Feedback: Why aren't we turning every cash queue into a protest?

With cash queues the new normal, we asked our WhatsApp members: “Why aren’t we turning every cash queue into a protest? Tell us what you think.”

Here are some of their responses

Only a trigger is required to trigger the protests.
We are hungry.
Sure we must get into the streets coz it’s too much.
It always stir up anger why the government is failing to provide but people are scared of the brutality acts from the police.
I totally support your suggestion because this is a crisis.
Hapana hapana
People are now frustrated because the previous protests didn’t change anything. Instead they give the regime another new strategy.
This is an absolutely brilliant idea, it only needs takers.
Street protests are not yielding any results. We now need to go to State House and fill it in.
I think this is worth considering.
True. I support.
That is a good idea.
Very progressive. We can’t labour to get or access our money we have already done that, we worked for it. Enough is enough.
Tinotya.
It’s super, I like it.
Good idea. Protesting from cash queue will just make country wide protest.
It’s coz of fear of the brutality of Zanu PF.
I think it’s a good idea but people are too scared.
People are scared to be bitten by the police.
I totally agree.
I think it is a good idea but the fact that those who are queuing are those who don’t want to join others when it comes to protesting.
Protest is good but people fear the security forces.
It’s a wise idea. And will cut across as a matter of seconds. They won’t be able to stop us.
That will call for the closure of the bank and will result in a more serious cash problem.
If we turn every cash queue to a protest then the introduction of the bond will become inevitable.
That’s true everyone in queue must denounce government failure without fear. Let’s call a spade a spade.
People must stand up with one voice.
Well it could be fear has been instilled in people that we now see every situation as normal, as poverty is our fundamental right.
I think it’s because we all want to mind our own business.
Beats me why people get accustomed to suffering.
Yes we need a legion of protests against cash shortages.
The masses are afraid of victimisation.
They say that if you stay too long with your captors you end up identifying yourself with your captors. It’s called Stockholm Syndrome.
These queues are dominated mostly by sympathisers of these liberators-cum-oppressors. Some actually see the coming of bond notes as a relief and see no problem in queuing until their introduction.
We as Zimbabweans adapt to poverty quickly hence we don’t mind queuing as long as we get what we are queuing for.
I second this idea. Need placards sooner than later.
We do not have the courage. We are afraid of what happens to us afterwards.
That’s the way to go.
The people who still go to the bank have something to lose because they go to work. They will never risk incarceration. They’ll rather let someone else get bashed by the police. Too much for endangered working class at stake here.
To what end? Cash problem is not something that is decided by government, it is a problem which they are trying to address. Statement from RBZ stated that cash problem is mainly caused by cash hoarding, people are withdrawing cash and not depositing any to the banks. Surely with such problems imminent, demos won’t help to address the real problem which needs citizens acting responsibly.
That’s a good idea.
People of Zimbabwe are cowards they cannot fight for their rights. Others are being brutalised by police so they’re afraid for their lives.
A brilliant idea, however part remains difficult like how to turn that queue into a protest, some of the people in the queue are Zanu PF loyalists.
It makes sense hey.
I am so disturbed with the situation I saw at Netone House POSB. Pensioners were still standing in a long queue at around 5pm.
Maybe a date should be set for that and posters made written with our grievances about the shortages of cash and not leaving the issue of their bond notes. It’s a matter of delivering our message even though they don’t listen to us.
Fear of the unknown. People are easily intimidated not knowing that even a toothless bulldog an also bark but can’t bite.
Maybe people are afraid of being bitten, or they don’t have the energy now.
It’s a good idea.
Security forces will never control the masses if we spread it in all the locations.
Keeping quiet won’t get us out of these bondage chains. We have to stand up and fight for our freedom, our old Zimbabwe which they turned into a place of no hope.
It’s a good idea.
People just want peace. They are scared.
We are cowards and we still subscribe to the Shona adage Nhamo yemumwe hairamwiri sadza (Don’t bother about someone else’s problem).
We need to fight for our rights this government is abusing us. Tajamuka.
People are dumb.
This is powerful and I think it will yield positive results. Imagine people at all city banks raising banners. I support the idea.
It’s a good idea.
Good idea. Problem with Zim populace, we are too timid, too afraid. Those in bank queues want to mind their business – That of withdrawing their cash. Never mind the fact that they are entitled to all their cash, not the piecemeal payments they get daily. So while turning queues into protests might be a noble idea for being heard, I wonder how that Gospel can be seared into our minds . . . if you are not outraged, you ain’t paying attention!
Mumabanks kunisangana vanhu vakasiyana vamwe imbavha, vamwe ndevekuongorora saka zwakangooma (it would be difficult as in the bank queue are many different kinds of people)
We are very passive!
It can help us.
It’s just frustrations.
Fear. Getting bashed by police meaning you might not be on a cash queue again.
Zimbos have been made zombies to the extent that Zanu PF can do whatever they want with us knowing that only a few will react. Tinonyanya kutya mazimbos asi tichikuvarira mukati.
Becuz it duznt change anything.
It’s good idea.
Because Zanu PF needs our attention. They want us to do that so they continue to pay and send their mob to destroy properties around the city.
We have tried that but it yields nothing at all.
Good idea but these protests need people who lead. Ordinary individuals are afraid. Only a few are eager to do it.
Inoita
A brave strategy.
I lyk your idea you talk lyk an economist. But how matters.
It’s because our minds have been crippled by the violence that is waged against us citizens each and every time we try to protest. Therefore fear is preventing the turning of cash queues into protests. I can also relate this to Fanon’s “pitfalls of national consciousness.” The masses, the ordinary citizens at large are no longer conscious of what really matters. That is why even when action needs to be done it is problematic.
I think people are now afraid of police brutality that once emerged as they began to protest, more fear was instilled into the citizens. Think of a situation where you are the one who fuelled to the protest, if identified you may get certain charges for such a move of which your family can get affected by it. Also, people do not want to bond notes so a protest against such will call a quick introduction of the bond note which have many implications especially in an economy like ours where we depend much on imported goods.
I think people are focussing on taking their hard earned cash out of the banks before the bond notes come. So protests could be the last thing on their minds. Kungomuka nekufunga bank queue.
It’s a cloud gathering cloud. Trying to push people, they won’t but the situation is going to push them to. Let the authorities think they have arrested the situation but believe me they will be in for a shock.
Honestly we need someone to lead in the front. We had found that Pastor Mawarire. Zimbabweans prefer when someone does it for them, we are cowards.
Good idea. Aluta continua.
Won’t that give the banks to close shop and have a “legitimate” excuse for not having cash?
Coz we would leave our spot. And there is yet to be a movement that touches all Zimbos.
Ummmm. Zvoita asi kumba kunenge kusina food and etc, tikazotanga kurobwa nemabomba majne, apa inozofa nenzara manje.
Good question. I think those people have at most fear of the system.
Kkkk what an idea! That is where our protests should start, especially at the cash queues. No to bond notes!
I think it’s a good idea to protest against cash crisis because it’s too much. Those people don’t even care about us as long as everything is well for them. It is now high time to show them that we are fed up with them.
The fear of victimisation, from a brute Zanu PF outfit in the mould of ZRP, and the fear of degrading many livelihoods that are hinged on vending! Nevertheless, every queue should be taken as an opportunity for voter education, people must register to vote, including all high school students who are aged 18 and above.
Because we know we are partly to blame for the cash crisis as we were obscenely overcharging our business deals as we marketed different goods.
We are afraid of forces. I think so but we will not be safe.
That is a good idea but is everyone at the queue willing to participate so as for the protest to have an impact? Although everyone there might not be happy cause of their situation, remember we all have different backgrounds – politically, socially and economically.
Personally I want the protest, ine punch. Am not saying no to the suggested one, that’s innovation.