information to the state. This belief is quite rife within the community and the following quotes from in-depth interviews could not dispel the speculation: “I don’t know everyone enough to believe that all the people are innocent. But I don’t think that it’s correct to say the raids are organised by GALZ. It might make more sense to say that there may be be some informers within the staff or the board. The security agents in Zimbabwe work with people from all walks of life, thus they may have planted someone. But that does not mean GALZ organises the raids; there may just be a rotten apple. In a system where blackmail and extortion are rife, anyone can abuse their position”. – Stakeholder. There is also speculation that some of the members are part of state machinery thus they are the informers. The membership for GALZ comes from diverse backgrounds and that cannot be denied. There are calls to filter and screen all people who become members, but this has been dismissed as it is tantamount to discrimination. “Our membership is so broad that we get members across the board, and you cannot refuse individuals membership. Though some may encourage that we filter who gets to become a member, for me that constitutes discrimination on the basis of employment.” – GALZ Staff Member. Another stakeholder also dispelled the speculation that GALZ staff members could be behind the raids as a ploy to seek 45 An Assessment of the impact of state sanctioned and unsanctioned raids on GALZ premises and gatherings

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