MIRIRA MWANA WAKO

Zvesarudzo zvakauya zvikapera saka veWOZA varikuda kuongorora avo vemuno muZimbabwe nedzira yavakanovota nemoyo murefu kwavaka zvipamidza vakamirira vekuZEC kuthi vaite zvinuzvavo zvakanaka. Viki rapera kusisina zwakapuda musarudzo, vekuZEC varikuderera moyo yedu mirefu. Vamwe vedu takano vota tichiziva kuti zvichapuda musarudzo yedu zvichabiwa. Ma poritidzhieni varikungotukana Zimbabwe ichitsva. Kana uchiverenga izvi, funga mwana wako nezvawaimudira kuti aveneupenyu wakanaka. Funga kuti vana vako varikuyiteyi. Varikudzidza zvakanaka here kuchikoro kana varikurara ne maka yokuti hakuna vadzidzisi? Vaka rainira mvura kana varikutema huni? Kana varikure kunedzimwenyika? Ndiyo mangwana  wayinge uchivarotera here? Kana zvakabuda musarudzo zvakangobatirirwa, kuchagara kusina vatongi vatsva negutsaruzhinji ratinoda. Kuswikira rini takangomirira zvapuda musarudzo isu takotoona kwatakavhotera kuti takavhotera mutsauko. Viki rakapera, vanu vakanovota kuti vataure asi matauriro edu hasi kundzvika. Nasi izuva reku mira nerunyararo tichi cheukidza veku ZEC nemaporitizhieni kuti ISU, vavoti, ndisu varidzi vevhoti atimbo vumi kuti vangonyarara vasingatinzvi. Ngavanyare zvatakasarudza tichiyisa X.

Mwana asinga chemi anofira mumbereko.

MWANA WAKO AKATARISIRA IWEWE KUTI UMIRE NEKUNYARARA KUTI UDZIVIRIRE SARUDZO YAKO NEKU SUNUNGURA KUBUDA KWESARUDZO YAKO.

Nasi izuva rekuti tirambe takamira nekuda kutongwa kwevanhu kwakanaka.

Sarudzo yedu muviki rakapera yange irimwe ndzira yekuyeuchidza vatongi vedu kuti tirikuda gutsaruzhinji, inovumira kuti vanhu vose vawane ,mikana yakayenzana pakunzvanana kwevanhu, paupfumi wenyika, remekedzo rwedzimwe ndudzi, zvitendero, pasina basa kuti varungu, vatema, vanababa kana vanamai, vakapfuma, vasina, kana panezvose zvekubatirira vanhu.

Izvi ndizvo zvange tichifungidzira patakano sarudza vatongi vedu.  Tirikuda vatongi vacha kuridzira izvi:

·    Kugutsikana nemakodzero mutsika, nemagariro, zvematongerwo enyika, zvehupfumi
·    Mikana yakayenzana munzvimbo dzatinogara nemikana yakayenzana muvanhurume nevanhukadzi kuyenzana kwemarudzi akasiyana
·    Kuremekedza kodzero dzevanhu zvikuru kodzero dzevanhukadzi nevana
·    Rusununguko mukutaura zwaunoda, kusangana nekuwirirana newawunoda
·    Remekedzo rwedzimwe ndudzi nezvitendero zvevanhu
·    Kubuda pachena pane zvese zvavarikuita nekukwanisa kupindura mivunzo zvinogutsa.
·    Mikana yakayenzana munezvematongerwo enyika nezvehupfumi
·    Wese aparamhosva anofanirwa kutongwa pangasingatariswe kuti ndiani – uye mikana mukutongwa kunoenzana nekunzwisisa mutemo
·    Gachiriro yezviyitiko zvakayitika kare zvashunguradza vanhu zvakayita seGukurahundi neMurambatsvina
·    Gutsaruzhinji
·    Kuve nemukana wekuwana dzidzo
·    Kuve nemukana wekuwana kudya kwakakwana
·    Kuve nemukana wekuwana dzimba, magetsi, chimbudzi nemvura yakachena
·    Kunge tichirapwawo muzvipatara nemari dziripasi uyezve kuwana mishonga nemaARV’s
·    Mikana yakayenzana mukugoviwa kwevhu nezvokurimisa
·    Mikana yakayenzana munezvemabasa zvekuzvibatsira nehupfumi nekodzero yako yekunge uchiwana mari inokuraramisa
·    Kuva ne zvivakwa nezvifambiso zvisingadhure
·    Kushandiswa kwezviwanikwa zvedu ngakuite kuti zviwanikwa zvedu zvekurarama nekusingaperi

Sevana vemuZimbabwe tinofanirwa kuwana kutongwa kwakanaka kwevanhu kwatinogara tichizvitaura, asi tichazviwana kana takazvigadzirira kuramba takamira tichivaudza vatongi vedu zvatinoda isusu. Ngatitangei nasi.

Iyi ndiyo nguva yokusimba wakamirira mangwana yemwana wako

STAND UP FOR YOUR CHILD
Participate in reclaiming our country’s future

The election date has been announced for 29 March 2008 and we know that now is the time candidates will be coming to us making all kinds of promises to make us vote for them. It is also the time when people realise that they have the chance to decide who will lead our country. WOZA wants you to realise that now is also the time when you should be seriously looking at what the future holds for the next generation. When you read this newsletter, please sit down and think about your child and the dreams you had of a better life for them. Look around you at what your children are doing. Are they in school studying hard and doing well or sleeping on their desks without teachers? Are they queuing at the boreholes or in the bush looking for firewood? Or far away in a foreign land? Is this the future you imagined for them?

YOUR CHILD EXPECTS YOU TO CHANGE THIS BY TAKING FOUR STEPS
1.    Register to vote and check that your name appears on the voters roll.
2.    Attend any rally that you can and ask questions of the candidates, so you can be sure you will vote wisely.
3.    Get up early on 29 March 2008 and go and vote. There are many candidates in this election and we recommend that you vote for a candidate rather than a party. If we do not have independent observers; a proper delimitation process; vote counting and announcement directly from the polling station, then the election process is flawed and can easily be rigged so we must all be vigilant and watch out for those who cheat.
4.    Defend your vote from the time you cast it until it is counted and announced. Just the same way you defend your child, you should defend your vote.

We are disappointed that the election date has been made without our 10 steps and hope that we will vote for someone who will address these steps within 100 days of office.

1.    Violence, in all its forms, must be stopped to allow for a period of healing, peace and justice.
2.    The winners of the election should convene an all-stakeholders’ conference with the following participants: all political parties, non-governmental organisation, churches, labour, business, youth and women all meeting on an equal basis.  Their agenda is to devise a programme for peace and development using the PEOPLE model – People for Economic Opportunity, Peace, Learning and Empowerment
3.    They should also constitute an All-Stakeholders’ Commission with the mandate to outline a process of constitution making. Initiate a constitution-making process, including a plan for transitional justice, consulting all Zimbabweans both at home and abroad.
4.    Having assumed legislative power, they should repeal oppressive legislation against freedom of expression and assembly such as the Public Order and Security Act (POSA) and Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA). An end to the selective application of other laws.
5.    Conduct an audit of civil servants, the judiciary and law enforcement agents as to their professional and non-partisan conduct. Offenders should be sent to re-training/community service or for prosecution. The youth militia should be disbanded and the defence forces should be confined to barracks for retraining.
6.    Begin the process of re-engaging the international community with a view to rehabilitating the economy aimed at job creation.
7.    Carry out a land audit to lay the basis for a permanent and equitable solution to land reform, while promoting immediate resumption of food production.
8.    Take the resulting constitutional and transitional justice proposals to a referendum supervised by Southern African Development Community (SADC). Ensure the referendum has been conducted according to the SADC protocols and under international and regional supervision with international and local observers.
9.    Prepare for the referendum, including reconstituting the Registrar General’s department, preparing new electoral laws, appointing an independent electoral commission and delimitation commission to prepare an electoral roll and prepare for the election.
10.

On Valentine’s Day, WOZA march for Bread and Roses – bread representing the need for affordable food and the roses representing dignity and the call for social justice.  In 2008, nothing has changed. We still need to afford to eat and we still desire a dignified and good life – a life where we can enjoy social justice, a life that we have outlined in the People’s Charter.

Social justice 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.

It can be the way we interact with others and a method of governance that includes the following:
·    Full enjoyment of all social, political, economic and cultural rights
·    An equal society including gender equality
·    Respect for 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)
·    Access to affordable education
·    Adequate and affordable food
·    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.

Stand up for your child’s future.

Stand up for your child in 2008

2008 has started with huge increases in school fees. When schools closed last year, there were very few teachers, almost no books and many children had already dropped out because they could not pay the fees. This year is no better. The country is a disaster; even if you have money, you cannot get cash or easily find something to buy. There is nothing to celebrate and very little that people can smile about. But you will always find children smiling and laughing – they are happy that someone loves them and will stand up for them. Many parents sacrifice for their child to be educated. In some countries, parents are even sent to jail if they do not send their children to school. But in Zimbabwe, parents cannot provide their children with this basic right to an education.

Our government, which is a government of ‘parents’ and so-called liberation war veterans, knows that the war was fought with the promise of FREE PRIMARY EDUCATION. Blood was spilt for this promise to have been fulfilled. Instead of enjoying the fruits of liberation, after school fees went up by 1,000% last year, school fees are again being increased by millions this year. Government is now also saying that they cannot afford to pay teachers and want the parents to pay them. Is the country bankrupt? If it is then why is there money for the CIO to do whatever they want to do and for the chefs to get new cars? Where are they getting the money from and why can this money not be used to fulfil the promise of free primary education?

Our education system is being allowed to collapse and our children’s future is being sacrificed on the altar of political power by a bunch of corrupt, insensitive, selfish thieves. Can we continue to keep quiet whilst our children are robbed of their future?

Is it a good thing for parents to vote for a politician who has stolen our children’s hopes and dreams? Too many of our children have been forced to become thieves and prostitutes in order to survive or die alone in foreign countries, far away from their loved ones.

Every parent dreams of a better life for their children – that their children will grow strong, be happy, have many children of their own and be successful enough to look after us in our old age. During the liberation war, we were promised free primary education because they wanted all Zimbabweans to be highly educated. To allow the education system to collapse is a crime – for how long must we have to suffer for the crimes of this government? They are stealing our future, which is the same as stealing our lives.

Now is the time to stand strong for your children’s future and for your own.

Remember the proverb taught to us by our ancestors – look after your children because they will look after you when you are old. Chirere chakura chichakurerawo / mondle angakhula uzakondla lawe.

Another African proverb tells us that when spider webs unite, they can tie up a lion. Let us learn from the wisdom of our ancestors – if we come together, we can take back our children’s future.

WOZA urges you to join us in 2008 in standing up for the future of our children.

Mela Umntanakho Ngo 2008

U2008 uqale ngokwenyuka kwenhlawulo yemali yesikolo okwedluliseyo. Zithe zivalwa nyakenye izikolo bekulababalisi abathize,ingwalo zokubala phose bezingekho njalo inengi lezifundi zihlale phansi emakhaya ngoba zingenelisi inhlawulo zesikolo ebezisenyuka njalonje. Lonyaka akulabungcono ilizwe lifahlakele lanxa ulemali yakho kawufinyeleli ukuyithola,uthi lanxa usuyiphethe ofuna ukukuthenga kunzima ukutholakala. Akukho okusijabulisayo empilweni njalo kumbalwa okungasenza sibobotheke, kodwa abantwana sivame ukubathola bebobotheka njalo behleka bajabula nje ngoba bayazi ukuthi kulomuntu obathandayo njalo ozabanakekela. Inengi labazali liyazinikela kanzima ukuze abantwababo bafunde. Kwamanye amazwe kulicala ukungahambisi umntanakho esikolo abazali abehluleka ukwenza lokho bazithola besentolongweni, kodwa eZimbabwe umumo ubenza bengenelisi ukupha ilungelo elimqoka lemfundo kubantwababo.

Uhulumende wethu,onguhulumende ‘wabazali’ lalaba abazithi bangabalweli benkululeko, bayazi kamhlophe ukuthi impi yaliwa kulezithembiso, esinye ‘ESEMFUNDO YAMAHALA KUZENGA LEMFUNDO YAPHANSI’. Igazi lachitheka ukuze lesisithembiso sifezeke. Kulokuthi sikholise izithelo zempi yenkululeko, sibone nyakenye inhlawulo yezikolo isenyuka ngenkulungwane ekhulwini (1000%), lonyaka siqala futhi ngokwenyukiswa kwenhlawulo zesikolo ngezigidi lezigidi zamadola. Uhulumende uthi kasenelisi ukukhangela indleko zesikolo kanye lokuhlawula iholo lababalisi kumele inhlawulo ikhokhwe ngabazali. Kanti ilizwe alisela mali na? Nxa kunjalo kungani kulemali yokuhlawula (amapholisa agqoke ezabo) amaCIO ukuze benze ingqe yini, kuziphathamandla zikahulumende zona kasikhulumi bahamba ngamanzi ezimota ezinhle okwamagama? Kanti eyabo imali yokwenza santando bayithola ngaphi njalo kungani limali le ingaphiwa isikhwama sezemfundo ukuze isithembiso semfundo yamahala yezenga laphansi sigcwaliseke?

Izenga lemfundo yethu kayisanakekelwa iyekelwa ibhidlika nje bengagqize qhakala njalo ikusasa yabantwabethu isibengumnikelo kukhuselwa abafuna amandla ezombangazwe sikhuluma ngequla elilenkohlakalo, elingela zwelo,amasela ezinakekela wona kuphela. Singaqhubeka sithule sisekela betshontsha ikusasa yabantwabethu na?

Kungaba yinto enhle na? Ukuthi abazali baqhubeke besekela ngamavoti abezombangazwe abatshontshe ithemba lamaphupho abantwabethu? Inengi labantwabethu seliziphilisa ngendlela ezingalunganga ezinjengokutshontsha lokuthengisa imzimba yabo njalo inengi labo lidela amakhaya liyekhatshana kwamanye amazwe baze bafe bebodwa bengela zihlobo labangane.

Kuliphupho lomzali wonke ukuthi abantwabakhe babe lekusasa enhle – ukuthi bazakhula kuhle beqinile,bejabula,bandise umdeni wakwabo baphumelele empilweni bamondle laye nxa esekhokhoba. Ngesikhathi sempi yenkululeko sathenjiswa imfundo yamahala kuzenga laphansi ngoba sasifuna ukuthi ilizwe lonke libe ngelifundileyo. Ngakhoke ukwekela izenga lemfundo libhidlike kulicala – kuze kube nini sidubeka ngokona kukahulumende lo? Batshontsha ikusasa yethu okufana xathu lokutshontsha impilo zethu.

Manje sekuyisikhathi sokuthi sibophe ziqine simele ikusasa yabantwabethu lekusasa yethu

Asikhumbuleni amazwi ahlakaniphileyo abokhokho bethu – ikhotha eyikhothayo – ngakhoke mondle angakhula uzakondla lawe.

Amanye amazwi ahlakaniphileyo athi intandela yobulembu obunengi buyasibopha nko isilo sesilwane. Asifundeni inhlakanipho kubokhokho bethu – nxa singamanyana singabuyisa ikusasa yabantwabethu endleleni eqondileyo.

IWOZA iyalimema ukuthi lihlanganele lathi ekumeleni ikusasa yabantwabethu.

Let me not pray to be sheltered from dangers but to be fearless in facing them. Let me not beg for the stilling of my pain, but for the heart to conquer it. Rabindranath Tagore

 Still standing strong for our children
– a Mother’s Day message from WOZA

As Mothers Day draws near, we, the mothers of the nation, have examined our existence and that of our children and decided that enough is enough. We are deeply concerned about the current political impasse. The collapse of the schooling and health systems need to be urgently addressed by a new government but these issues are being ignored due to the election impasse. We cannot keep on waiting however; our lives are at stake. We voted in peace on 29 March but we are being punished for choosing to vote for a change.

Behind the fist
The ‘fist’ is the trademark of Robert Mugabe. We have seen how this fist works. People in Matabeleland and Midlands, supporters of ZAPU, were killed during Gukurahundi in the early 1980’s. Residents of Porta Farm also paid a high price for Mugabe’s hatred of Ndabaningi Sithole. In 2000, Mugabe launched violent land invasions to punish Zimbabweans who refused his constitutional amendments, and we are still paying the price of hunger today. In 2005, Operation Murambatsvina was designed to quell rising dissent and support for the Movement for Democratic Change after the 31 March 2005 election. When he saw the true results of the March 29 election he launched Operation MaVhoterapapi (where have you voted).

Mhosva haitongwi nekurwa – to use violence is to admit defeat

Recognising WOZA’s role as human rights defenders, we therefore call on Robert Mugabe to immediately hand over power to the winner of the presidential election, Morgan Tsvangirai. Mugabe as the leader of a so-called ‘liberation war party’ has failed to deliver social justice. The heroes who lie buried at Heroes Acres and in unmarked graves in surrounding countries died for this ideal – one man one vote.

We do not want a presidential election run-off because this will result in more violence as we campaign for the candidate of our choice. There can be no free and fair environment in any district of the country at present with violence as it is.

In preparation for the run off, it seems Zanu PF have made moves to ‘starve’ any supporters of the pro-democracy activists. WOZA members report being unable to buy mealie meal if they do not produce a Zanu PF card. Many supermarkets now form two queues one for Zanu PF members which is serviced and another queue whose occupants go home empty handed.

We ask the real war veterans to help us stop the violence and speak out against those perpetrating the violence in their name. We know ‘war veterans’ met villagers in Mukuwa, Matabeleland South and told them – “we are declaring war”. Is this why they ordered weapons from China? To kill ordinary Zimbabweans who simply want a better life and the full realisation of the liberation war promises?

Induku kayakhi muzi – fighting does not build a home; war does not build a nation

We call on the uniformed forces to realise that there is no peace in the absence of justice. 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 an audit of all 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.

As mothers we advise that during this period, Zimbabweans must remain calm but committed to making their vote count. This is a time for courage and also a time for humility. It is in this spirit that we call on the Chief Election Officer, Lovemore Sekeramayi, to use his powers under the 5th Schedule of the Electoral Act, to declare the candidate with the ‘greatest number of votes’ the winner forthwith. He knows who won fair and square and should declare Morgan Tsvangirai the winner. Our lives depend on his courage and sense of decency.

We also call on SADC, the African Union and United Nations to show their solidarity for the people and respect that Zimbabweans have already chosen a new president and that their vote should count. The current government are trying to subvert the laws of the land and allowing Mugabe to stay in power when he lost the election.

Change will come. The people’s voices will be heard and respected.
We just need to keep standing strong.

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WOZA would like to thank the South African Transport and Allied Worker’s Union (SATAWU) for their solidarity in refusing to offload the weapons that the government has bought to kill us with from the Chinese ship of death. The continued support from the International Transport Workers Federation and the promised solidarity from the Angolan transport union are also appreciated. Amandla ngawethu!

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We would like to salute the courage of those Zimbabweans who refuse to be cowed by violent bullies and who continue to stand up for what is right. Special mention should be made of Tabitha Marume who was shot in the stomach by CIO agent, Daniel Romeo Mutsunguma, who is based at the Zimbabwe Embassy in Washington DC.

A true shero, Tabitha had been part of a group of seven MDC activists who had walked to a torture camp to demand the release of their colleagues who had been abducted by soldiers.

Her courage in the face of hatred and violence inspired over 10,000 villagers in Makoni West to attend her funeral, despite threats made against them.

Sister Tabitha, may your soul rest in eternal peace.

WOZA would also like to salute all the others that have lost their lives for believing that a better tomorrow is possible.
Your names will be remembered. Your sacrifice will not be in vain.

WOZA members arrested in Harare

AT noon today, 600 members of Women and Men of Zimbabwe marched to Parliament in Harare to mark International Peace Day. 25 members were arrested at Parliament (most of them handing themselves in) and taken to Harare Central Police Station. 58 more handed themselves in in solidarity with their arrested comrades after marching from Parliament to Harare Central. Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights have confirmed that the total arrested is 83, both women and men. They will spend the night in custody even though police officers are still not sure what charges to prefer or if they even have a case against the activists as most handed themselves in.

The aim of the peaceful protest was to highlight community safety issues and police behavior in communities. When the peaceful group arrived at Parliament, they handed over a list of demands for members of the Zimbabwe Republic Police, the Police Commissioner and the co-Ministers of Home Affairs to police officers stationed outside Parliament. The full list of demands can also be found below.

WOZA members outside Parliament

Two members addressed the peaceful group outside Parliament explaining that tomorrow (21st September) is International Peace Day and using the example of the violence at COPAC consultations over the weekend to illustrate how Zimbabweans have little experience of peace. They called on the Zimbabwe Republic Police to allow Zimbabweans to be able to give their views of what they want in a new Constitution without violence and called on police to arrest those that threatened others or used violence.

Bystanders were overheard supporting the protestors – commenting on the violence shown by police officers in recent weeks and how police officers should be ashamed of themselves for not being the ones to keep the peace.

WOZA members have been worried about the performance and professionalism of our police officers for some time. As a result, WOZA has observed their behavior in select communities in Bulawayo and Harare for four months.

WOZA members observed police officers beating suspects in public; harassing vendors and taking their goods for their own use, without any receipting; demanding and accepting bribes, both in public and at police stations; drinking in uniform in public, sometimes stopping to drink while escorting suspects who will be under arrest and making people under arrest ‘run’ in front of their motor bikes and/or horses to the police station. In Bulawayo, many police officers refuse to respond to citizens’ complaints if they speak in the Ndebele language, insisting they speak in Shona.

75% of people whose rights were violated during arrest reported damages, injuries and or loss of property. These incidents are common when one is arrested by the plain-clothed and municipal police.

A more detailed account of our findings can be found in the Woza Moya newsletter below. The investigations done during the four months is just a small part of what is happening and are a reflection of a poor relationship between police and the community. It is clear that police officers routinely violate human rights and do not follow proper protocols of arrest and detention. In this regard, they are not following the Zimbabwe Police Act, the ZRP Service Charter and ZRP Service Standards as well as regional and international standards and instruments.

These arrests come after many constitutional consultations in Harare over the weekend were marred by violence from ZANU PF youth. It is unclear how many, if any, of these violent youths have been arrested and yet 83 peace activists, asking police to work together with them to promote community safety, are the ones that have been arrested.

WOZA is currently suing the co-Ministers of Home Affairs over the filthy and inhumane conditions in Harare Central Police Station. By all accounts, conditions have not improved and are still soiled with human waste.

Please phone Harare Central Police Station on +263 4 777777 to demand that the WOZA activists be released immediately.

For the full list of demands and more information on WOZA’s observations of police behaviour in Harare and Bulawayo over the last four months, click here: Woza Moya Sep-10

For more information on the ZRP Service Charter, Service Standards or the SARPCCO Harare Protocol Code of Conduct, click on the following links: ZRP Service Charter, ZRP Service Standards, SARPCCO Hre Protocol-Code of Conduct

WOZA members arrest themselves in solidarity outside ZESA headquaters in Harare

61 of the 65 members, including juveniles, arrested outside ZESA headquarters in Harare earlier today have been released without charge. Four members, Jenni Williams, Magodonga Mahlangu, Clara Manjengwa and Celina Madukani, remain in custody and will spend the night in cells. They are being charged with participating in an illegal gathering.

Please continue to call Harare Central Police Station on (+263 4) 777777 or (+263 4) 736931 or (+263 4) 725803 or (+263 4) 733033 or (+263 4) 721212 to demand that the WOZA activists be taken to court tomorrow and that they not be mistreated in custody.

Watch footage from the demonstration here: clip-21

FOURTEEN members appeared yesterday morning, 26th August, before Magistrate Doris Shomwe in Harare Magistrate’s Court. They had been arrested near the Zambian Embassy in Harare on 28 May 2008, where they were to hand over a petition to the SADC chair calling for an end to post-election violence.

Magistrate Shomwe allowed the state’s application for the trial to be postponed to 15 October 2008 on grounds that the prosecutor, Zvekare, who was familiar with the case, had fallen ill and could not be in court.

Harrison Nkomo, the defence lawyer, had requested that the group be removed off remand on the grounds that the state was obviously not prepared as they had failed to deliver the court papers by 18th August as promised and the continued appearances in court were prejudicial to the accused. He also argued that the state had not provided any evidence that Zvekare was actually ill, what he was suffering from and how long he had been ill for.

The replacement prosecutor Kaka had the activists speechless with his antics. He insisted that the state was ready to proceed and could immediately hand over copies of the docket but when the defence followed him to his office following the hearing; it became apparent that the docket is not complete.

Just another day in a politicised court system. WOZA look forward to the day there will be a democratic transition in Zimbabwe that results in the judiciary and police being depoliticised so that long-harassed human rights defenders can access a just and fair legal system.

Leaders of Women and Men of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA/MOZA) today met with the co-Ministers of Home Affairs, Kembo Mohadi and Giles Mutsekwa. The meeting was requested through the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP). The human rights defenders were accompanied by Dzimbabwe Chimbga from Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR).

The two hour meeting was attended by the Permanent Secretary of Home Affairs, Mr. Melusi Machiya and three other unnamed officials. Surprisingly, Registrar General, Tobaiwa Mudede was also in attendance.

The ministers advised that they had called the meeting after receiving numerous reports from law enforcement agencies regarding the activities of WOZA. Minister Mutsekwa opened by advising that the motive of the meeting was to “bring WOZA and the ZRP to equal terms, restore harmony and to remove discord and suspicion”. The minister went on to mention that the power sharing government is negatively regarded locally and internationally as an oppressive government as a result of WOZA’s negative publications and that this is affecting their ability to attract investors.

Minister Mohadi admitted that the police had been accused of being partisan in the past which had led to the sharing of the Home Affairs ministry. He stressed that Zimbabweans should obey their laws fully or if they do not like the Public Order and Security Act (POSA), which is on their statute books, they should lobby parliament for amendments. He went on to say that when the ministers had come into office they had announced to Zimbabweans that the time for squabbles is over and that they should desist from any activities that could jeopardise the inclusive government and that WOZA should have taken their cue from that. He also insisted that WOZA should put their trust the police as they are supposed to keep order. .

With that introduction, they asked the WOZA delegation to respond. National Coordinator, Jenni Williams related that at first WOZA had notified police of their intention to hold peaceful demonstrations. Police interpreted ‘notify’ as ‘apply’ and that had lead to police trying to refuse our right to assembly. At one stage they had threatened that they would shoot to kill if members went into the streets. Williams also mentioned that police do not comply with POSA regulations as regards how to disperse a gathering, be it lawful or unlawful, but use excessive force. Williams also advised that WOZA does not need to notify police as it falls under POSA exemption schedules as a non-political organization. In this regard, WOZA has successfully defended its right to assembly in seven trials.

At this point a legal argument began which continued for over 30 minutes with the ministry interpreting the exceptions to suit their demand that WOZA must notify before their demonstrations. Despite clarity that a ‘gathering’ included a procession or a demonstration, and therefore exemptions applied, the ministers were adamant that exemptions do not apply to a demonstration. This matter remained unresolved and Minister Mutsekwa insisted that the legal matter be argued between the Attorney General and Mr. Chimbga.

In closing the meeting, Minister Mutsekwa lectured on the “need for peace and tranquillity in the country and we have to correct the wrong impression that we are a lawless country.” “We ask you to start to obey the country’s laws so that investors start coming in and we can all benefit. There is a bigger picture than your issues. We are going to call a press conference about our meeting with you.”

With those comments they then declared that if WOZA notify police before any demonstrations, both ministers would not be found wanting in personally disciplining any police excesses. Implicit in this statement is the threat that if WOZA continues to exercise their constitutional rights to freedom of expression and assembly and their exemption under the Public Order and Security Act, they will continue to allow the police to ignore clear instructions for dispersing a procession covered under law.

WOZA’s legal opinion remains as follows: the Public Order and Security Act currently provides the law for the maintenance of public order and security in Zimbabwe. Under Section 2 of the Act, a public gathering is defined as a “public meeting or a public demonstration”. Sections 23, 24 and 25 outline the procedure to be followed by a convener who intends to organize public demonstrations as defined under the Act. At the end of the Act appears a schedule of gatherings to which sections 23, 24, 25. Of particular relevance to this situation is paragraph (i) of the schedule which excludes “any club, association or organization which is not of a political nature and at which the discussions and matters dealt with are not of a political nature’ from having to give any notification.

WOZA therefore clearly falls within the provisions of section (i) of the schedule and is not obliged to give notice whenever it has its peaceful processions on issues which are non-political in nature.

WOZA values the opportunity to directly engage with the co-ministers and acknowledges the time they spent discussing with us. We will continue to stand firm on our right to enjoy fully our freedom of expression and assembly without hindrance. And in so doing, know that we are obeying the letter of the constitutional provisions and the unfortunate Public Order and Security Act. Peaceful protest is not the only means by which WOZA members choose to engage with their leaders about issues that affect them in their daily lives. In a country where democratic space remains limited, however, we the ordinary people of Zimbabwe will continue to grab any space possible to get our voices heard.

“This year, the International Day of Peace takes on special meaning. This is the year we also mark the sixtieth anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. We know that human rights are essential to peace… There is so much to unite around on this International Day of Peace. I call on world leaders and peoples around the world to join forces against conflict, poverty and hunger, and for all human rights for all.” United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon

21 September is the International Day of Peace OUR THEME: ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS
We want ACTION; we want a new GOVERNMENT that will deliver food, electricity and water NOW. Mothers of the Nation, ARISE and demand a liveable peace for yourselves and your children.

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WOZA has consulted members on their views about the ‘Deal‘, which we shall hereafter refer to as the ‘document’, because at the moment it is just a document – full of promise but for the moment words without meaning. As we commemorate International Day of Peace, we await news of the implementation of the power-sharing agreement signed by ZANU PF and the two MDC formations. According to article 25 of the document, it was supposed to enter into force immediately after it was signed. We expected parliament to have been called and a new government to already be working to address our urgent needs – but nothing has happened to date despite the fact that it was signed on 15 September, the first United Nations International Day of Democracy.

There have been conflicting opinions and media reports on how and when a new government will be formed. There is still an air of uncertainty about how it will work. There are delays in resolving these issues, and the provisions of the agreement will not be legally binding until they have been translated into constitutional amendments or changes in existing legislation.

As to the content of the document, we are waiting to see if they were serious when they wrote this sentence: “to build a democratic and just, inclusive society free of fear, violence, patronage, corruption and to ensure a better life for all Zimbabweans.

We note with interest the issues highlighted in the document – calls for an end to violence, respect for human rights and freedoms of expression and assembly, economic and social justice, security sector reform, constitutional reforms and national healing. Issues that WOZA members have been beaten and arrested for demanding.

We also await the day when there are fair and just courts to prosecute perpetrators when they are charged. See Article 18.5 (c) that the Government shall apply the laws of the country fully and impartially in bringing all perpetrators of politically motivated violence to book.

Whilst we welcome the constant references to gender equality, we recognise that these references are an attempt to silence our criticism that we were left out as women and their views were not represented at the negotiating table. We wait to see if they actually implement all the gender equality they talk about.

The only mention that Zimbabwe faces economic problems is contained in Paragraph 5, in which the parties commit themselves to “arresting the fall in living standards and reversing the decline of our economy”. During this crisis we have seen wealth owned by the Zimbabwean people looted and resources sold cheaply to others. We are concerned that the spirit of the document is phrased to allow the political leadership of ZANU to get off the hook. The wording gives too much importance to the ZANU PF propaganda and lies about the cause of economic decay being ‘western imperialists’ and their ‘sanctions’. The document is therefore based on a false picture. Much of the blame belongs to the ZANU PF ruling elite, they have looted our wealth and even today, they are stealing the food out of our mouths.

We are a traumatised nation urgently in need of national healing. The first step will be to see the perpetrators of violence being arrested and charged. We, mothers of the nation, lived through the Lancaster House ceasefire, which did not deliver the promises of the liberation war. There was no national healing programme. We lived through the massacres in Matabeleland and Midlands leading to the 1987 Unity Deal, which swallowed the opposition ZAPU and disgraced the ideal of one-man-one-vote. There was still no justice and national healing.

This time, we cannot allow Mugabe, Tsvangirai and Mutambara to get away without a full consultative programme of national healing and justice and delivering on the promises in the document. There is a saying – once bitten, twice shy – will this happen again?

We would like to renew our call to the uniformed forces to realise that there is no peace in the absence of justice. Respect the agreement and refrain from being used to perpetrate violence and to carry out injustices. 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. We will also be watching to see what actions the police will take when we conduct our demonstrations.

Mahatma Ghandi advises us: “You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty.”

WOZA is therefore confident that Zimbabweans, through a coordinated campaign by civic groups, churches and unions, will fully participate in a national healing programme. We will also fully participate in mobilising for a people-driven constitutional process and implementation. The agreement provides an opportunity for our demands in our People’s Charter to be addressed, so that the nation can enjoy social justice. WOZA members are fully committed to making the dream of a new Zimbabwe into a living reality.

The Agreement also promises:

“a shared determination to uphold, defend and sustain … national unity… a nation where all citizens respect and, therefore, enjoy equal protection of the law and have equal opportunity to compete and prosper in all spheres of life.”

“our shared commitment to re-orient our attitudes towards respect for the Constitution and all national laws, the rule of law, observance of Zimbabwe’s national institutions, symbols and national events.”

“the rights of all Zimbabweans regardless of political affiliation to benefit from and participate in all national programmes and events freely without let or hindrance.”

“accepting and acknowledging that the values of justice, fairness, openness, tolerance, equality, non-discrimination and respect of all persons without regard to race, class, gender, ethnicity, language, religion, political opinion, place of origin or birth are the bedrock of our democracy and good governance.”

“a society free of violence, fear, intimidation, hatred, patronage, corruption and founded on justice, fairness, openness, transparency, dignity and equality.”

“the historical obligation and need to reach a solution that will allow us to put Zimbabwe first and give the people a genuine chance of rebuilding and reconstructing their livelihoods.”

“7.1:c) shall give consideration to the setting up of a mechanism to properly advise on what measures might be necessary and practicable to achieve national healing, cohesion and unity in respect of victims of pre and post independence political conflicts.”

“12: undertake training programmes, workshops and meetings for the police and other enforcement agencies directed at the appreciation of the right of freedom of assembly and association and the proper interpretation, understanding and application of the provisions of security legislation.”

14: call upon traditional leaders not to engage in partisan political activities at national level as well as in their communities.”

16: In times of need, every Zimbabwean regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, political affiliation and religion is entitled to request and receive humanitarian and food assistance from the State.”

“18: Gravely concerned by the displacement of scores of people after the election of March 29, 2008 as a result of politically motivated violence…”

It is these words that made us choose our theme: ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS We want ACTION; we want a new GOVERNMENT that will deliver FOOD, ELECTRICITY and WATER NOW. Mothers of the Nation, ARISE and demand a liveable peace for yourselves and your children.

Woza Moya – WOZA