Against brute force and injustice the people will have the last word – that of victory. Che Guevara, South American revolutionary

STAND UP FOR YOUR CHILD

The election has come and gone and WOZA would like to pay tribute to Zimbabweans for the peaceful way they went out to vote and for the patience they have shown while waiting for ZEC to get their act together. A week has passed without the results and ZEC are taking our patience for granted. Some of us went to vote as a protest knowing that there was a high chance of the result being rigged or stolen. Politicians are trading insults and threats whilst Zimbabwe burns. When you read this, please think about your child and the dreams you had of a better life for them. Think about what your children are doing. Are they in school studying hard and doing well or sleeping on their desks without teachers? Are they queuing for water or looking for firewood? Or are they far away in a foreign land? Is this the future you imagined for them? As long as the results are held hostage we cannot get a new government and demand the social justice we need and deserve. For how much longer can we wait for the results when we have seen them outside polling stations and know that we voted for a change? Last week, people used the polls to speak out – but our voices are being ignored. Today is the day to take peaceful action to remind ZEC and politicians that WE, the voters, are the owners of the election and WE will not allow them to ignore us. We made our decision with our X and it must be respected.

Today is the day to end the silence.

YOUR CHILD EXPECTS YOU TO DO SOMETHING RESPONSIBLE AND PEACFUL TO DEFEND YOUR VOTE AND LIBERATE THE TRUE RESULTS.

Today is also the day that we continue our struggle for social justice.

Our vote last week was just another way in which we reminded our leaders that we want and deserve social justice which can be defined as a system where people have equal opportunities/access to social, economic, cultural, religious and political needs regardless of race, gender, creed or any other form of discrimination.

This is what we were thinking of when we went to choose our new leaders. We want leaders who prioritise the following:
· Full enjoyment of all social, political, economic and cultural rights
· An equal society including gender equality with full respect for all human rights including women’s and children’s rights
· Freedoms including speech, assembly and association
· Respect and tolerance of diversity – culture and religion
· Transparency and accountability
· Equal participation in political and economic decision-making
· Equal application of the law – access to justice and understanding of the law
· Correction of past injustices such as Gukurahundi and Murambatsvina
· Gutsaruzhinji/inhlalakahle yabantu (good living), including adequate and affordable food
· Access to affordable education
· Access to affordable housing, electricity, sanitation and clean water
· Access to affordable healthcare and medication including anti-retrovirals (ARVs)
· Equal and fair access to fertile land, inputs, equipment and secure ownership
· Equal opportunities to resources, employment, self-help projects and the right to earn a living wage
· Development of adequate infrastructure and access to affordable transport
· Environmentally sustainable usage of resources

As Zimbabweans we deserve the social justice that we talk about but we can only get it if we are prepared to stand up and demand it from our leaders. Make a start today.

Now is the time to keep standing strong for your child’s future.

Charges against eight WOZA members and two lawyers have been acquited. The ‘Valentine 10’ were initially removed off remand on 28th April 2009 but were then served with summons to re-appear in Harare Magistrate’s Court on 19 May 2009. The trial began immediately with state witnesses giving evidence. The matter was then adjourned to 28 May but Magistrate Moses Murendo ruled to acquit the activists. He even went further by telling the women to ‘go and buy more roses and to spread love’, leaving Prosecutor Ms Ngoma unable to secure a conviction.

The group of 10 had been arrested on 10th February after an early Valentine’s Day protest in Harare. They were facing charges under Section 37 1 a i) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act – ‘disturbing the peace, security or order of the public’. They were represented by Andrew Makoni.

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On the Thursday 14th May 2009 the ‘Education Five’ appeared in Harare Magistrate’s Court. Their lawyer, Alec Muchadehama, successfully applied to have them removed off remand. The state will have to proceed by way of summons if they wish to proceed. The human rights defenders were arrested on 25 February 2009 outside the Ministry of Education. The Education Five face the same charges of disturbing the peace, security or order of the public.

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Supreme Court Judge Godfrey Chidyausiku heard the urgent order to suspend the trial of Jenni Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu pending the outcome of an application under Section 24 (1) of the Constitution. He ruled to halt trial proceedings until a ruling on a constitutional matter has been handed down. The constitutional application will be heard on 4th June 2009 by the full bench of the Constitutional Court.

Justice Chidyausiku approved the draft order to grant Williams and Mahlangu the right to approach the court directly after Bulawayo Magistrate Msipa had ruled that a constitutional case was frivolous and vexations. The application was made in terms of Section 24 (1) of the Constitution – applicants can apply directly to the Supreme Court if they feel that they are still aggrieved.

The duo last appeared in court on 30 April 2009 and were remanded out of custody to 7th July 2009 to await the ruling from the Supreme Court. A copy of the urgent application and constitutional application can be found in the Legal Documents folder to the right.

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Zviroto zve Zimbabwe
Itsva Gwaro Rinoratidza Gwara Regutsaruzhinji

Zvizvarwa zveZimbabwe, takabatana uye neushingi, tinoti:

• Kwapera makore makumi maviri nematanhatu tawana kuzvitonga kuzere, rusununguko nemikana yakaenzana yatakavimbiswa hazvisati zvazadzikiswa.
• Zviroto zvataiva nazvo zvekugara zvakanaka- ruremekedzo, kugarika nekuchengetedzeka – zvangova madzikirira. Zvavakuda kuti vanhu veZimbabwe tidzokere kuzviroto zvakanaka uye kuzvishandura kuzviiita zvinhu zvinoonekwa nekubatika.
• Tinofanirwa kurangarira kuti tinokodzera kuwana zvirinani uye hatifanirwi kutya kubvuma kuti ikodzero yedu kuva neramangwana rakanaka uye kuti tinekodzero yekubatsira kurivaka.
• Naizvozvi, isu vanhu veZimbabwe, madzimai, varume nevana, vemarudzi nezvitendero zvose, takabatana pamwechete, tiinekuremekedzana uye sevanhu vakaenzana, tinogamuchira gwaro rinoratidza gwara regutsaruzhinji, tiinekuziva kuti kana takabatana tinogona kuwana zvatinoshuvira zvese.
• Takazvipira kushandirapamwe nesimba, ushingi netarisiro, kusvikira zvizvarwa zvese zveZimbabwe zvawana kugara munyika inekusununguka kwechokwadi, runyararo uye kuremekedzwa.

Tese Tichava Nerusununguko uye Kuenzana

• Vanhu vese vemuZimbabwe vachava nekuenzana, zvisinei kuti murume kana mukadzi, urema, ganda, rurimi kana nzvimbo yaunobva. Kodzero dzemadzimai nevana dzichasimudzirwa pamwe nekuchengetedzwa.
• Tichadzidziswa kodzero nerusununguko rwatinopiwa nebumbiro remitemo yedu uye nemimwe mitemo yemuAfrica neyepasi rose kuti tigogona kusununguka mairi zvizere.
• Tichava nerusununguko rwekusangana, kuronga nekutaura mifungo yedu pasina kutya kana kutyityidzirwa.

Vanhu Vachava Nechekuita Muutungamiri

• Vanhu vachaziviswa nekukurudzirwa kuva nechekuita zvizere muutungamiri hwese hwenyika, vachidudza kodzero dzavo sezvizvarwa zveZimbabwe.
• Munhu wese akazvarirwa muZimbabwe achabvumidzwa kuva chizvarwa chenyika ino, zvitupa zvekuzvarwa, ID nemagwaro ekufambisa (passport), zvichawanikwa nyore kuzvizvarwa zvose zvenyika ino.
• Vanhu vachasununguka kusarudza mutungamiri wavanoda, pasina kutya kana kutyityidzirwa. Vatungamiri vezvinzvimbo zvese zvematongerwe enyika vachasarudzwa kupfurikidza nesarudzo dziripachena, pasina kubiridzira.
• Madzimai anofanira kukurudzirwa kugara zvigaro zveutungamiri kuitira kuti pave nekuenzana pakati pevarume nevakadzi.
• Panofanirwa kuva nesangano rakasununguka uyerakazvimiririra rinoongorora sarudzo uye sarudzo dzinofanirwa kuongororwa nevaongorori vasina bato rezvematongerwo enyika ravakarerekera, vachabva muAfrica nemhirikwemakungwa.
• Vanhu vachava nerusununguko rwekutsigira bato rezvematongerwo enyika ravanoda uye pasina kusarudzwa kana kusiirirwa nekuda kwebato ravanotsigira.
• Makambani enyika, vanoraira makambani aya, kanzuru nevanoona nekufamba zvakanaka kwenzvimbo dzigere vanhu vachashanda nekutungamira nenzira yakasununguka uye vasina bato rezvematongerwe enyika ravakarerekera.

Vatungamiri Vatinoda

• Vatungamiri vese, vari pazvinzvimbo zvakasiyana-siyana, vachava vanhu vakatendeka, vanehanya nevanhu vavanotungamira uye vanemoyo inorangarira kutambura kwevanhu uye vachiita mabasa ekuvandudza nharaunda dzavo.
• Vatungamiri vari pazvinzvimbo zvakasiyana-siyana, vacharemekedza vanhu zvakaenzana, vachateerera matambudziko avo nekuvabvunza mifungo yavo pakutoramatanho uye kuvaudza mamirire ezvinhu.
• Vatungamiri vanofanirwa kunzwisisa kuti mashandiro avo anokotsororwa, uye kubvuma kuti vanhu vakavasarudza vane kodzero dzekushoropodza nekuongorora mitemo nematanho avanotora.
• Vatungamiri vari pazvinzvimbo zvese vanofanirwa kushoropodza uori nechizivano pamberi pevanhu.
• Madzishe nemadzisabhuku havafanirwi kusarudzwa nevezvematongerwe enyika asi semasarudzirwo avaisiitwa panguva yemakare. Vanofanirwa kuva vanhu vasina bato rezvematongerwe enyika ravakarerekera, uye vanofanira kugara munharaunda dzavanotungamira kwete mudare Pariamende.

Rusununguko Mumitemo

• Pachava nebumbiro remitemo idzva- rakanyorerwa zvizvarwa zveZimbabwe, rakanyorwa nezvizvarwa zveZimbabwe.
• Mitemo yese yeudzvanyiriri inotsikirira kodzero dzevanhu yakaita se POSA ne AIPPA ichabviswa.
• Nyika ichatongwa zviripamutemo uye munhuwese achava pasi pamutemo, munhuwese achatongwa zvakaenzana pasi pamutemo, pasina rusarura uye zvisinei kuti ndewebato ripi rezvematongerwe enyika.
• Vatongi vedzimhosva vachashanda varibazi rakazvimirira roga uye risina bato rezvematongerwe enyika rarakarerekera, rakazvipira kusimudzira mutemo uye kukurudzira kutongwa kwedzimhosva kusina ubiridziri.
• Mapazi ese ehurumende, kunyanya vashandi vehurumende (civil servants) vanosanganisira mapurisa nemauto, vachashanda vasina bato rezvematongerwo enyika ravakarerekera uye vachashanda vachitevedzera zvido zvevanhu.
• Vasungwa vachabatwa zvinehunhu, vachigara zvinechiremera chinodiwa nemunhu wese uye vachiwana dzidziso yekuti vagogona kudzoreka nekuti vagogara zvakanaka nevanhu munharaunda dzavakabviswa. Vana vadoko vanenge vapara dzimhosva vachabatwa zvinoenderana nezera ravo nemapurisa kunyangwe nematare edzimhosva nemumatirongo.

Ivhu Iri Nderedu

• Chirongwa chekugohwa patsva kwevhu chinofanirwa kutangidzwa uye ivhu rinofanira kupiwa kumunhu wese zvakaenzana, zvisinei neganda kana kuti murume kana mukadzi uye kunevanogona kushandisa ivhu zvakanaka kuti vagobatsira zvizvarwa zveZimbabwe.
• Pachava nekuremekedza kodzero dzevanhu dzekuva nepfuma.
• Varimi vachawana rubatsiro rwemari nezvekushandisa kuti vagogona kurima zvine pundutso.
• Varimi vachawana mitengo inoenderana nezvirimwa zvavo pakutengesa uye vachava nekodzero yekutenga nekutengesera wavanoda vakasununguka, pasina kutyityidzirwa kana kumanikidzwa.

Upfumi Nepundutso

• Hurumende ichaita zvese zvinogoneka kuti iunze budiriro kumativi mana ese enyika zvakaenzana, mumaruwa nemumadhorobha, izvi zvichasanganisira migwagwa, zvipatara, nezvimwe zvinodiwa.
• Hurumende ichakurudzira kuvandudzwa kweupfumi hwenyika uye kuwanikwa kwemabasa kuitira kuvandudza upenyu hwezvizvarwa zvese zveZimbabwe.
• Hurumende ichaita zvese zvainogona kudzikisa kukwira zvakanyanya kwemitengo wezvinodiwa pakurarama kupfurikidza nenhaurirano dzinosanganisira zvizvarwa zvese zvemuZimbabwe.
• Zvizvarwa zveZimbabwe zvinoda kuti kubhadhariswa kwemitero kuve pachena uye kuudzwa kuti mitero yavo inofambiswa sei.
• Hurumende ichazvipira pachokwadi kupedza uori kuti husapfukuta upfumi hwenyika nekukurudzira kuvandudzwa kweupfumi.
• Mari ichavaneuremu uye tichava nemari yechokwadi kwete macheki.

Kodzero Yekuwana Raramo

• Munhu wese achava nekodzero yekuwana raramo kuti asararama nezvekupiwa kana kupemha uye kudzivirira chiremera.
• Pachava nemabasa anoringana, nzvimbo dzekushandira dzakanaka uye mashandiro anehunhu, vashandi vachiwana mibairo inokwana kuvararamisa uye inoenderana nebasa nemashandiro avanoita.
• Mari nezvimwe zvekubatsira kutanga mapurojekiti ekuti vanhu vagone kuzviraramisa zvichawanikwa, kunyanya kunevechidiki uye shirikadzi.
• Vanhu vachabvumidzwa kutengesa, maresinesi uye dzimba dzekutengesera dzichapiwa zviripachena, zvisina kubiridzira kana chizivano.

Raramo Yakanaka

• Pachava nekudya kunokwana munhu wese.
• Zvinhu zvese zvinodiwa zuva roga roga pakurarama kwevanhu (basic commodities) zvichawanikwa huye nemitengo yakaderera- inogonekwa nemunhu wese, uye kana zvichifanirwa, pachava nekutarwa kwemitengo kuti munhu wese azviwane.
• Vanhu vese vachawana mukana wekugara mudzimba dzakanaka dzine mutero wakareruka, mitero ichadzikiswa uye pachava nekuremekedza kodzero yekuva nepfuma (property rights).
• Nzvimbo dzese, madhorobha nemaruwa, dzichawana mikana yekuitirwa zvese zvinodikwa kuti vanhu vararame zvineutano semvura yakachena, masewage anofambiswa zvakanaka uye kubviswa kwemarara munzvimbo dzinogara vanhu nezvimwe zvakafanira.
• Nzvimbo dzese, madhorobha nemaruwa, dzichawana magetsi nemitengo inokwaniswa nemunhu wese.
• Pachava nezvifambiso zvinosvika nzvimbo dzese mativi mana enyika, nguva dzose uye nemitengo inogonekwa nemunhu wese. Vakwegura vanofanirwa kufamba pasina muripo.
• Vanoshaiwa kana vanotambura vatigere navo vanofanirwa kuchengetwa, vanhu vanosanganisira vakwegura, shirikadzi, varikurarama neutachiona hwe HIV/AIDS, nherera uye zvirema, vachachengetwa zvakanaka nehurumende.
• Vanhu vese vachawana kodzero yekuzorora, kutamba mitambo yakasiyana siyana uye kuwana nzvimbo dzekutandarira.

Kudzidzisa Nyika

• Mwana wese anekodzero yekuwana dzidzo pasina rusarura. Avo vasina mari dzekuenda kuzvikoro vachawana rubatsiro rwemari yechikoro.
• Dzidzo yepuraimari (primary) ichawanikwa pachena uye dzidzo yekusekondari (secondary) ichawanikwa nemari iri pasi sezvatakavimbiswa muna 1980 patakawana kuzvitonga kuzere.
• Vadzidzi vese vachawana dzidzo yepamusoro, vachadzidzisirwa mudzimba dzekudzidzira (classrooms) uye vachawana zvekushandisa zvakakwana zvinosanganisira mabhuku ekunyorera nekuverenga, zvituro nematafura nezvimwewo.
• Pachava nevadzidzisi vakadzidzira basa ravo vakakwana uye vakazvipira kudzidzisa vatungamiri vemangwana. Tinofanira kuvaremekedza zvakakwana nekuvapa mibairo (salary) inokwana kuti vararame upenyu husiri hwekutamburira.

Tinoda Utano

• Munhu wese achagona kurapwa nemutengo wakaderera uye unogona kubhadarwa nemunhu wese.
• Zvipatara nemakiriniki zvichava nemishonga uye michina nemidziyo yekushandisa yakakwana.
• Varikurarama neutachiwona hwe HIV/ AIDS vachawana mishonga (ARVs), vasina mari yekuitenga vachaipihwa pachena pasina chavanobhadara, uye kana zvichifanira, zvekudya pachena, mahara.
• Vakwegura vacharapwa uye kupiwa mishonga pachena.
• Pachava nevarapi (vanosanganisira madhokotera nemanesi) vakadzidzira basa ravo vakakwana uye vachabata vanhu zvakanaka, zvinehunhu uye ruremekedzo. Tinofanira kuvaremekedza zvakakwana nekuvapa mibairo (salary) inokwana kuti vararame upenyu husiri hwekutamburira.
• Vanhu vachavanekodzero yekufa zvinehunhu uye zvinechiremera, mitengo yekuviga vanhu, semutengo wemakuva nezvimwe, unofanira kuvawakadzikira.

Kufambiswa kwenhau

• Pachava nevatepfenyuri venhau vemaradio, vematerevhizhini nevanyori vemapepanhau vakawanda uye vakazvimirira voga, vachatepfenyura nekunyora nyaya dzechokwadi uye vasinabato rezvematongerwo enyika ravakarerekera.
• Kuchanyorwa nhau dzinehudzamu, dzisina bato rezvematongerwe enyika kwadzakarerekera uye mapato ezvematongerwe enyika anofanira kuwana mukana wakaenzana wekunyorwa kana kutaurwa nezvawo pamhepo.

Kugadzirisa Uipi

• Pachava nekukumbira ruregerero zvinonzwisisika neavo vakaronga Gukurahundi uye vachapa tsananguro dzechokwadi kuti uipi uhwu hwakaitirwei.
• Vakapona paGukurahundi uye mhuri dzeavo vakanyangarika dzinofanirwa kubhadharwa.
• Hari dzakabviswa kunzvimbo inoyera yeNjelele kuMatopos, Matabeleland, dzinofanirwa kudzoserwa, kushaiwa ruremekedzo kwakaitwa pakudzibvisa kogadziriswa uyekwokumbirwa ruregero.
• Vakarasikirwa nedzimba pakaitwa chirongwa cheMurambatsvina vanofanirwa kupiwa dzimba dzavakavimbiswa uye vanofanirwa kuripwa.
• Vatungamiri varikuba nevakaba upfumi hwenyika kupfurikidza nehuori vanofanirwa kutongwa mumatare edzimhosva.

Kuremekedza Tsika

• Munhu wese achava nekodzero dzinoenzana dzekushandisa rurimi rwake uye kutevedzera tsika nemagariro ekwaanobva.
• Zvizvarwa zveZimbabwe, kunyanya vechidiki, vanofanirwa kudzidziswa tsika nemagariro avo neavamwe kuitira kuti vagogona kuremekedza tsika dzavo nedzevamwe.

Runyararo Neushamwari

• Zvizvarwa zveZimbabwe vanhu vagara vaineushamwari- ngatiratidzei ushamwari uhu kuvavakidzani vedu, muAfrica nemhiri kwemakungwa kuti vagotibatsira kuvaka nyika yechizvarwa Zimbabwe.

Vese vanoda Zimbabwe ngatibatanei pakushandura zviroto zvegwara regutsaruzhinji negadziriso yeiupi hwakaitika muzimbabwe kuti zvigovapo pachokwadi.

REQUEST FOR REMAND
Station: C.I.D. LAW AND ORDER HARARE Prosecutor’s Ref: C.R: 1695/05/2008
Section: C.I.D LAW AND ORDER HARARE. DR 08/5/08 C.R.B. No: 3883/2008
Investigating Officer: Mirimbo A. 043465T Prison No.
(Note: In the case of joint accused, all are to be included on same Request for Remand Form)

Section A
Accused: (full names, N.R/R.C., etc.) JENNIFFER WILLIAMS      Age: 46 yrs

Arrested (date) 28th MAY 2008 Time: 1200hrs

Section B
Offence(s) – COUNT 1. C/S 31(a) (1) of the Criminal Law (Codification & Reform) Act Chapter 9.23 “publishing or communicating false statements prejudicial to the state”
COUNT 2. C/S 30 of the Criminal Law (Codification & Reform) Act Chapter 9:23 “causing disaffection among police force or defence forces

Allegation(s) – On (date) 28TH MAY 2008 at (place) CORNER JULIUS NYERERE AND NKWAME NKHRUMA AVENUE, HARARE the accused (state what the accused did) – SEE ANNEXTURE-

Evidence (state facts linking accused to the commission of crime/offence, e.g. accused was found in possession of stolen , radio, etc)
1. THE ACCUSED PERSON ON BEING ARRESTED WAS FOUND IN POSSESSION OF THE REMINDER OF THE WOZA MOYA NEWSLETTER/FLYERS IN HER CUSTODY.
2. ACCUSED HAD BANNERS/PLACARDS AND IN THE COMPANY OF OTHERS WHO CAN TESTIFY THAT THE FLYERS (WOZA MOYA) BELONG TO THE ACCUSED PERSON.

3. VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBER AAQ 7338, A NISSAN PATROL WHICH ACCUSED WERE USINGWAS RECOVERED.
4. ACCUSED FOUND IN POSSESSION OF BANNERS, PLACARDS AND FLYERS
Value of property stolen/potential prejudice (Frauds, etc.) $………N/A…..Value of property recovered $…N/A

Bail – not opposed/opposed/on Police bail: Yes/No (If yes $ OPPOSED
Reasons for apposing bail are:
1. Accused has known record/previous conviction (state) YET TO BE CHECKED

2. Accused has pending cases at court (quote Station, C.R/CRB No.) BYO CENTRAL CR 1018/6/07 CRs 1018/06/04 AND CRB 310-2/07

3. Accused is likely to abscond (give reasons e.g. has no family, no house, etc) ACCUSED HAS VEHICLES, MEANS OF MOVING FROM ONE POINT TO ANOTHER WHILST EVADING POLICE AND ALSO TRAVEL DOCUMENTS TO LEAVE OR FLEE THE COUNTRY.

4. Accused is likely to interfere with evidence/witnesses (give reasons why you say so) WHEN THE ACCUSED WAS ARRESTED, SOME OF THER MEMBERS OF WOZA MANAGED TO ESCAPE WHILST IN POSSESSION OF THE COPIES OF THE WOZA MOY NEWSLETTER, EFFORTS TO LOCATE AND RECOVER THESE ARE UNDERWAY IF RELEASED, SHE IS LIKELY TO INTERFERE WITH PROCESS.

5. Accused is likely to commit other offences (give reasons): ACCUSED IS VERY ACTIVE LEADER OF THE WOZA, WITH THE APPROACHING PERIOD OF THE RUN OFF (ELECTIONS) SHE IS LIKELY TO KEEP ON DISTRIBUTING THE STATEMENTS AND THUS COMMIT THE SAME OFFENCES AS WELL AS OTHERS.

6. Any other reason(s): THE ACCUSED PERSON IS VERY INFLUENCIAL, SHE HAS GOT MANY SYMPATHISERS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY WHO HAVE GO SOME SAFE HOUSES. IF ACCUSED IS RELEASED, SHE IS LIKELY TO GO INTO HIDING AND IN THE SAME PROCESS EVADE POLICE.

Section D
Date investigation should be completed 16 June 2008 possible number of witnesses (8)
Date: 29/05/2008 Signature:…………………..(Rank) D/A/I………….(No.) 043465t
Checked: Officer/Member-In-Charge

Section E
Officer/Member-In-Charge
Z.R Police
…………………………………………………..

C.I.D. Law & Order Harare D.R. 08/05/2008 C.R.B. /08
Harare Central C.R. 1695/05/2008

ANNEXTURE OF ALLEGATIONS
Count One
C/S 31 (a) (i) of the CRIMINAL Law (Codification & Reform) Act 9:23 PUBLISHING OR COMMUNICATING FALSE STATEMENTS PREJUDICIAL TO THE STATE.
On the 28th May 2008 at the Corner of Kwame Nkhrumah Avenue and Julius Nyerere Way about 1200hrs, the accused person who is a leader of the Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) was arrested by police whilst carrying out a procession in which she was in possession of some flyers which she has been distributing in the street. In one of the WOZA Newsletter the message being communicated was “What is there to celebrate when Zimbabweans no longer have faith that their right to vote is respected? And we will ask them to face the fact that Mugabe as the leader of a so called ( liberation war party) has failed to deliver judicial justice. By refusing to release results timeously and unleashing violence on voters Mugabe has betrayed the one man vote ideal our heroes died for” statement s which are false and prejudicial to the State.

Count Two
C/S 30 of the Criminal Law (Codification & Reform) Act Chapter 9:23 “CAUSING DISAFFECTION AMONG POLICE FORCE or DEFENCE FORCES.
On being arrested as per count one above, the flyer which accused was in possession and distributing, the WOZA newsletter also on a paragraph numbered 5 was communicating the following statement/information “that the uniformed forces realise that there is no peace in the absence of justice. We ask them to respect that Zimbabweans have voted for change and refrain from being used to perpetrate violence and to carry out injustices. When change comes, and it will come, WOZA will demand in audit of the civil servants, including the uniformed forces. We, your neighbours in our communities, know you for the things that you do, both good and bad. We will remember. Hear us loud and clear – your leaders may get generous retirement packages but you will be left to face the justice of the law and the anger of the people. When you see us in the streets, we come in peace with love in our hearts and you have the choice to respond likewise and allow us to do our work as mothers of the nation. Good actions will also be remembered and rewarded.” This statement is likely to cause disaffection among the Police force or the Defence Force as it is likely to induce the members to withhold their services or to commit breaches of discipline whilst trying to confirm with accused’s statement.

THE 14 members who had been arrested on 28 May during a peaceful procession were remanded to trial on 26 August in Harare Magistrate’s Court yesterday morning.

Passports that had been confiscated as part of bail conditions were returned and all reporting conditions were removed. The trial was to have been held on 29 July but was postponed as the State was not ready.

On 15th July, two members charged with distributing materials likely to cause a breach of the peace in Bulawayo Magistrate’s Court were remanded to 16 September as, once again, the State was not ready to proceed to trial.

To read legal documents relating to the case against Jenni Williams and the 13 others, please look in the legal documents folder.

NINE WOMEN, were arrested in Bulawayo on Wednesday night. They are being charged with ‘malicious damage to property’, a charge, which they are denying. Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights are representing the women and hope they will appear in court on Saturday August 16.

Four of the younger members were seen ‘road-writing’ the WOZA ‘love’ slogan and the ‘Woza Moya’ (come healing wind) on a road in Mabutweni suburb of Bulawayo under cover of darkness. They were arrested and detained first at Western Commonage station before being transferred to the dirty police cells at Bulawayo Central. Police officers then threatened them and forced one to point out the homes of other leaders. A further five including two 75 year olds, were taken from their homes and detained. It is unclear why they are facing the same charges or why they were arrested.

WOZA wish to make it clear that the arrest of our members is a further violation of the Memorandum of understanding signed by Zanu PF, and the 2 MDC parties as part of the SADC led Dialogue. It is further proof that Zanu PF may have called for an end to violence in word but no in deed. It is also our view that unless there is an audit and transformation of the police and army, there can be no healing and restoration of human rights in Zimbabwe. We will continue with our grafitti road writing our messages until the politicians hear us loud and clear.

WOZA leaders will march with South Africa labour and civic society on Saturday 16 August 2008 to deliver demands to SADC leaders. Once such demand is articulated in our slogan – Woza Moya which is written on many roads in Zimbabwe by WOZA members.

P.S. Please feel free to donate paint to assist us in this messaging.

ON Saturday 16th, police officers released the nine WOZA members who had been in detention since Wednesday night. Two members, Samukeliso Sibanda and Jema Gama, were asked to report to the police station this morning (Monday).

Upon arrival, the two were advised that they were to be charged with being a ‘public nuisance’ under the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act. They were then taken to the Magistrates Court where they appeared before Magistrate Charity Maphosa. The defence lawyer from Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights advised that they plead guilty, which they did. The magistrate will deliver a ruling at 11:15 on Tuesday 19 August 2008. The charge normally carries a fine.

Whilst the two women appear in court on the 19th, WOZA will launch a report on the trauma experiences of its members in Johannesburg, South Africa, entitled ‘Counting the Cost of Courage: Trauma Experiences of Women Human Rights Defenders in Zimbabwe’.

Isibopho Sabomama (Sisterhood Bond)

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WOMEN OF ZIMBABWE ARISE – WOZA
P. O. Box FM 701, Famona, Bulawayo
By Women for Women and with Women, across Race, Colour, Creed, Class or Political Persuasion. Empowering Women to be Courageous, Caring, Committed and in Communication with their Communities.

WOZA SISTERS
ISIBOPHO SABOMAMA

Ibizo Lami ……………………………………………………………………………………………

Ngiyathembisa ukuthi ngizasebenza kanzima ukuthi ngimele njalo ngixhase odadewethu. Ngizakuba lesandla ekuxhaseni odadewethu kumzabalazo, simanyene sizafika kubanga linye lozulu wonke. Simanyene njalo, sizaletha ukuthula, ukwahlulelwa okusobala, le ngqubela phambili ye Zimbabwe.

Njengokuqhubeka komzabalazo wethu, ngizaqhubeka ngilandela izinqumo lezi:

1. Ngizakhuluma kuzwakale, kumbe santando, ngikhuthaza amanye amakhosikazi ukuthi enze okufanayo. Njalo ilizwi labo lizwakale bangafi bethule. “Umtwana ongakhaliyo ufela embelekweni”.
2. Ukubuthana labanye ngokuthula njalo sixoxa ngokuthi sizakwenzani ngokusihluphayo, kulokuthi sihlale sikhonona kuphela.
3. Ngibelihlombe lokweyama kulabo abahlukuluzekileyo, njalo ngilalelisise. “Udubo oluchathekelenweyo luba yingxenye”.
4. Ngitshengise uthando lesibindi ngekhaya lesigabeni ukuze ngisuse ukwesaba okusebantwini.
5. Amakhosikazi ngomama besizwe, ngakho kumele baqakathekiswe.
6. Ukuba ngummeli wokungabi lodlakela, ukuze abantu babone ukuthi singenelisa ukuhluza okusihluphayo ngokuthula.
7. Ukudinga kanye lokusekela abanye omama abalombono ofanayo.
8. Ukwazi lokwesaba uNkulunkulu, kanye lokukhuthaza izenzo eziphakamisa impilakahle yomoya.
9. Ukukhankasela ukubaluleka ekwenzeni, lokubekezelela imbono lemicabango eyehlukeneyo.
10. “Ukulimala koyedwa, yikulimala kwethu sonke”

Ngiyathembisa!

Yimi: ………………………………………………… Mhlaka: …………………………………………

Umfakazi: ………………………………………… Umfakazi: ……………………………………

Copyright © 2004

OVER 600 members of Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) and Men of Zimbabwe Arise (MOZA) took to the streets of Bulawayo this afternoon, marching straight to Mhlahlandlela Government Complex to demand the immediate forming of a new government as outlined in the 15 September power-sharing deal. Despite this complex being directly opposite the Zimbabwe Republic Police Drill Hall, no members appear to have been arrested at the time of this release.

On several occasions, police officers walked by the protest looking the other way. Workers at the three government complexes along the route met the peaceful procession with big smiles. They demanded copies of the September 2008 Woza Moya newsletter covering our position as regards the power-sharing agreement. At Mhlahlandlela, the security guard received the newsletter and some placards with a broad smile and handed them in to the receptionist.

The protest began at the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) where participants delivered a protest note, complaining about poor electricity supply and high tariffs. Bystanders shouted out – ‘Well done, good job – good job!’ The procession then proceeded several blocks to the government complex where it ended.

The theme of the protest was ‘actions speak louder than words’. Despite it being 15 days since the deal was signed, no progress has been made in forming a new government although it was to have been implemented immediately. Food prices are soaring, electricity and water cuts are increasing but no one seems interested or able to deal decisively with these issues and the ordinary citizens continues to carry the ever-increasing burden. WOZA members, along with the rest of the nation, are starving but unable to access food aid despite recognition in the deal that the situation is urgent.

WOZA is therefore demanding immediate action regarding the formation of a new government that will begin to work on solving urgent social issues, like food, electricity and water. We also requested that the mothers of the nation arise and demand a liveable peace.

During the protest, WOZA members chanted in Ndebele – ‘ayihlale phansi ihambe umthetho’ (sit down and maintain discipline). This was sang both as a way to ensure that the activists maintained non-violent discipline and also as a message to politicians to sit down and respect the deal. Other songs sang include a WOZA favourite – ‘this is an issue that men are failing to solve’.

Some of the placards written by members read – ‘we can’t eat empty promises’; ‘once bitten twice shy’; ‘we are hungry’ and ‘three principals, the talk show is over’.

The protest was also a test to see if freedoms of expression and assembly have opened up and WOZA commend the police for looking the other way. In our view police did not act to arrest anyone because they are fed up and personally support the protest issue.

To read a copy of the newsletter carried by the protestors and which outlines WOZA’s position on the power-sharing agreement signed by the political parties, see below (September 2008 Woza Moya English Edition).

The two members that were arrested yesterday at Mpumelelo Primary School in Mpopoma have been released. They were taken to court this morning but the prosecutor dismissed the case against them.

Meanwhile, members visited another seven schools in Bulawayo, bringing the total to 23 schools visited in the past few days.

At Ingwengwe and Babamberi Primary Schools in Pumula, the authorities welcomed the representatives and encouraged parents with grievances to continue to engage the school through parents meetings. Both headmasters promised to look into the complaints. At Amhlophe Secondary School, also in Pumula, the authorities were unavailable to engage the representatives but the Teacher In Charge took the protests and flyers and emphasized that no pupils were being sent home for failure to pay fees.

At Mtshede Primary School in Njube and Sikhulile High School in Lobengula, members were again welcomed by both authorities who empathised with the parents and promised to look into the issues raised. This was repeated at Lotshe Primary School in Makokoba and Sobukhazi High School in Mzilikazi. Mr. Hlabangene of Lotshe Primary School even went outside to address the other members who were waiting outside the gate. He said the community need to be involved in the development of the school. A sentiment repeated by the headmaster at Sobukhazi who encouraged parents to engage with school authorities about any concerns they may have and not to keep quiet about ideas on ideas of developing the school.

WOZA would like to commend all the school authorities who took the time to listen to the concerns raised by parents at their schools. We hope that they will investigate the complaints made and respond positively. Meanwhile, we continue to urge all parents to engage with schools about any concerns they may have and to speak out about issues affecting their children.