Abide but never question

All  I did was politely ask whether it was a requirement of the  law that I stand still and wait while the policemen take down the National flag at Central Police  station. I honestly had no problem with the short wait but I wanted to know whether the law required me to stand be quiet or it was a show of respect.

As a citizen of the Democratic Republic of Zimbabwe. Is it not well within my rights to understand why I am being forced by the nations armed forces  to behave in a certain manner? Is it not one of the rudimentary requirements of enforcing the law- that I understand it??

Correct me if I am wrong, please do. Lest I misbehave in the future and put myself at risk of being arrested or beaten or maybe even disappearing…

I could be that chap there, not the one with the baton stick but the one running. Only in my case with a pair of heels and a handbag

 

I was passing by Central Police Station on my way home, that’s where I was rudely stopped by a Policeman. There were several other people standing at the same corner. I was rather perplexed because I knew not what was happening or what it was I had interrupted. A gentleman standing next to me must have noticed my confusion and he proceeded to point to National flag which was being lowered by another Police Officer.

After the flag had been lowered and folded we were allowed to proceed.

Or maybe i will be hurled into one of these and taken away

Me to Policeman: nhai vakuru, mutemo wenyika here kuti tinofanira kumira muchidzisa flag? (Translation- respectable man, is it the law that we should wait while you take down the flag)

Wait a minute, I know how you read that but that is not how I sounded - I was not picking a tone, I was not trying to be smart, I was not being sarcastic and I definitely was not trying to be rude. I had the tone of a genuine young lady seeking guidance from this respectable officer.

The response I got was...

Policeman to me: Ambuya zvimwe zvinhu hazvibvunzwi (Translation- mother in law, some of these questions should not be asked).

With that he walked away.

WHAT!!!!!!??? I ask a genuine question and you walk away without giving me a satisfactory answer. 

REALLY!!!??? I should just do exactly what you say and never ask why.

And don’t get me started on the “ambuya / mother in law”. How could he confuse a young lady such as myself for his potential mother in law? Do I look like I am old enough to have a daughter who could be your wife? Name calling …. Really officer??

I was not pleased…..