How the police jeered and taunted

It was an ordinary striking day for the strikers. They did not expect the show of might that was to be displayed by the police.  In the morning, they sat under the Morula tree as had become their wont since the strike started.

They were waiting to be briefed on the veracity or otherwise of word that the Botswana Federation of Public Sector Unions (BOFEPUSU) leadership had suspended the strike.  The wait was not for long.  But lo and behold, it was not their union leadership that turned up.  A strong police contingent in riot gear, armed with guns and teargas canisters and a monstrous water cannon vehicle to boot, took centre stage. The police had a red banner emblazoned with what they called a declaration.