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Chinhoyi Bureau
Karoi farmer and musician Never Gasho was arrested yesterday after barricading part of the Harare-Chirundu Road in protest against xenophobic attacks in South Africa. Gasho, who was in the company of five others, used tree branches to barricade part of the intersection with the Chiedza Road in Karoi targeting South African-registered haulage trucks.

Police got a report that there was a traffic jam as a result of an obstruction on the road.

Upon investigation, it was established that it was placard-waving Gasho and his colleagues who were blocking the road.

Police sources said Gasho’s colleagues were set free soon after arrest, while he paid $25 admission of guilt fine before he was released.

The protesters were targeting South African-registered trucks and telling their drivers to return.

Contacted for comment, Gasho said his actions were driven by pain on the developments in South Africa where foreigners are being targeted.

“We thought of taking this route as a way of registering our displeasure and pain at what is happening in South Africa,” he said. “Our brothers are being killed and we wanted them to know that we are not happy.

“So, I was arrested and ordered to pay a fine.” Efforts to get an official comment from the police were fruitless.