ZIMBABWE ELECTRICITY SUPPLY AUTHORITY (ZESA)
I am a power consumer and have been your customer for many years but your service has been getting worse in the last three years. I have run out of patience; your service is no longer empowering anyone but is draining many pockets. I want POWER and deserve to be given all the basic requirements a human being needs. I know ZESA is also a victim of a bad and mismanaged economy but think that ZESA should do more to deal with internal corruption.

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!

My last account from ZESA was for $ ……………………..…. for 30 days of service.

I did not have any electricity for the following period of time ……………hours ………. days ………….. in the last month and want my account to be credited for this amount of time.

As your customer I have come to complain and request compensation. My demand is simple.
1. Stop turning a blind eye to corruption in your company and deal with the criminals within.
2. Credit my account for the hours or days you did not provide me with POWER.
3. Find us alternative sources of power – cheaper firewood, candles and matches, as we cannot afford to pay $10,000 for one candle and $1,000 for a box of matches. You are refusing to give us regular and efficient POWER so you should pay for us to have candlelight.
4. WE DEMAND POWER TO THE PEOPLE by March 2008.

Yours faithfully,

Impatient for POWER

ON THE DRAFT RESOLUTION ON PROTECTING WOMEN HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS
We write to you as a group of African human rights defenders from across the continent working at national, regional and international levels. We are following negotiations on the draft resolution on the protection of women human rights defenders currently being advanced in the UN General Assembly’s Third Committee, with great interest. This is the first time a draft resolution has been put forward focusing exclusively on the protection of women human rights defenders. It is a hugely significant and important initiative for African societies.
Women who engage in the defence of all human rights and all those who defend the rights of women and work on issues related to gender equality make a vital contribution to democratic processes, securing and maintaining peace, and ensuring security, development and respect for human rights in our communities. However, in doing this work, women human rights defenders can face a range of violations and abuses – including gender-based violence – at the hands of State and non-State actors. States need to pay attention to the risks faced by women human rights defenders, acknowledge the value of their role, and commit to ensuring their protection. This is the time for all States to show leadership by supporting a resolution that seeks to do this globally.
We are extremely concerned to hear that the African Group has developed a group position objecting to several core elements of the draft resolution. Fifteen years ago, all States agreed to the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, including State obligations to protect all human rights defenders working on all human rights. This commitment has been reiterated and built upon in subsequent General Assembly and Human Rights Council resolutions.
In addition, African human rights instruments include important references that relate to the protection of women defenders. The African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights Article 18:3 speaks of States’ obligations to ensure the elimination of discrimination against women and also ensure the protection of women’s rights as stipulated in international declarations and conventions. Ten years ago, the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa – the Maputo Protocol – was adopted. Acknowledged as a key text on the protection of women’s rights, the Protocol speaks of States parties commitment to increasing women’s participation ‘in structures and process for conflict, prevention, management and resolution’ and at all levels of decision-making. African States should be working to implement such commitments, and to ensuring it is reiterated and strengthened at international levels.
African UN Member States are putting forward important resolutions related to women’s rights, such as on ending female genital mutilations, addressing the situation of obstetric fistula and improving the situation of the girl child. At the Commission on the Status of Women in 2013, African States played a key role in securing agreed conclusions on ending violence against women, which also recognized the need to “support and protect those who are committed to eliminating violence against women, including women human rights defenders in this regard, who face particular risks of violence”. The GA resolution on women human rights defenders would complement and reinforce these important efforts by African Member States, as it would support and give recognition to the efforts by women human rights defenders in African countries seeking to implement these initiatives at national and local levels.
We call on every African State to live up to their human rights commitments by supporting this UN resolution, and by taking concrete steps to protect women defenders in their work. We call upon African States at the General Assembly to stand alongside all women human rights defenders in their work for the respect of human rights across the continent.

Draft res – protecting women human rights defenders

The 98 members arrested during a protest at Parliament in Harare yesterday have been released without charged after being held for seven hours.

At noon yesterday, a deputation drawn from the membership began a protest to press for an end to violence and for a response from the Zimbabwe Republic Police. Members also wanted to express their commitment to a repealing of Public Order Security Act (POSA) and the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA).

As the procession was to arrive at Parliament, the Riot Squad based at Africa Unity Square intercepted and began to beat the peaceful activists. They did not directly order the activists to disperse but beat anyone trying to sit down. The procession then turned around the way they had come and the determined activists began to chant the slogan – “strike a woman and you strike a rock” and sing, “the road is full of thorns and the time has come to pray.” It seems this was too much for the police officers who had kept up their insults and beating with baton sticks (although they used minimum force). When the procession crossed Sam Nujoma Street, the order to sit down was issued by police and WOZA members complied.

While the group sat down, members who had not been arrested handed themselves in. A member of MOZA did this in style. With his placard saying ‘VOTE no to POSA’ held high and singing away, he did a solo march across the street into the arrested group.

After 30 minutes, a vehicle came and 17 members were taken to Harare Central Police station. An hour and a half passed with no progress before the Riot Squad guarding the arrested ordered three lines and walked the 81 members to Central creating quite a spectacle and much amusement from bystanders. It seems there was no fuel for the vehicles.

After uniformed polices officers and Law and Order officers took down everyone’s details, it became apparent no department wanted responsibility for processing WOZA. Eventually Law and Order officers with the Chief Superintendent Madzingo, the overall boss of Law and Order, in attendance asked for all the issues WOZA are unhappy about and after a 30 minute spelling out issues from police harassment, to skyrocketing school fees, to electricity blackouts and complaints about POSA, the Chief Superintendent said he was tired and asked WOZA lawyer Muchadehama to assist WOZA to notify for future protests.

All 98 members were released at 7:30 pm having been arrested just after noon. This is the third protest in a row that WOZA have been arrested but released without being detained. On 15 October, Chief Inspector Tenderere, Officer Commanding at Harare Central lectured the activists and released them after nine hours in custody. These protests have seen WOZA directly confront police about their brutality.

Meanwhile, a WOZA member, Maria Moyo, has died. She had been arrested approximately eight times and was one of the seven members abducted from their homes by Law and Order officers in Bulawayo on 24th August. She was taken from her sick bed at 4:30 am and threatened with being tied up with ropes and thrown into Khami Dam if she did not divulge the whereabouts of WOZA leaders. She was badly shaken by this experience and took a turn for the worse. Despite receiving medical treatment, she never recovered. WOZA leaders pass on their condolences to the family of Maria and to all her comrades. We ask for intensification in amplifying the voice of ordinary Zimbabweans demanding social justice so that Maria’s life is not sacrificed in vain.

AFRICA DAY 25 MAY 2008

umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu

YOU STILL NEED TO STAND STRONG FOR YOUR CHILD

As our whole continent marks Africa Day this week, WOZA members think that it has become meaningless. 25 May is supposed to be a celebration of the African spirit and unity. Yet what is there to celebrate when poverty is increasing and our life expectancy is decreasing? What is there to celebrate when Zimbabweans no longer have faith that their right to vote is respected? We do not see evidence that African leaders still value the principles of ubuntu/hunhu and count themselves as part of the African people. Do people like Robert Mugabe and Thabo Mbeki remember the saying ‘umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu / a person is a person because of people’.

ROBERT MUGABE is a PERSON – the person behind the fist.
This is our Africa Day message to him: Robert Mugabe, you have become known to us for the violence you have unleashed against us – the people of Zimbabwe. Although we respect the role you played to bring about Zimbabwe, the violence you direct with your trademark fist is not a good legacy. 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 supporting Ndabaningi Sithole. In 2000, violent land invasions were unleashed to punish Zimbabweans because they refused your constitutional amendments. We are no longer the breadbasket of Africa as a result. In 2005, Operation Murambatsvina was designed to quell rising dissent and support for the Movement for Democratic Change after the 31 March 2005 election. Recently we saw Operation MaVhoterapapi (where have you voted) conducted to punish people who exercised their right to vote. We ask you to remember the biblical verse that for everything there is a season and respect the fact that Zimbabweans voted for change in March.=>

THABO MBEKI is also a PERSON.
This is our Africa Day message to him: When you held the hand of Robert Mugabe and said “what crisis”, people in Zimbabwe and in your own country were shocked at your lack of sensitivity. A lack of sensitivity that again showed itself by your delay in commenting at the loss of innocent lives in the xenophobic attacks in South Africa. As we bury our dead, killed in Zimbabwe by state agents, and those killed in South Africa, there is no denying that their blood is on your hands. We ask you to restore our belief in your African Renaissance and practice what you preach. You still have time to leave a positive legacy.

The day of the presidential run-off, 27 June, is just four weeks away but there is no change in the political impasse and violence is widespread throughout Zimbabwe. Recognising WOZA’s role as human rights defenders, we will work tirelessly to persuade Zimbabweans that they must prepare to turn out in high numbers to vote in the run-off. We will ask them to face the fact that Mugabe as the leader of a so-called ‘liberation war party’ has failed to deliver social justice. By refusing to release results timeously and unleashing violence on voters, Mugabe has betrayed the one man one vote ideal our heroes died for. We advise Zimbabweans that their vote must be a vote for Morgan Tsvangirai, giving him a chance as a transitional president.

WE, THE PEOPLE OF ZIMBABWE, THEREFORE DEMAND THE FOLLOWING:
1. That ZANU PF close all militia camps and end the violence against the people of Zimbabwe immediately.

2. That the Zimbabwe Republic Police arrest and prosecute the perpetrators of violence without fear or favour.

3. That political leaders at all levels remember that blood was spilt to deliver the ‘one man one vote’ ideal for Zimbabweans. We will continue to vote and defend our vote in a determined and peaceful way.

4. That the ‘real’ war veterans help us stop the violence and speak out against those perpetrating the violence in their name.

5. 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 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.

6. That the Zimbabwean government make the necessary arrangements to comply with the SADC principles governing elections and to allow ZEC to do their job without interference.

7. We call on ZEC to be professional and non-partisan and to ensure that the results are released within 24 hours of the ballots closing.

8. We call on SADC, the African Union and the United Nations to assist us by sending observers to all areas of Zimbabwe to help us feel confident of exercising our right to vote. When they attend they should show leadership by publicly acknowledging the human rights violations being perpetrated.

9. We ask the South African government to make transparent the prosecution of those arrested for xenophobic attacks so that we can feel confident that there is still justice in the law in South Africa.

We would also like to thank civic society organisations both in the region and abroad for their continued solidarity with the people of Zimbabwe – shown in demonstrations in Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa and Botswana in the last week. We would like to invite them to come to Zimbabwe to observe the run-off and ask that they keep us in their thoughts and prayers as we face the darkest hour before dawn.

Lastly WOZA would like to implore ALL Zimbabweans to remain calm but committed to making their vote count in these next few weeks.

Stand up for your child’s future by voting on 27 June 2008 for a new president who must deliver social justice.

IT IS TIME FOR CHANGE!

Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) launched a report detailing the trauma experiences of their members today. The event was conducted in Johannesburg, South Africa with attendance by press, diplomats, civic society leaders and members of WOZA. The report is entitled “Counting the Cost of Courage: Trauma Experiences of Women Human Rights Defenders in Zimbabwe”.

In 2007 research was carried out to determine the nature and extent of violations perpetrated on WOZA members by state actors.  It used a questionnaire administered verbally to more than 2,000 WOZA members.  The major results were detailed in a report released in March 2008 entitled ‘The Effects of Fighting Repression with Love’.  They showed a high level of arrests, assaults, torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment, primarily by members of various sections of the Zimbabwe Republic Police.

One section of the questionnaire sought to document traumatic experiences of WOZA women in order to understand the basis of possible psychological and emotional disorders arising from their civic activism – ‘counting the cost of their courage’. The report launched today outlines these findings.
The research explored two broad categories of trauma:

The research

• “displacement” experiences – a concept first developed first in relation to the psychological and emotional plight of refugees fleeing war zones.  It details events such as loss of home, failing to access food and medical care, being lost, being caught up in fighting and similar experiences.
• The second source of trauma is “organized violence and torture” (OVT), including events of torture per se as well as assaults, cruel inhuman and degrading treatment, and verbal threats, insults and taunts.

The data relating to trauma was based on the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire [HTQ]. It was altered slightly from previous uses in Zimbabwe in order to include an historical element, so that there might be a long-range understanding of the women’s experience of trauma throughout their adult lives. Interviewees were asked to indicate trauma events in two forms: those they have experienced themselves, and those they witnessed being experienced by others. They were asked to record these events for three periods: pre-Independence, 1980-1999, and for each year since 1999.

Conclusions
The findings of the report indicate that Zimbabwe is a “complex emergency”:  significant violence, severe economic decline, and the destruction of social capital, which means resembles a war. As is the case in most complex emergencies, women and their families are generally the most common victims, and Zimbabwe is no exception.  Many women of all ages have been brutalized, raped, tortured, and even killed for their political activities and of those of their male family members.  As children are normally in the presence of their mothers, they been equally victimised.  Most often such victims demonstrate psychological effects of their experience and witnessing of traumatic events.

Additional findings indicate that:

• Zimbabweans have a history of mass trauma dating back to colonial experiences. The members of WOZA have experienced trauma over all the past three decades, as well as before Independence in 1980.
• The frequency of trauma of all kinds has been steadily increasing. An average of 2.9 events per respondent for the pre-Independence period doubled to 5.8 in the two post-Independence decades, and then tripled to 16.7 in the period 2000 to 2007.
• There are generally more displacement experiences than OVT however – indicative of the worsening socio-economic situation.
• It was found that 1,051 [53%] women in the sample had scores indicative of psychological disorder.
• Trauma research suggests that repeated exposure to trauma has a cumulative effect, making the victim more likely to suffer from a psychological disorder. Zimbabwean women, with their history of repeated trauma through recent history are then candidates for clinical psychological symptoms resulting from repeated trauma of various types.
• WOZA women have received very little counselling to help them deal with their trauma.  Some group healing sessions with professional counsellors were organized, but remarkably, the women seemed more concerned to discuss their ‘displacement’ issues than their experiences of OVT, which they said they expected in any case and they had recovered from.  Of course, this does not mean that they do not have any trauma-related disorders, but they themselves do not perceive them, and their observed behaviour does not indicate them either. It is possible that the psychological effects of their trauma may well be lessened due to their understanding of the reason for their suffering and their preparedness to make a sacrifice for the future of their families and their nation.

WOZA Recommendations
What is clear is that the Zanu PF government seems to be oblivious to the destructive impact of widespread use of violence as a political tool of control and repression.  Although it has appeared to have achieved its immediate goal of stifling dissent for some years, it has surely had seriously adverse long-term effects on both the victims and the perpetrators.

It is also clear that any government has a responsibility to care for the welfare of its people. At what point will a Zimbabwean government confront the legacy of trauma and look to begin a healing process? This must be an important consideration in determining what form of authority emerges from the current SADC mediation process.

In order to deal with the problem of the prevalence of OVT as a common feature of our society, we recommend the following:

• Stop the political violence; disband militia camps in all areas of the country. Any political violence must be reported, investigated and prosecuted through the courts without any form of favour or political influence.

• Intensive research should be undertaken into the effects of OVT on Zimbabweans, both as victims and as perpetrators.
• A centre be established within Zimbabwe to carry out research, training and treatment related to victims and perpetrators of violence.
• A needs assessment be conducted regarding what treatment is needed to heal both victims and perpetrators.
• Research should be conducted and disseminated on the most effective ways for non-violent protestors to prepare themselves to lessen the traumatic effects of torture and other forms of violence.
• All government law enforcement agents be trained specifically on their international responsibilities regarding OVT and be required to make specific commitments not to follow orders which require them to contravene this commitment; an international rescue programme could be established to assist any who lose employment as a result of adhering to this commitment.
• All members of the government, defence forces and party institutions who are identified as perpetrators be required to appear before a forum where they admit their crimes; the more senior officers identified as giving orders should be prosecuted.
• Joint sessions of victims and perpetrators should be held to aid the healing process on both sides.
• Government should immediately lift the current ban on organisations providing humanitarian assistance and also allow a United Nations team to address the humanitarian crisis and widespread hunger without political interference.
• A transitional authority should form a body to consult and develop a transitional justice plan of action designed to bring healing and reconciliation and then deal with justice and restitution for victims in the new Zimbabwe.

The type of evil that has become an integral part of government behaviour in Zimbabwe must be eradicated and the mindset of power hunger and disrespect for other human beings overcome. It can only happen through the actions of a government with a strong will to correct wrongs and ensure that the rights of all Zimbabweans be respected. We therefore believe that the most appropriate government to replace the current illegitimate incumbent would be a non-political transitional authority whose members have as a priority transitional process of healing, transforming and rebuilding. Such an authority will have the capacity and neutrality necessary to dismantle the structures of violence and oppression.

Nonetheless, whatever format the new political dispensation in Zimbabwe takes, it will need to embark on an official programme of acknowledgement of injustices. Economic recovery and democratic reform, whilst imperative, can only go so far in restoring the dignity of people. We believe that for dignity to be fully restored a new administration needs to assist individual survivors to rebuild their broken lives whilst ensuring that ‘liveable peace’ is achieved. It is the only way Zimbabweans can bury the ghosts of their past and move forward into a more secure future.

As well as outlining the findings on the research done on WOZA members, the launch also outlined some statistics of post-election violence since the 29 March harmonised elections, giving a brief overview of the horror that many Zimbabweans have been faced with in the last few months. These statistics added further poignancy to the call for a lasting peaceful solution in Zimbabwe and the urgent need for a national programme of healing.

To read a full copy of the report, click here Counting the Cost of Courage: Trauma Experiences of Women Human Rights Defenders in Zimbabwe

To read statistics and case histories of post-election violence since March 2008, click here post-election-violence-in-zimbabwe-2008.doc

Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) has been awarded the 5th Human Rights Award by Amnesty International German Section. The award was presented at an award ceremony at the ‘Berliner Ensemble’, a well-known theatre in the centre of Berlin on Sunday 16th November. WOZA leaders, Jenni Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu, received the award on behalf of the organisation.

Williams and Mahlangu, who were released on bail from Mlondolozi Prison on Thursday 6 November, won an application from Bulawayo Magistrate’s Court to be allowed to travel to Germany to receive the award.

The pair had been released on bail with strict reporting conditions. They had to report to their nearest police station twice a week and were not permitted to travel outside of a 40 kilometre radius of Bulawayo Post Office without the written permission of a magistrate.

Williams and Mahlangu appeared in Bulawayo Magistrate’s Court on Monday 11th November for a routine remand hearing where they requested permission to travel to Germany. Magistrate Maphosa requested however that the application be made in open court on Tuesday 12th. After several delays, the state decided not to oppose the travel application and reporting conditions were temporarily suspended until November 26th to allow the activists to travel to Germany. Upon their return they will resume reporting and remain within a 40 kilometre radius of Bulawayo until their trial which is scheduled for 2nd December 2008.

The German section of Amnesty International assigns the Human Rights Award every two years to people that defend and fight for human rights, especially under harsh circumstances.The award statue was designed by the internationally known sculptor Tony Cragg.

In the past, the prize was given to Turkish advocate Eren Keskin (2001), a human rights defender from Russia, Swetlana Gannuschkina (2003) and Monira Rahman from Bangladesh (2006).

For several weeks, WOZA members have expressed their deep concern about the failure of government schools to open. This follows on from distress about the quality of education that their children received in 2008. In the first 20 years of Independence, Zimbabwe’s education system and schools were the envy of Africa. In 2009, we do not have an education system to speak of.

WOZA research
In August 2008 WOZA undertook a survey of our membership. We interviewed a sample of more than 1,000 members in Bulawayo, Harare and Chitungwiza. We asked them about how they are living and about their children’s education. In February 2009, WOZA conducted further research on a sample of 377 members to determine the current status of their children’s education and our members’ ability to access food.

Please click here to read a report, from WOZA’s perspective, of the state of education in Zimbabwe. The state of education in Zimbabwe- a WOZA perspective

WOZA is sending a petition on the state of education to the new minister of education, Senator David Coltart. WOZA members are going door-to-door asking parents to sign. Please sign your support. Email WOZA to receive the petition at wozazimbabwe@yahoo.com and post the completed form to P.O. Box FM 701 Famona, Bulawayo.

Comments from parents on the state of education (February 2009):

“Children need good education but the problem is that our leaders do not show concern about it. They need to take steps about education.”

“I did not go to school but I need my children to go to school.”

“I am heartbroken because in years back we used to go to school even if we failed but our children are failing to go to school. This will destroy our children’s future.”

“It is painful to have an uneducated child.”

“I want my grandchildren to learn so that they finish the poor life I am living.”

“There are no resources in schools whilst they are charging what they want without consulting parents and at the end of the day demanding us to pay teachers salaries.”

EIGHT WOZA members and two lawyers appeared in Harare Magistrate’s Court today, 28th April. Although due to appear on trial, the State did not have its house in order for the trial to proceed so the magistrate removed the activists off remand. The State will have to proceed by way of summons if they still wish to do so. The group of 10 were 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.

In another matter, five members arrested on 25 February outside the Ministry of Education, the Education ‘Five’, appeared in Harare Magistrate’s Court on 19th March and were remanded out of custody to Monday 4th May. Their lawyer, Alec Muchadehama, will apply for them to be removed off remand if the State is not ready to proceed to trial on this date. They face the same charges of disturbing the peace, security or order of the public.

In the third WOZA matter before the courts, Jenni Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu will appear before Magistrate Charity Msipa in the Bulawayo Magistrate’s Court on Thursday 30th April.

The matter was last heard on 18th March when defence lawyer, Kossam Ncube, indicated that he would be taking a direct application to the Supreme Court. The magistrate had thrown out an earlier request to apply to the Supreme Court saying the application was frivolous and vexatious and that the trial should proceed immediately. (For a copy of the full ruling, see the Legal Documents folder to the right) Under a separate clause of the Constitution, Section 24 (1), applicants can apply directly to the Supreme Court if they feel that they are still aggrieved. This was subsequently done. (The text of the two applications can also be found in the Legal Documents folder to the right)

The Supreme Court has yet to allocate the urgent application to a judge as they are all said to be on leave.

It is difficult to predict what will occur Thursday as Magistrate Msipa has previously ignored appeals to higher courts and had disallowed the first Supreme Court application. Williams and Mahlangu face a possible five years in custody if convicted.

The four members arrested in Harare on 18th June appeared in Harare Magistrate’s Court again this morning. Magistrate Majonga had postponed the matter from Friday 3rd July in order for the state to explain why the four defendants had been assaulted in police custody and why they had been denied medical treatment. On arrival at court, the prosecutor, Public Mpofu, withdrew the charges of disturbing the peace, as the state could find no witnesses that had had their peace disturbed. By so doing, the state had hoped to avoid the matter of the assaults in custody.

Nonetheless, defence lawyer, Beatrice Mtetwa insisted that the matter of the assaults be brought before the Magistrate, as had been her order on 3rd July. Whilst the magistrate indicated that it was highly unusual for her to be dealing with a matter when charges had been withdrawn, the defence reminded her that they were two different matters and that the four women were complainants in a case against the police for assault. The police were still not prepared to answer why the assaults had occurred or if the officers responsible were being investigated. Furthermore, the Officer in Charge of the Law and Order Unit at Harare Central claimed that he had not received a report of the assaults from the four women while they were under arrest.

Ms Mtetwa contested this claim by reminding him that she had personally shown him the women’s injuries and had requested medical treatment for the four women. When the two medical personnel that she had arranged to attend to the women arrived, he would not allow them to treat the women, despite their obvious injuries and severe pain, and ordered a female police officer to process the women to be taken to Parirenyatwa Hospital instead. It was after the four forms had been completed that the Officer Commanding refused to allow the women to be taken to hospital as punishment for ’embarrassing the state during Irene Khan’s (the Secretary-General of Amnesty International) visit.’ Ms Mtetwa offered to produce the two medical personnel and the four defendants as witnesses to corroborate this version of events.

The matter has been postponed until Tuesday 7th July for the magistrate to rule on whether the police need to answer on why the women were assaulted and why they were denied medical treatment.

In a separate matter, the state has indicated that it is ready to proceed with the trial against Jenni Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu tomorrow, 7th July, on charges of disturbing the peace despite the fact that the Supreme Court has yet to give its written judgement on the matter. When the two last appeared in Bulawayo Magistrate’s Court on 30th April, the state agreed to a long remand in order to give time for the Supreme Court to rule and indicated that if a decision had not been received by this time, Williams and Mahlangu would be removed off remand pending the decision. Nonetheless, prosecutor Chifamba told defence lawyer, Kossam Ncube today that he had been directed to proceed with the trial when the two appear on remand tomorrow.

The full panel of Supreme Court judges had met to consider the case on 4th June and had given a verbal ruling before they reserved judgement that the two women had been unlawfully arrested and that they should be looking to indict the arresting officers. The state had conceded in their response that the arrest on 16th October 2008 had indeed been unlawful. Judge Chidyausiku undertook to provide the written ruling before 7th July. Despite the fact that defence advocate Mpofu has formally written to the Supreme Court requesting the ruling, the written ruling has not yet been received.

Whilst 36 WOZA members remain in custody in Gweru after launching the People’s Charter in the Midlands town yesterday, WOZA members again took to the streets today – this time in Masvingo. The message was the same – the people of Zimbabwe demanding social justice through the People’s Charter.

In the face of heavy police presence, many of the women intending to march scattered, but a brave group of about 30 managed to march several blocks through the centre of the city to the Civic Centre, where all of them were arrested. There were no reports of beatings as yet and lawyers are in attendance.

In Gweru, the total number arrested yesterday was 36, including three women who were arrested when they brought food to those detained. All were expected in court this morning, but we are still waiting for a report on what the charges were and what the outcome was. It is believed they will be charged with participating in an illegal gathering.

More details will be given when they become available.