A quote from Eleanor Roosevelt: “Women are like teabags. We don’t know how strong we are until we are in hot water.” Amai Eleanor Roosevelt vanoti,” Madzimai ndivo masamba. Hatizivi kusimba kwavo kusvika vaiswa mumvura inopisa.” UEleanor Roosevelt wathi, “Omama banjengamahlamvu etiye. Abazi ukuqina kwabo baze babesemanzini abilayo.”

POWER TO THE PEOPLE BY MARCH 2008
AMANDLA EBANTWINI NGOMBIMBITHO 2008
SIMBA KUVANHU MUNAKURUME 2008

An open letter to the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA)
Sometimes Available (ZESA)

We, the consumers of electricity, wish to advise you that your service is no longer empowering us but is draining our pockets. We are suffering under load shedding but are being forced to pay high rates. Some of us are being asked to fork out millions for metres. We are also losing our electrical appliances because of your unstable voltage.

Whilst we hear that ZESA is also a victim of the bad and mismanaged economy we hear that ZESA itself is also being mismanaged and there is widespread corruption. Some of your bosses do not pay these high rates, resources are being looted and no one is held accountable.

You were singing ZESA has come with the power – ‘ZESA yawuya nePower’ – saka ZESA yazoyenda nePower yacho? ‘IZESA isibuye lamandla kagetsi’ – pho aseyengaphi lawo mandla? We demand POWER to the people for real!

WE CAN NO LONGER AFFORD TO PAY DUE TO THE HIGH COST OF LIVING AND WE DO NOT LIKE LIVING IN DARKNESS.

We demand to be treated with respect as your customers and demand the following:

1. Stop turning a blind eye to corruption in your company and deal with the criminals.
2. Make sure all those who are getting free electricity, including Government departments pay the same high rates as we are paying.
3. Do something effective to control your voltage; we cannot afford to replace our electrical property.
4. You have also dis-empowered our children who cannot study at night! You have killed our appliances! You have disrespected your customers. We demand that you find us cheaper firewood, candles and matches as we cannot afford to pay $5000 for one candle and $1000 for a box of matches. You are the ones who are not giving us POWER so you should pay for us to have candlelight.
5. WE DEMAND POWER TO THE PEOPLE by March 2008.

Yours, Mothers who are deeply saddened

AMANDLA EBANTWINI NGOMBIMBITHO 2008

Thina, abasebenzisi bamagetsi sifisa ukulazisa ukuthi ukwenza kwenu akusisuthisi kodwa kusidla izikhwama zethu. Sithwele nzima ngokuchitshwa kwamagetsi (load shedding) kodwa sibadala imali ephezulu. Abanye bethu bakhitshiswa inkalakatha zemali (amamillion) amameter. Impahla zethu ezisebenza ngegetsi ziyafa ngenxa yokuhamba kwamagetsi okungapheliyo.

Siyakuzwisisa ukuthi iZESA layo ithwele nzima ngenxa yomnotho omi kubi ngokutshaphazwa kwezomnotho, kodwa sidaniswa yikuthi kuleziphathamandla zenkampani ezitshaphaza impahla zingagqize qhakala.

Lalihlabela lisithi, ‘Zesa yawuya nePOWER’ saka ZESA yazoyenda nePOWER yacho? IZESA isibuye lamandla kagetsi’ pho asiyengaphi lawomandla? Sifuna amandla ebantwini ngeqiniso!

ASISENELISI UKUBHADALA NGENXA YOKUDULA KWEMPILO NJALO ASITHANDI UKUHLALA EBUNYAMENI .

Sifuna ukuhlonitshwa njengabasebenzisi bamagetsi ngakho sithi sifuna okulandelayo:
1. Yekelani ukwenza angathi aliboni ubudlwangudlwangu obuse kampanini lijezise izigangi zenu.
2. Libeleqiniso ukuthi bonke labo abathola Amandla kungela mbadalo kanye labakaHulumende bhadala okufana lathi.
3. Zamani icebo elingamisa ukuhamba kwamandla, Ngoba asenelisi ukuphinda sithenge ezinye impahla zamagetsi.
4. Seliphinde lathathela abantwana bethu amandla, Ngoba abasenelesi ukubala ebusuku. Selibulele impahla yethu! Lehluleke ukuhlonipha amacustomer enu. Sifuna lisidingele inkuni, amakhandlela lomentshisi, njengoba singenelisi ukuthenga ikhandlela $5000, umentshisi nge $1000. Yini elingasipha amandla Ngakho kumele lisibhadalele ukukhanyiselwa yisibane.
5. SIFUNA AMANDLA EBANTWINI NGOMBIMBITHO 2008.

Yithi, OMAMA BENU ABALOKUDANA OKUKHULU

————————————————————————————

SIMBA KUVANHU MUNAKURUME 2008

Isu vashandisi vemagetsi tinoda kukuzivisayi kuti rubatsiro rwenyu harusina rubatsiro asikuti murikutotipedzera mari dzedu. Tirikutambudzika nekudzimwa kwemagetsi nguva nenguva asi murikutimanikidza kubhadara mari yakawanda. Vamwe tirikuto budisa makunun’nu emari kumameter. Uyezvetirikushaiwa magetsi pamusana pemichina yenyu isingashandi.

Tinonzwisisa kuti ZESA nayo inedambudziko remari pamusana pekutambiswa kwezvehupfumi. Tine kusuwa kukuru kuvakuruvakuru veZESA vanochambadza midziyo yekambani vasineyi nazvo.

Mayiyimba muchiti, ‘‘Zesa yawuya nePOWER’ saka ZESA yazoyenda nePOWER yacho? IZESA isibuye lamandla kagetsi’ pho asiyengaphi lawomandla? Tirikutoda simba kuvanhu zvechokwadi!

HATICHAKWANISI KUBHADARA MARI IDZI UYEZVE HATIFARIRE KUGARA MUCHIDIMA.

Tinoda kuremekedzwa sevashandisi vemagetsi uye tinoda izvirikutevera:
1. Regedzayi kutarisira kungemusingawoni hukororo kurimukambani muwone zvekuyita negororo.
2. Itai kuti vese varikuwana magetsi pasina mari yavanobhadara vanoverengera veHurumende vabhadare mari yakafanana neyatiri kubhadarawo.
3. Tsvagayi zvekuyita panyaya yekudzima kwemagetsi; nekuti hatizokwanisi kugadzirisa midziyo yedu inoshanda nemagetsi.
4. Matokanganisa vanavedu vasingachakwanise kuverenga husiku! Uyezve matowuraya midziyo yedu! Matadza kunyara macustomer enyu. Tinoda mutitsvagire huni dzakachipa, maKenduru nemechisi sezvo tisingakwanisi kutenga kenduru re$5000 nemechisi we$1000. Ndimi murikutinyima simba saka tipeyi chibani.
5. TINODA SIMBA KUVANHU MUNA KURUME 2008.

Tisu, VANAMAI VENYU VANEKUSUWA KUKURU

WOZA leaders, Jenni Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu, appeared in Bulawayo Magistrate’s Court today in a continuation of their trial on charges of disturbing the peace. The matter had been postponed from last week to give the High Court time to rule on two appeals placed before it by the defence.

Despite the fact that defence lawyer Kossam Ncube had been to the High Court and seen no ruling, Magistrate Msipa produced a copy of a ruling granting our initial application to delay the trial. The High Court ruling submitted in January granted a delay in trial to 26th February, a date superseded by time. This left the matter of a ruling for the second appeal on the merit of the charges. She refused to further delay the trial pending a ruling from the High Court and indicated she would only stop the trial if she were in possession of an order to stop. This came as no surprise as the State have been overeager to take this matter to trial.

Mr Ncube then applied for a constitutional application on the grounds that the sections under which Williams and Mahlangu are charged violate their constitutional right to freedom of expression, association and assembly. It would be a matter for the Supreme Court to determine if charges constitute a violation of these rights. This is the second application to be made for Williams and Mahlangu by Ncube. The first application is from July 2007 and it is still pending in the Supreme Court.

Magistrate Msipa will hand down her ruling on the application on Monday 9th March at 10 am. She will have to determine if the application has merit or deem it frivolous or vexatious. If she deems it to be frivolous, she will insist on going to trial immediately.

WOZA wishes to express disquiet about the manner in which this matter is being dealt with by the State. At one stage the Magistrate even went so far as to inform Ncube that his arguments were not appropriate at this stage but should be included in his appeal, indicating that a guilty verdict has already been prepared. WOZA asks for observers in court on Monday as concern is mounting that a free and fair trial is not on the cards for Williams and Mahlangu. If convicted they could face up to five years in prison.

Meanwhile, eight members of WOZA and two lawyers arrested on 10th February appeared in Harare Rotten Row Court on 4th March. The matter was to have gone to trial but as the state witnesses were not present, the trial will now take place on 25th March.

WOZA would also like to express solidarity with the released detainees, including Jestina Mukoko. We wish them a speedy recovery from their ordeal. We call upon the state to release all other detainees without any further delay – justice delayed is justice denied.

Court victory for the second day in a row as Magodonga Mahlangu, a Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) leaders is found not guilty of making offensive phone calls. She appeared before Magistrate C. J. Mberewere for ruling after applying for discharge at close of state case. Mahlangu was charged with two counts of making offensive phone calls to Gladys Dube, MDC T Matshobana Ward Chair. She was defended by Nontokozo Tachiona deployed by Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights.

In the ruling made in Tredgold Magistrates court one, the Magistrate stated the first statement made by the complainant lacked credibility and he questioned the authorship of the second statement made in the police law and order department, a different place from where the first statement was recorded in Western Commonage police station. The magistrate highlighted that the quoted words in the two statements were at odds with each other.

Ms Dube had stated that Mahlangu threatened her by saying, “you are a big sell out from the ruling party, we are coming to get you with police, CID personnel, and if Welshman loses you will see it.” The Magistrate expressed amazement, “The idea that the accused has the ability to assemble Welshman Ncube, the CID, and the Police is unbelievable and gives doubts to whether the statement was made. The state failed to prove that the words were said and even failed to prove that they were said to cause annoyance.” said Magistrate Mberewere.

He concluded that it was common among community members to use such language as – ‘you will see or I will never talk to you’ and he therefore did not see how that was threatening as to warrant court charges.

Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) wish to thank the Magistrate for exercising justice. WOZA also thank the Ms Tachiona and Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights for defending Magodonga in the face of this clear case of police persecution. WOZA recognise that their Ward Chair brought this case against WOZA on 1st August 2013 thinking that MDC T were now the ruling party and could use the police to settle scores. The advice WOZA has for MDC T is ‘never count your chickens before they hatch’. WOZA wish to thank Magodonga standing her ground and for fighting the good fight with dignity.

On Thursday 22 March 2012, Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) Leaders Jennifer Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu appeared before Magistrate Godwin Sengweni facing Kidnap and Theft charges. Defence lawyer Kossam Ncube produced a High Court order to ‘stay all criminal proceedings’ in Regional Court A and applied for the two activists to be removed off remand appearances in Court pending the outcome of the Review of the Magistrates decision to refuse to discharge Williams and Mahlangu at close of state case.

As has now become a bad habit the state opposed the application and Magistrate Sengweni remanded to activist to 26 April 2012 when he will
give a ruling on if they are to be removed off remand.

On Friday 23 March 2012 Jennifer Williams and 9 other members arrested on 7 February 2012 in Bulawayo and charged with ‘Criminal Nuisance’ appeared in court 1. Their lawyer Lizwe Jamela, Chief Law officer of ZLHR, submitted an application to take a challenge to the Supreme Court. The Prosecutor and Magistrate will respond on 27 April 2012.

This Supreme Court application is in response to the State insistence on charging the activists with peaceful protest related laws when
there is a landmark ruling won by Williams and Mahlangu for their right to protest to be unhindered. This landmark ruling has been
successfully used by scores of activists but the Williams and Mahlangu cannot seem to enjoy it as a legal precedent.

On the 22nd March, Riot Police surrounded the Tredgold Magistrates court monitoring closely the movement of WOZA leaders and members.
Seven police officers chased anyone standing close to the activists so as to isolate them and scrutinise their movement. They even chased
away a mother breastfeeding her baby on the pavement outside the court.

When the 2 members walked across the road to meet another member, 2 Riot police followed them and searched them. One member was found with a WOZA branded scarf – standing up for my rights – which was immediately judged to be seditious and she was surrounded by 4
officers who held onto her clothing and marched her for one city block until a back up vehicle with a truck load of Riot Police arrived to
pick her up and took her to Bulawayo Central police station. She was advised that she would be detained but two minutes later Mr. Jamela of
Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) arrived the Law and Order plain clothed police officers indicated that she was not under
arrested but was merely picked up for profiling (personal details and affiliations). She was questioned about a ‘proposed’ demonstration
later that day. However WOZA was not planning a protest so she replied that she knew of no such demonstration only Court appearances. She was  then released.

WOZA wish to warn the Police that the public outcry surrounding the searching and arrest our young member should send a strong message
that members of the public are getting irritated with the constant presence of Riot Police in the street conducting arbitrary searches
and chasing people standing in groups away from the city centre. Zimbabweans patience with the military-style policing is wearing thin.

WOZA application to magistrates court to go to Supreme Court 23march2012

On the 23rd April we were arrested in Kuwadzana ZESA for demonstrating against load shedding. We were taken to Harare Central and we were beaten from 16 00hrs to almost 20 00hrs. We were locked in the cells for a few hours. By 800hrs we were again to the Law and Order for beatings again, we were forced to pay fine or else we were to receive more beatings. They wanted to know who was giving us food, when they knew it was WOZA/ MOZA. We were beaten again until we agreed to pay fines since we had been given death threats. The chief culprit was Chari. We were released by 1700hrs the next day.

Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) Leaders Jennifer Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu appeared before Magistrate Godwin Sengweni on Monday 12 March 2012. Their appearance was for continuation of Trial. A review process had been submitted to the High Court and is scheduled to be heard on 19 March 2012 before Judge Cheda Senior.

Advocate Perpetua Dube appearing with Godfrey Nyoni made submissions producing evidence of the set down date. They also presented a Doctors certificate in respect to the health of first accused Jennifer Williams and proof of the purchase of medication causing drowsiness. The Defence requested a postponement until the High Court application has been finalised. Prosecutor Goodluck Katenaire vehemently opposed the application insisting Williams was faking illness to stall the proceedings and that she should take the defence stand.  He went onto to complain that ‘these are the people who say justice delayed is justice denied’.  He made accusations that the Doctors certificate and prescription were fake.

Advocate Dube attempted to argue the matter further with a quote; ‘Justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done’. But with those wise words and a 45minute adjournment Magistrate Sengweni returned to deliver a shocking ruling. He narrated how Williams could not walk unaided and had to be helped in and out of the dock, that she was obviously unable to pay attention to proceedings. He then referred to the court as a ‘human court’ and ordered that she be sent to prison ‘to save her life and dignity’ and be seen by a prison doctor.  He then remanded both accused persons to reappear before him on 15 March.

Scores of WOZA members attending the court in solidarity verbalised their shock. The court had to adjourn so as to clear the courtroom. A further delay was caused by the search for female prison guards to help Williams out of the dock and down the 4 flight of stairs into the prison holding cells. Riot Police were also summoned to remove the upset WOZA members from the pavement surrounding the Court.

This ‘security threat’ apparently caused by peaceful human rights defenders resulted in the prison guards removing Williams off the court property to the downtown prison complex until she could be transported the 30 kilometres to Mlondolozi prison complex.

Meanwhile noting that Williams did not have her handbag with medication, Mahlangu spent 3 hours trying to locate Williams. Prison officers refused to divulge her whereabouts thereby withholding her access to medication till late the following afternoon.

Fortunately the High Court ruled that the trial proceedings must be stopped; Williams original bail conditions restored and that rescued the situation. Williams won her freedom after 2 days and one night in Mlondolozi prison, most of that time without her medication or food and sleeping on dirty prison blankets in an overcrowded cell with 16 other inmates. Despite the nightmare experience WOZA reports that resilient Williams is recovering at home. She was able with the help of Magodonga Mahlangu to walk into the dock in court today 15 March and was remanded to 22nd March 2012.

The High Court matter is in open court on 19 March 2012 and will deal with the review of the refusal by Magistrate Godwin Sengweni to discharge the activists for the kidnap and theft charge at the close of the state case.
for background visit http://wozazim.org/?p=1158

On Friday 30 March WOZA founder and national coordinator Jenni Williams received the 2012 Ginetta Sagan Amnesty International USA award.

WOZA is proud to receive this award along with Jenni. The legacy of Ginetta Sagan is one familiar to the activists of WOZA. The award comes at a time of great trials and tribulations for Jenni and WOZA therefore Ginetta lives on to inspire WOZA members as they commemorate turning 10. Amnesty International activists from all around the globe have supported us through the hard times and it is therefore fitting that they also contribute to the good times with us as we turn 10. Williams who is accompanied by Magodonga Mahlangu is also travelling to Washington DC to meet with officials of the Obama administration. A public reception has been organised on Wednesday April 4th at Busboys and Poets in Washington DC at 5th and K Street in Washington DC.

Note: Previous awards granted to Williams and WOZA include the US Secretary of State International Woman of Courage 2008; Amnesty Germany Human Rights Award 2008; RFK 2009 Human Rights Award and the French National Order of Merit.

AGM 2012 Speech Ana Sagan 

Sagan 2012 press release

Overcoming Fear

With thanks to Centre For Applied Nonviolent Action and Strategies (CANVAS)

WOZA has been reading and hearing about “the talks” and wish to express our views about these.

Firstly, we would like to know exactly what South African President Thabo Mbeki, Tanzanian President Kikwete and our SADC brothers and sisters want to achieve by their mediation. Is their role to bring about a new government without any political, economic and social reform? Or is their objective something more meaningful? To establish themselves as genuine mediators, they should secure the cooperation of the present government in allowing the transitional process to go ahead without interference and press them to step down from office to allow for an effective transition. We shall continue to pressure them to do this, thereby paving the way for a Zimbabwe where all Zimbabweans can enjoy equality and live with dignity.

What is our role as ordinary Zimbabweans, carrying the heaviest burdens and finding it impossible to survive?
Our role can be described in this way. We know where the fireplace is and that there is a pot boiling. We have not been consulted about what is to be cooked and who is to eat the meal when it is ready. While waiting to be called to the table to share the meal, we are busy collecting firewood and bringing it to the fireside so that those currently doing the cooking see it and put it in the fire. If the fire starts to go out, it will be our firewood that is used to light it again so that the pot can keep boiling. When the meal is cooked we will demand a place at the table to share in the meal cooked with our firewood. If the meal is badly cooked, we will refuse to eat and ask them for a better recipe. And just a reminder that mothers make the most memorable meals!

We can go further to say that those mediating the talks, and the politicians involved, should be thinking of the following ingredients if the meal is to be delicious and enjoyed by all Zimbabweans:

1. Violence, in all its forms, should be stopped to allow for a transitional process that can begin the healing process.
2. An all-stakeholders’ conference should be convened 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 transitional process consisting of putting in place an interim authority and outlining a process of constitution making. The interim authority should undertake the following:
3. Assume legislative power; 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). We also call for an end to the selective application of other laws.
4. 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.
5. Begin the process of re-engaging the international community with a view to rehabilitating the economy aimed at job creation.
6. 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.
7. Initiate a constitution-making process, including a plan for transitional justice, consulting all Zimbabweans both at home and abroad.
8. Take the resulting constitutional and transitional justice proposals to a referendum supervised by Southern African Development Community (SADC).
9. Prepare for elections, 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. We will be saying good riddance to Tobaiwa Mudede and his crooked systems.
10. Ensure elections are conducted according to the SADC protocols and under international and regional supervision with international and local observers. The interim authority will then hand over to the winners of the election.

WOZA leaders Williams and Mahlangu appeared on 26th April 2012 in Regional Court A at Tredgold Magistrates Court before Magistrate Sengweni for a ruling. Magistrate Sengweni refused the application for removal off remand appearances and remanded the activists to return to court on Friday 29 June 2012. The application had been made due to High Court application still pending. The application is for a review of the Magistrate’s decision to drop charges at close of the state case.

On 27 April 2012 10 WOZA members, including the national coordinator Jennifer Williams appeared in Court one in the case of the 7 February arrest during a peaceful Valentines Day protest. The matter was for the Magistrate to rule on an application for a Supreme Court application regarding Criminal Nuisance charges. The Magistrate was not present in court and the matter was remanded to 18 May 2012.