Feedback from Mutare Police Station
February 14th, 2009
Sally D responded to our Action Alert and her conversation with a CID officer yielded some interesting insight. This is taken from her comment left on our blog (February 14th, 2009 12:13).
Please can everyone keep calling.
Well, there’s a nice surprise.
I spoke to an officer at the CID and he could not have been more friendly and (apparently) open. I really did feel as though I was having a conversation with a fellow Zimbabwean, something I was certainly not expecting.
I shared my concern and mentioned that many here in South Africa are worried about Mr Bennett and about what this means for the inclusive Government; and that I have communicated my concern to our MP, Adv Johnny de Lange asking him to follow up concerning our Government’s response.
The officer said that Mr Bennett was cheerful.He did not answer my questions about food but claimed that Mr Bennett has been afforded access to his legal team and that he expects this matter to be resolved soon. He asserted that Mr Bennett will remain in their care at Mutare Charge Office and will not be taken elsewhere and that they will not harm him.
He also told me that it is calm around the outside of the station as well.
The officer even took the trouble to ask about the weather in Cape Town etc. I thanked him for his time, said I was very relieved to hear what he has to say, and also that it is a relief to me that Mr Bennett has been taken to Mutare as it seems that the officers there know what they should be doing.
I was impressed at the conciliatory tone and the effort made to speak to a stranger who calls from abroad and to be friendly, and I hope that this lack of defensiveness reflects at least some determination by officers on the scene not to be used in someone else’s political game.
Please post any comments on your own action or sally’s comment here.
