A thread on What we sacrifice to the struggle

On this day 2020, in the height of a heavy lockdown, I drove to Harare to get @JoeMzacaNgulube and Ottilia Sibanda who had been released on bail from Harare prisons having been sentenced for a crime they did not commit

The state had alleged that they were part of the Mob that burnt Zanu Pf cars in Sizinda. All state witnesses were Zanu Pf office bearers. Against video evidence and a strong alibi, the state proceeded to convict and sentenced them to 7 years

They were initially serving their sentences in Khami prison. we were tipped that they were going to be transferred to Harare. I engaged the Prison authorities who denied this. 2 days later we went to check them in Khami and were told they had been taken to Chikurubi

At the time of their sentencing I had travelled to Munich on work business. Upon my return, we started the process of appealing the sentence. We struggled to get ahold of the court record for over 3 months. Josphat had to write to the ministry, from prison, to complain

We knew that getting bail pending appeal would not be easy. The state's henchmen in the courts, a Tashaya had made it clear that Joe's role in previous demonstrations would make it impossible. But we were undeterred. 6 months later they got bail

We got a tip off that there was a plot to re-arrest them immediately after their release. So we had to act fast. I was in Bulawayo, they were in Harare. There was covid. Travelling was difficult. We had to make a plan fast. I volunteered to travel to Harare and get them

Problem is, we needed a good car just in case we needed to evade some people. We asked MPs from Bulawayo to assist, Alliance officials, relatives, friends, everyone. None offered their cars. They felt it was to risky to travel during lockdown

People contributed money for fuel. But we had no car. Alliance officials offered their cars at exorbitant fees. We could not afford. I got a call confirming that they will be released following morning after the necessary paperwork got to Harare.

We got another tip off of an imminent arrest. We had to act fast. My car had been impounded for violating covid regulations. I had been arrested at a service station next to our apartment, buying petrol. Paid admission of guilt but car was not released

I had no choice but to go and beg the police to release it. I swallowed my ego and pride and polished my Shona and went to beg. Got there at 8. Car released at 1. I then started looking for petrol. Got it at 4. Minor service then at 7 off to Harare

In the meantime, we had engaged @DCBajila and @Cde_Ostallos to collect the two from prison and hide them somewhere till I get to Harare. That was done. I drove like a mad man. Was detained in Chegutu for having 20litres of petrol in a plastic container. I had no money. I waited

I got 3 hrs of sleep. A female officer looked at my licence and said "udingani lapha?" I explained and she went to converse with her superior after which I was let go. I got to Harare. What a happy re-Union of colleagues. We drove back 30 minutes later

On our way back we ran out of fuel and we had to buy from the black market. Someone at a garage, directed us to a dealer. The two were sharing their experiences of prison life and all seemed well til we got to Kwekwe. Breakdown. We sent an SOS.

We decided that the 2 must not wait for help with me, as a security measure. They hiked to Gweru, and then proceeded to Bulawayo. Mechanic came and could not do anything as there was nowhere to buy spares due to covid. We towed the car to his place. I left for Bulawayo

We couldn't do anything about the car. We raised 15% of the money needed for it. In the meantime my wife had pregnancy complications, was hospitalized resulting in the birth of Wami at almost 7 months. Hospitals fees wiped the 15%. Focus turned to Wami and mother, car forgotten

6 weeks later, the state got to my house in an attempt to abduct me. Check my pinned tweet. A day later they did the same at Joe's place. We fled into hiding. They tailed our families for 4 weeks and abducted his niece. We had no choice. We fled Zim and went into exile

The car is lost to the struggle. 10 months later we are struggling in exile. Jobless, broke, humiliated and feeling defeated. The struggle continues to cost us more than we can give. No sign of freedom in the horizon. Family relations broken, some beyond repair. We trudge on