Unfortunately one of our workers - not one of the Mummas - was accused of theft from the next door neighbours shop. Of course no one witnessed the theft and the whole basis of the ordeal was based on one ladies statement that they saw one of our workers washing her hands in their shop. It was a long day, drawn out and the matter is still yet to be resolved.
I accompanied our worker to the police station with two of the Mummas, who were to act as witnesses. The matter was discussed for 6 hours; no one saw anything, no goods were found and the whole case was based on the statement of the shopkeeper. The process was long and it felt like they were just discussing the whole matter back and forth for hours on end. It also didn't help that everything was being discussed in Swahili so I was sitting there as a naive westerner not really having any idea what the hell was going on. Nothing is done quickly around here. Nothing!
Luckily our workers husband came down and confirmed that he would like to take the matter to court, as opposed to resolving the issue and paying the shopkeeper. It intrigued me that we had to wait for our workers husband to come down before we could decide what we wanted to do. Women here are very very much subservient wives, and it was up to the husband to decide how he would like to deal with the matter.
The court hearing is today, and as there is no evidence to support the shopkeepers claim, I'd assume that our workers name will be cleared. People see a lot of organisations like SEW with white people working for them and assume that their workers have a lot of money. It is very common for people to instigate incidents like this in the hope of receiving some bribe or money.
It was an extremely frustrating day as there was absolutely nothing that I could do to help this woman's case. I had to be patient and witness the Tanzanian police deal with the matter... which was definitely not done effectively and efficiently.
To enable you to picture the police office; the building is very small with 4 cells, a discussion room and the chief police officers room. It's positioned just out of town and situated next to a primary school. It absolutely stinks of bad BO, urine and dirt. Many people at the time were locked up in the cells and therefore had no access to toilets... you can imagine. Everything is done on paper, there is no computers and no sign of procedures. There is also always a large group people loitering around outside looking for gossip.
It intrigued me how many people were allowed to sit inside the room when the matter was being discussed. At one point we had 3 women from SEW, 3 shopkeepers, a police officer, another women who just wanted to watch and myself. Lots of people were peering into the room the whole time, trying to get wind of the situation. Everyone was also answering their mobile phones throughout the whole thing gossiping and chatting about the ordeal... very very different!
It's definitely been a baptism of fire. However I really can't complain. Everyday so far is different, interesting and incredible.
On a positive note, I found a yoga place.. who would have thought! I headed there last night which was amazing after the day I had. This weekend I'm off to Ol Meres Tented Camp and possibly Lake Chala with a group of people from St Jude's that I met today. Thankgod it's Friday! It's been an incredible week!
Hello hello!
ReplyDeleteWow what a day at the local police station.
The summary of the way the station looked & smelt provides the perfect visual!!! Sounds like a circus, but that poor women. I hope the court case is quick and easy... I am assuming there is no such thing as security cameras to back her story?? I cannot beleive the matter is going to court. What are legal fees like??
Glad you went with the women to the police station though. Great way to completely surround yourself in the foreign culture & learn how the world operates outside of Australia.
The Mummas at SEW... first of all i LOVE that they're reffered to as Mummas! Sounds so sweet! The two bags they produce per day... is that a productive day? Or are you hoping to increase their productivity over time? Perhaps by introducing a specialisation system? Amazing what they are doing though... seems like you are surrounded in determined & strong working women.
WOO a yoga place! I can imagine you're over the moon! Nice to have a place where you can go and just mentally check out.
Hope you are feeling absolutely comfortable & happy.
The posts are AMAZING! SUPPPPPPERRRR proud of you! xxx