5. Findings and Observations Harare Metropolitan Province 5.1. EPWORTH 5.1.1. On 16 January 2019, the ZHRC paid a courtesy visit at Epworth Police Station. The Officer in Charge referred the Commission to the Assistant Commissioner who declined to give audience to the ZHRC. He referred the Commission to the Officer Commanding Harare Province who he highlighted would be in a better position to assist the Commission. Nevertheless, the ZHRC indicated its intention to monitor the situation in the community. The Officer in Charge (OIC) highlighted that the Commission was free to do so. 5.1.2. The Commission then went to Domboramwari where a group discussion was conducted with 4 females and 2 males who wanted to enquire on the mandate of the Commission in respect of the violence that the community had experienced . This was explained to them as well as the reason why the Commission was in their area. From the discussions conducted it was noted that the disturbances that occurred after the call for a shutdown were to demonstrate against the high cost of living where prices of basic commodities such as mealie meal, cooking oil, bread, sugar and other food stuffs were going up every day. Transport costs from Epworth to town had also risen to around $3 one way which meant that those who work in Harare town/city center would need $6 and above for transport per day. This was also a bitter pill to swallow for the people whose salaries remained the same. The fuel hike from $1.37 to $3.25 (per litre) which was announced by the President on Saturday 12 January became the last straw that instigated the violence. They highlighted that they needed the Page 8 of 68