EDITORIAL: THE MOB WAS WRONG

THE top trending story on our social media platforms last week was about a woman who endured a nightmare in Harare’s CBD when she was harassed by a mob.

The mob was attacking her for what they deemed to be improper dressing.

So bad was the abuse that a Harare businesswoman was forced to rescue the woman, who was only identified as Cindy.

A group of men and a number of women took turns to insult Cindy because of her dress.

We were told that Cindy had been accompanied into the Harare CBD by her boyfriend for what was supposed to be a shopping trip.

However, what was supposed to be a good day for the couple turned into an ugly one.

First, the couple was provoked by a man in Harare’s CBD.

It proved to be the trigger that a mob wanted and they then followed her from Jason Moyo to Speke Avenue.

They were booing and insulting her because they felt that her dressing was improper.

This led to the intervention of a businesswoman, identified as Faith, who took her into her shop, which is along the First Street Mall.

Cindy lost her handbag and cell phone during the scuffle.

She thanked the businesswoman who helped her and protected her from the mob.

She claimed the mob was tearing off her clothes and one of the ladies offered to get hold of my handbag.

Cindy was eventually led into her boyfriend’s kombi while under the protection of four men.

She had to cover herself using her lover’s white jacket.

Her ordeal has captured the attention of our readers.

Many bombarded our social media platforms to express their views over the incident. Some felt that her dressing, a very short skirt which revealed black pants, was not what they expected to see in public.

They claimed the dressing was too suggestive and had the potential of inviting trouble for her as was the case that day.

They said the dress went beyond the acceptable and if this was not challenged then there was a possibility some women might walk around Harare in semi naked states.

Others, though, were sympathetic towards her.

They felt that she has a right to dress as she pleases and trying to restrict her fashion sense was something from the Stone Age.

They were also concerned that physical and emotional abuse was inflicted on this woman by people who disagreed with her fashion sense.

They felt that the mob took the law into their hands and abused an innocent woman.

There is no question that what Cindy went through that day is unacceptable.

When we allow mob justice to prevail then we are building a foundation for these people to do even worse things in future.

Yes, we understand those who are saying that women should dress in an acceptable way.

But, to take matters into their hands and harass Cindy, the way they did last week, is something we do not accept.