendent KANGWARE: 0712 415 491
Spokesperson Traffic Inspector Chigome: 0772 965 030

NATIONAL COMPLAINTS LINE: 24 HOUR Service (04) 703 631

It might seem hysterical, but I suggest you print this and keep it in your car.

Photographed at Mabelreign High School in Harare.