To:

• First Secretary and Chairman, Zanu PF – R. G. Mugabe and John Nkomo; and
• Presidents/Chairmen of all other political parties:

Movement of Democratic Change (MDC) Presidents Tsvangirai and Mutambara, PF ZAPU, ZAPU 2000, Zanu Ndonga, UPM, UPP, PUMA, DP, Zimbabwe Peoples Democratic Party, Zimbabwe Youth in Alliance; and

• Leaders of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and Civic Movements.

Your Excellency, Honorable Members of Parliament, Senators, Chiefs, Mayors, Councilors, Comrades and Friends,As we write this open letter, Zimbabweans are living in a state of fear and uncertainty. They suffer discrimination in all its forms and are unable to earn a living. Levels of poverty are high; unemployment is at 82% and inflation at four figures. Non-existent service delivery also makes life difficult. Access to education, housing and other basic needs is now only for the rich. The HIV/AIDS pandemic, which has created thousands of orphans and child-headed households, is a social catastrophe compounded by a failed healthcare system and little or no access to ARVs. Further loss of valuable human resources is happening due to people leaving the country in large numbers. People have been unsuccessful at holding their government accountable due to a raft of repressive laws and shrinking freedom of expression/media space. Corruption at all levels of government and the politicisation of all aspects of society has led to chaos and disorganization in every sector.

Women and men of WOZA have initiated a non-violent campaign with the aim of mobilising Zimbabweans to demand social justice from their leaders. The time has come to put the past behind us and start building a better tomorrow. We plan to hold existing leaders accountable and mobilise people to demand leaders who will deliver all aspects of social justice and a genuinely people-driven constitution.

This resolution was made after an eleven-month, nationwide consultation process. During 2006, over 284 meetings, consulting almost 10,000 rural and urban people on social justice were conducted. The people spoke clearly about what they want in a new Zimbabwe and their contributions are contained in the People’s Charter attached below.

Please open up your heart and read it sincerely knowing that it contains the dreams and desires of a heartbroken nation. We are looking to ALL leaders to provide a public reply and endorsement of the People’s Charter and would be happy to have this by Valentine’s Day on 14th February 2007.

WOZA looks forward to working hand in hand with any political or civic leaders who have publicly endorsed the People’s Charter to deliver social justice and honour the wishes of the Zimbabwean people.

UKUKHULUMA NGENKULUMO
IMBONO YEWOZA/MOZA
INDLELA EZILITSHUMI EZINGALETHA IZIMBABWE ENTSHA

IWOZA ilokhu ibala njalo isizwa ngenkulumo okumele zibe khona ifuna ukutsho imbono yayo.

Okokuqala sifuna ukwazi inhloso kamongameli Thabo Mbeki lo mongameli Kikwete labafowethu beSADC ngenkulumo lezo. Bengabe bejonge ukuletha uhulumende omutsha kungela nguquko kwezombangazwe, kwezomnotho, lenhlalakahle kazulu? Kumbe inhloso yabo ngeqotho? Ukuze kucace ukuthi bangomlamulankunzi abaqotho kumele babone ukuthi uhulumende okhona uzasekela njalo avumele ukuphendlwa kwendlela yenguquko engangeneli njalo atshiye umbuso ukuze kube lenguquko eqotho. Sizaqhubeka sibakhuthaza ukuze benze lokhu njalo sizaphendla indlela ezenza izizalwane zeZimbabwe zikholise ukulingana lokuzotha eZimbabwe.

Umlandu kazulu weZimbabwe ngowani, ngoba yithi esithwele ubunzima njalo sithola kunzima ukuthi siphile?
Umlandu wethu ungavezwa ngalindlela. Siyazi ukuthi iziko lingaphi njalo ukuthi kulembiza ebilayo. Asibuzwanga ukuthi kuzaphekwani njalo ngubani ozakudla sekuphakululiwe. Silokhu simelele ukubizelwa etafuleni yokudlela silokhu sitheza inkuni sizaziletha eziko ukuze abapheki bazibone bakhwezele ngazo. Nxa umlilo usucitsha inkuni zethu zizasetshenziswa ukukhwezela lokubasela ukuze imbiza ibelokhu ixhwatha. Nxa sekuphekiwe sizafuna indawo etafuleni ukuze lathi sidle okuphekwe zinkuni zethu. Kungaphekwa imboza sizakwala ukudla njalo sicele indlela yokupheka engcono. Sithanda ukulikhumbuza ukuthi omama bayingcitshi ekuphekeni.

Singaqhubekela phambili sisithi omlamulankunzi labezombangazwe kumele bapheke ngendlela ezilandelayo ukuze ukudla kwabo kubemnandi njalo kukholiswe ngamaZimbabwe onke:

1. Udlakela lwendlela zonke kumele luphele, ukuze kube lendlela eziletha inguquko, ezizaqala indlela yokuxolisa.
2. Kumele kube lomhlangano omkhulu ozakwenziwa kunxuswe abalandelayo, wonke amabandla ezombangazwe zonke inhlanganiso ezizimele zodwa, abezenkolo, izisebenzi osomabhizimusi, ulutsha labomama, bonke behlangana ngokulingana. Injongo yabo ingeyokuthi kubelenguquko ezaletha uhulumende owesikhathi esithize njalo babeke lendlela yokubhala isisekelo selizwe esitsha. Uhulumende owesikhathi esithize kumele enze okulandelayo:
3. Athathe amandla ombuso esule imthetho encindezela ilungelo lokukhuluma santando lelokubuthana enjengePOSA leAIPPA. Sifuna kuphele ukusetshenziswa komthetho kukhethwa.
4. Kumele bahluzisise izisebenzi zikahulumende, abagcina umthetho, labezomthethwandaba ukuthi indlela abasebenza ngayo kabasekeli uhlangothi. Abephuli bomthetho kumele bafundiswe kutsha imisebenzi yabo, bayehlanza izigaba kumbe bajeziswe. Uhlangothi olukhangele ngezokugcinwa komthetho (Law and Order) lwamapholisa labatsha abafundiswa udlakela kufanele bachithizwe njalo bafundiswe ukubalobuntu. Ibutho lihlale ezinkambeni lifundiswa umsebenzi walo.
5. Kumele sivusele ubudlelwano lamanye amazwe sijonge ukuthuthukisa umnotho wethu lokudala imisebenzi.
6. Kumele kubelezindlela zokuhluza ngokwabiwa komhlabathi okulinganayo njalo ubengumniniyo sikhuthaza indlela zokuthola ukudla.
7. Kumele siqale izindlela zokubhala isisekelo selizwe esibalulekileyo lendlela ezigoqela uhlelo lwenguquko elungileyo kudingwe imbono yamaZimbabwe wonke alapha lasemazweni.
8. Impumela yembono yesisekelo selizwe lezinqumo zikahulumende owesikhathi esithize kubelokhetho oluzaqhutshwa yiSADC.
9. Silungisele ukhetho, ukuguqula uhlangothi olubona ngokhetho silungise imithetho yokhetho emitsha sikhethe abaqhubi bokhetho abazimele bodwa, sikhethe iqula elibona ngemngcele lilungise amabhuku okuvotisa njalo balungiselele ukhetho, siyabe sesivalelisa uTobaiwa Mudede lendlela zakhe sobuqili.
10. Kuqiniseke ukuthi ukhetho luzaqhutshwa ngaphansi kwezinqumo zeSADC njalo lenhlanganiso zomhlaba wonke jikelele lezeAfrica kulabameli bomhlaba wonke leZimbabwe. Uhulumende owesikhathi esithize uzanikeza umbuso kubanqobi bokhetho.

“Kangingakhulekeli ukuthi ngivikelwe ezingozini kodwa ngikhulekela ukuthi ngibelesibindi sokumelana lengozi. Kangingaceli ukuthi ngingezwa ubuhlungu kodwa ngicela inhliziyo yokuthi nginqobe ubuhlungu.” Rabindranath Tagore (Imbongi yeIndia)
Izinqumo Ngokuthula
* Asisoze silimaze muntu njalo asisoze siphindisele udlakela
* Sizaba lokuthembeka siphathe wonke umuntu ngenhlonipho ikakhulukazi abezomthetho
* Sizaveza imizwa yethu kodwa asisoze sigcine inzondo
* Sizabalokunakekela abantu abaduze lathi sinika uncedo oludingakalayo.
* Njengabagcini bokuthula sizavikela abanye ekuthukweni ledlakeleni.
* Ngesikhathi sokutshengisela asisoze sigijime kumbe senze izenzo ezethusa abanye
* Singabona umtshengiseli esethusela abanye sizangenela sehlise umumo. Nxa abatshengiseli bangaba lodlakela, njalo sehluleke ukubakhuza sizahlukana labo.
* Asisoze sebe kumbe sibhidlize impahla
* Asisoze sithwale ingqe yisiphi isikhali
* Asisoze sithwale kumbe sinathe utshwala kumbe imithi edakayo ngaphandle kweyokwelapha.
* Sizagcina isivumelwano esisenze labanye abatshengiseli nxa kungaba lokungavumelani sizanyomuka ngokuthula.
* Sizavuma umlandu wokungabi lodlakela asisoze siqambe amanga ukuze sibalekele impumela edalwe yizenzo zethu.

Uma uvumelana lesinqumo sokusebeza ngokuthula njalo ufuna ukubalilunga leWOZA thumela incwadi zakho kukheli elithi P. O. Box FM 701, Famona, Bulawayo. Utsho ukuthi ungubani njalo kungani ufuna ukuba iliunga leWOZA. Ungabhala ngolimi oluzwisisayo, uthumele ku vulophu elekheli yakho lesitampa, ukuze sanelise ukukuphathi sela isibopho sabomama. Ungaze ubhalele usithumele sizakuthumezela igwaliba lakho elokuba lilunga encwadini yakho eyesibili layo kumele ibelekheli lakho lesitampa.

Get used to a free Zimbabwe where we can speak out without fear, tune in to…
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TEN members of Women and Men of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) appeared in Magistrates Court one at 9:30am before Magistrate Vivian Ndlovu. Those appearing include national coordinator Jenni Williams.

The Defence were represented by Mr Jamela of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights and Nikiwe Ncube.

The matter was in court for Trial but no state papers had been served on the defence team so they could prepare for Trial. Mr Jamela summarised the activist complaints against the police and put the state on notice that at the next appearance on 21 February 2012, they will submit a written application for refusal of further remand. Jeremiah Mutsindikwa appeared for the state.

The charges come under the Criminal law (codification and reform) Act [chapter 9:23] Act 23/2004 Section 46 Criminal nuisance’ Acts constituting criminal nuisance – 2. Any person who – (v) employs any means whatsoever which are likely materially to interfere with the ordinary comfort, convenience, peace or quiet of the public or any section of the public, or does any act which is likely to create a nuisance or obstruction; shall be guilty of criminal nuisance.

These charges seem to contradict the Supreme Court Ruling obtained in 2012 by Williams and Mahlangu. The essence of the ruling is covered in the main points available at this link on the WOZA website. http://wozazim.org/?p=1181

Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) leaders Williams and Mahlangu facing kidnap and theft charges appeared in Regional court today represented by Mr. Kossam Ncube. They were remanded to 12 March 2012. The matter was for continuation of Trial but the activists have submitted two processes before the High Court that await hearing. The High Court is yet to assign a Judge and set down the matters. The first being a review of the Magistrate Sengweni decision to refuse the discharge the two from the charges and the second requesting a stay of proceedings pending a decision on the review process.

When the activists last appeared the prosecutor and magistrate had indicated that the High Court process must be allowed as it would impact the Trail. Before the court proceedings began, the prosecutor, Godwin Katenaire went back on his word and told Mr. Kossam Ncube that the Trial would proceed. Noting this, Mr. Ncube insisted that they attend the Magistrates chambers where a 30 minute argument ensured. In the end sense prevailed and the Magistrates granted a postponement to 12 March.

Williams and 9 other members arrested on 7 February 2012 at the offices of Joint Monitoring and Implementation Committee (Jomic) appeared before Magistrate Vivian Ndlovu on 1st March and were remanded to 5th March. The matter was for ruling on the application for refusal of further remand on charges of Criminal Nuisance. When the activists appeared on 21st September Lawyer Lizwe Jamela had applied for charges to be quashed and the prosecutor Jerry Mutsindikwa had not opposed the application. Mutsindikwa then backtracked to oppose the application and argued that the 10 accused had a case to answer and that the Trial should proceed. The Magistrate will give her ruling on 5th March.

Meanwhile WOZA members from 3 different areas have marched to hand over their petitions to the Main Post Office in central Bulawayo. In all 3 instances Riot police arrived at the post officer too late to affect any arrests. The petitions are calling for media reform and a reduction of Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) license fees.

However WOZA leader Magodonga Mahlangu could not get into her home on the evening of the protests as 5 strange men seemingly police officers were parked at her gate for over 3 hours. At one time they attempted to break her gate chain and padlock before leaving. As Jennifer Williams appeared in court, 3 plain clothed officers lurked with intent to arrest her for the ZBC protests; they were eventually discouraged from this folly by the argument in the court proceedings that Zimbabweans have the full right to protest respected in the Constitution.

Letter from a Birmingham Jail 2011 by Martin Luther King

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.

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

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.

WOZA Participation Table June to December 2011