It has been confirmed that the two WOZA activists arrested yesterday at a meeting in Mutare will be kept at Sakubva Police Station over the weekend.

Having been denied food all day by the Officer-in-Charge, Rigomega, the women were finally allowed food this evening. Conditions are apparently appalling with the women complaining of lice and mosquitoes in cold, damp cells.

It is hoped that the two women will be taken to court on Monday.

During the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence and whilst President Mugabe pretends to the world that all is well in Zimbabwe in Lisbon, WOZA salutes the courage of the two women activists who refused to bow to the pressure and threats of police officers and who are determined to defend their right to the freedoms of assembly and expression, whatever the cost.

Please continue to call Sakubva Police Station on +263 20 64212, 64717 or 63145 or the officer-in-charge directly on +263 20 60902 to protest the arrest and continued detention of the two women.

In a surprising development, the two WOZA members, Trust Moyo and Cynthia Ncube, who were arrested on Monday after a peaceful demonstration calling for an end to politically motivated violence, were taken to trial this afternoon at Bulawayo Magistrate’s Court.

The two had presented themselves to Bulawayo Central Police Station this morning as demanded as part of their conditions of release. They were informed that they would still be charged under Section 37 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act – ‘distributing materials likely to cause a breach of the peace’ and the police now had their documentation in order.

On going to court mid-morning, the lawyer was informed that the State wished to fast-track the case and that the trial would begin at 11.15 this morning. Neither the magistrate nor the court interpreter appeared however and the trial was postponed to 2.15pm. When attempts were made by the defence to postpone the hearing until tomorrow, the prosecutor, Andrew Marimo, replied that he was acting under strict instruction that the trial begins today.

The trial finally began in front of a packed court room (many of whom were WOZA members coming to give solidarity to their comrades) with Magistrate Rose Dube presiding. The charges stated that that the material that the two were carrying, namely a banner stating that ‘we want bread and roses’ and the Woza Moya newsletter, were obscene, abusive, threatening or insulting and intended a provoke a breach a peace. The line from the newsletter that the State had highlighted was “we immediately call on Robert Mugabe to hand over power to the winner of the presidential election, Morgan Tsvangirai”. The prosecutor attempted to argue that this line contravened laws that state that no one should announce the results of the election before the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC).

Mr Kacaca Phulu from Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights represented the two WOZA members. His defence was very simple; that none of the words or messages on any of the material carried was obscene, abusive, threatening or insulting. He went on to argue that contradictions in the Zimbabwean Electoral Act mean that people could interpret the clause in a Schedule of the Act as being correct. Therefore calling on Robert Mugabe to hand over power was not insulting the President but merely citizens exercising their right to an opinion.

The prosecutor tried to rebut by asking the court to consider the State’s feelings but was interrupted by Magistrate Dube who argued that this was not possible otherwise every Zimbabwean would be going through the courts for saying what they think.

After arguments were heard, Magistrate Dube announced that she would deliver her ruling on Monday 12th May and remanded Moyo and Ncube on $1 billion bail each (approximately US$5 at current exchange rates).

To read a copy of the ‘obscene, insulting, abusive and threatening’ newsletter, click here. Woza Moya English May 2008

In Harare meanwhile, WOZA leaders were attending the funeral of a long-standing WOZA member, Josephine John. Josephine passed away on Sunday 4th after a long illness. She will be remembered for her commitment to making a better future for herself and her children. Woza Moya!

Hundreds of members of Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) and Men of Zimbabwe Arise (MOZA) took to the streets of Bulawayo this morning, marching for several blocks to Mhlahlandlela Government Complex to declare a national disaster and demand immediate food aid for all Zimbabweans. Nine members have been arrested at the time of this release.

On arrival at the Government Complex, the group of approximately 200 sat down outside the gates whilst a delegation of four elderly women went in to request that the Regional Department Heads of all the service departments come out and address the crowd on what is being done to alleviate the humanitarian crisis facing the country.

The group sat peacefully waiting to be addressed for 45 minutes before five riot police approached the group. Two leaders, Jenni Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu, were arrested and taken to Drill Hall, which is across the road from Mhlahlandlela. The rest of the group were forcibly dispersed by being beaten with baton sticks. At least one member is receiving medical attention for the beating she received. Williams and Mahlangu were later taken to Bulawayo Central Police Station, where they are currently being held.

It appears that a group of seven women were arrested before the demonstration began as they were sitting waiting for the signal to start. They were apparently sitting near some black market foreign exchange dealers and were arrested along with them. They have also been taken to Bulawayo Central Police Station. Lawyers are still trying to verify reports that the group had been beaten inside Bulawayo Central.

The peaceful protestors had begun their march near the High Court and processed several blocks to Mhlahlandlela, singing and handing out the October 2008 Woza Moya newsletter to passers-by who rushed out into the street to receive them. A copy of the October 2008 newsletter with the group’s demands can be found below.

The demonstrators also paused at two intersections to sit down whilst chanting in Ndebele – ‘ayihlale phansi ihambe umthetho’ (sit down and maintain discipline). As during their last demonstration two weeks ago, this was sang both as a way to ensure that the activists maintained non-violent discipline and also as a message to politicians to sit down and respect the deal. Other songs sang include a WOZA favourite – ‘this is an issue that men are failing to solve’.

The protest was further to a previous peaceful protest on 29 September where the theme was ‘actions speak louder than words’. The political impasse continues a month after the power-sharing agreement was signed and the crisis facing people in their daily lives deteriorates dramatically every day. The power-sharing deal mentions grave concern for the humanitarian crisis facing people and yet still nothing has been done. People and children are dying of starvation whilst the politicians continue to talk.

WOZA therefore continues to demand immediate action regarding the formation of a new government that will begin to work on solving urgent social issues, like food, electricity and water. Recognising that the situation in the country is now a national disaster we also demand that ALL Zimbabweans receive access to food aid and also seed and agricultural inputs.

In other news, both groups of members facing trial this week have been removed off remand. On Tuesday 14th, the decision on the application for review of the case of Cynthia Ncube and Trust Moyo was not ready. Whilst the decision from the High Court is pending, they were removed off remand.

The ‘Chikurubi 14’ due to face trial in Harare Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday 15th, were also removed off remand. The docket was not available and although the State tried to insist that they were ready for trial and were trying to get the group further remanded for trial, the Magistrate upheld the resolution that she had made on 26th August that if the trial did not take off on the 15th October, the group would be removed off remand.

We also ask that you call Bulawayo Central Police Station on +263 9 72515, 61706 or 63061 and ask for the immediate release of all WOZA members including Williams and Mahlangu and that they not be mistreated in custody.

WOZA members outside The Chronicle, 10 Dec 08

OVER 1,000 members of WOZA marched through the streets of central Bulawayo today to the offices of the state-owned Chronicle newspaper. The peaceful group distributed flyers calling on the so-called government to stand aside to allow the United Nations to deal with the humanitarian crisis. Other flyers distributed by the group demanded the immediate release of Jestina Mukoko, Violet Mupfuranhehwe and her two-year old baby and the other pro-democracy activists abducted in the last few weeks. They also sang custom-composed songs to portray their message. No arrests have been reported at the time of this release.

The peaceful protest also commemorated Human Rights Day and the 60th anniversary of the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights under the theme – Human Rights of Women – Human Rights for All. Zimbabweans – stand up for the TRUTH and it will set you free of this regime.

Eight riot police, accompanied by a senior ranking officer, arrived at the Chronicle offices after the protest dispersed. They were overheard asking each other who to arrest. The officer was observed radioing for instructions, whilst the others arrested the placards and newsletters and started to follow the trail of the protest. At this time, an audit is being conducted to check if any arrests have been made.

Both protests yesterday in Harare and today in Bulawayo were lead by different levels of leadership to send a clear message to the regime that even if they arrest WOZA leaders, there are others to step forward and lead. Strict non-violent discipline was observed by all participants.

Comments overheard from bystanders in the bank queues included one woman saying to another, “this is WOZA – and they are singing the truth – children are crying.” To which the other woman replied, “why don’t you join them?” The answer: “I am a coward”.

On this Human Rights Day, WOZA would like to pay tribute to all human rights defenders in the country, commend them for their courage and urge them to remain resolute in the fight for a better Zimbabwe.

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

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

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

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

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

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

The United Nations International Day of Peace is commemorated on September 21. This “Peace Day” provides an opportunity for individuals, organizations and nations to create practical acts of peace. In 2002 the General Assembly officially declared September 21 as the permanent date for the International Day of Peace. By creating the International Day of Peace, the UN devoted itself to worldwide peace and encouraged all of mankind to work in cooperation for this goal. The UN Resolution suggested that: “Peace Day should be devoted to commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace both within and among all nations and peoples…This day will serve as a reminder to all peoples that our organization, with all its limitations, is a living instrument in the service of peace and should serve all of us here within the organization as a constantly pealing bell reminding us that our permanent commitment, above all interests or differences of any kind, is to peace.”

As Zimbabweans commemorate ‘Peace Day’, it is a year after the global political agreement (GPA) was signed on 15 September 2008. This deal was supposed to bring peace to Zimbabwe. The United Nations theme this year is: Better than a thousand empty words is ONE WORD that brings peace. The GPA contains 6,567 words but we are yet to see if these words really stand for peace. Because we are still waiting for peace, WOZA and MOZA members decided to choose a theme that shows the politicians how they can bring meaning to their words: Our theme: Social Justice will bring Peace of Mind

What does PEACE mean to us. It is peace that allows us to LIVE and to feel dignified. These are the social, economic and political promises of the GPA. WOZA and MOZA have a very simple way of explaining SOCIAL JUSTICE – it is the ‘BREAD and ROSES’ we always talk about. When we talk of ‘bread’, we mean basic commodities and ‘roses’, our rights and equal opportunities delivered and protected by a constitution which houses laws that we have written.

The power sharing government must prioritise social justice if they can deliver PEACE OF MIND to Zimbabweans. We ask the United Nations to intervene so that the following issues are URGENTLY attended to for our PEACE OF MIND.
1.    The power sharing government must STOP the harassment of vendors and ordinary Zimbabweans by POLICE – we all need PEACE OF MIND. The GPA promised retraining of Police – when is this going to start?
2.    Please could the UN intervene to urgently investigate the chaos in the education system. How can we have PEACE OF MIND when our children’s education is sacrificed for political gain?
3.    It is a daily worry of how we will cope with illness because we know the state of our hospitals – we need PEACE OF MIND to remain well. Please could the UN intervene to reorganise the health system. Even in death Zimbabweans cannot rest in peace – The mortuaries are overflowing and rats are feeding off our loved ones bodies.

As we commemorate Peace Day we are desperate to write our own constitution and are impatient to attend the consultation meetings; we are praying that our words will be respected when the final draft is written. WOZA and MOZA will mobilise against any attempt to fast track the Kariba Draft. We are no longer interested in negotiating – we demand a new constitution that includes:
•    The clear separation of powers and independence of the judiciary
•    A shorter term of office for the executive and a maximum age of 65 years
•    Dual citizenship – a constitution that protects right to citizenship
•    The following rights guaranteed by law: equality in all forms; right to education, health, housing and shelter, right to language and culture and caters for disadvantaged groups.

This is our Prayer for Peace Day 2009:
Lord Almighty; watch over your children as the enemy of peace strikes. Hold back the intention and action to harm and destroy your creation. Lord, touch the heart and mind of the doer, to feel guilt and stop at once. Lord, hear our prayers and serve our nation. Amen

Dr. Agostinho Zacarias
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

Ms Agnes Asekongye Oonyu
United Nations office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)

Dear Dr Zacarias and Madam Asekongye Oonyu,

Re: The People’s Charter – a blueprint for a better Zimbabwe

The 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. We need help from international friends however and this is why we are approaching you.

Our 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 formed the People’s Charter, which is attached below.

As Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) and Men of Zimbabwe Arise (MOZA) take to the streets of Bulawayo and Harare today to mark WOZA’s fifth Valentine’s Campaign, they will be marching with the theme ‘The People’s Charter – giving you a better life, a better Zimbabwe’.

In Harare, the protest is starting outside the offices of the UNDP. In WOZA’s first Valentine’s campaign in 2003, then Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, was chosen as WOZA’s ‘valentine’ and a petition delivered to the UNDP at the start of the demonstration. It was decided that it was therefore fitting to go back to where it all began in this, WOZA’s fifth year.

Five years later as we march in our Valentines Day procession, Zimbabwe is in even worse a position than what originally drove the women of this country to take a stand against the deteriorating situation in their homeland. We therefore ask that you consider this Charter to be a plea to the United Nations from the people of Zimbabwe. It is what the people want for their future – it is what we believe can bring a better Zimbabwe. We ask that you consider the Charter as the voices of ordinary Zimbabweans asking your organization to use whatever influence it can to bring about the socially just future we all desire.

Please open up your heart and read it sincerely knowing that it contains the dreams and desires of a heartbroken nation.

Yours faithfully,

Members and supporters of Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) and Men of Zimbabwe Arise

The 83 members arrested on 20th September appeared in Harare Magistrate’s Court in a remand hearing before Magistrate Vongai Muchuchuti this morning. The 76 women and seven men were arrested after a peaceful demonstration calling for community safety on International Peace Day and spent two nights in custody in Harare Central Police Station before being released on free bail. The activists were further remanded out of custody to 3rd November. 

The group has been charged under the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, Chapter 46, as read with Section 2(v) of the Third Schedule to the Criminal Code – ‘criminal nuisance’.

For the full list of demands that WOZA members were carrying during the protest and for 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

SIX women arrested appeared in Tredgold Magistrate Court on Monday 23 May and were granted bail on condition they lodged $100 bail each, report fortnightly on Fridays at Western Commonage Police Station. They appeared before Magistrate Gideon Ruvetsa, with public prosecutor Jeremiah Mutsindikwa. They were arrested on the night of Wednesday 18th May.

According to the State outline, the charge is malicious damage to property and three people are still at large.  The complainant is Bulawayo City Council represented by Lengama Douglas Ncube of the Engineering department.

The six were represented by human rights lawyer Kossam Ncube and Godfrey Nyoni. The lawyers notified the court that they will challenge the charge on the 6th of June which is the next time the six will appear in Court for a remand hearing. Lawyers also put into court record that the accused were denied food and that the police officers threatened them with death and disappearance and verbally abused them by referring to them as prostitutes. Under this duress, five of the accused admitted to the charge. This took place in the absence of their lawyers despite officers being well aware of the legal team. Over the weekend two homes were raided without any search warrant but not arrests were made.

The state case is based on ‘malicious damage to property’ but they will have to prove what repairs are needed and how they have calculated the damage at US$345.00 when the paint used is normal road paint which is used to draw traffic lines and fades over time.

150 WOZA members in Pumula, Bulawayo today marched to their local Electricity company office carrying a mock coffin to symbolise the burial of Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC). They began their march from a nearby shopping centre, intending to march past the police station to the ZETDC office but a vehicle drove out and dispersed them.

Police officers on bicycles then chased the activists but many managed to double back to the door of ZETDC to deliver the yellow cards and coffin. A drama ensured with residents shouting at police officers to stop chasing people as they do not have electricity themselves. All the police officers seem to come out to pick up and read the yellow cards, flyers and placards.

As the protest dispersed, six members, Simangaliso Msimanga, Grace Moyo, Pretty Chivunge, and Sikhangezile Sibanda and Memory Matandare with her 3month old baby and another have been arrested and handcuffed. Lawyers have been deployed.

An open letter to:
Zimbabwean retail and manufacturing business people
Minister of Industry and Commerce, Mr. Obert Mpofu
Minister of Home Affairs, Mr. Kembo Mohadi

Fellow Zimbabweans,
Firstly we wish to introduce ourselves to you; we are Women and Men of Zimbabwe Arise, a socio-economic movement formed to press for the promises of the liberation war to be delivered. We want a Zimbabwe where there is equality and respect for all its people. The Zimbabwe that we dream of is outlined in our People’s Charter that came about after consulting Zimbabweans across the country last year.

Included in the People’s Charter is the demand for adequate, affordable food with price controls on basic commodities if necessary. We note that price controls have now been introduced by government, supposedly as part of an ongoing campaign to ensure that basic commodities are affordable. We thank you for taking a step in the right direction.

We also note however that the introduction of price controls on every item for sale in the country has also led to basic commodities (and just about everything else) disappearing from the shelves. Slashing prices it is not enough – something needs to be done to ensure there are enough supplies of basic commodities for everyone. This will not happen if corruption and inflation are not tackled by meaningful political change. Slashing the zeroes did not help – neither will just slashing prices.

For us to truly believe that government has the people at heart and wishes to ensure that its people will have enough to eat today and every day, we wish to ask that both business and government join hands to take the following steps.

1. Government and the manufacturing sector should negotiate in good faith to find ways to produce more affordable food without compromising the living wage of workers. As a priority, fuel needs to be made available at affordable prices to reduce transport costs.
2. The uniformed forces should join the queues with others, with immediate effect, instead of having their own queues. If the Minister of Home Affairs did an unbiased investigation into the parallel or black market he would find that it is the family members of police and army who are allowed to buy in bulk – they take these goods onto the pavements and sell to us at inflated prices.
3. We ask the Ministry to reshuffle the Price Control Task Force as they are now corrupting the programme. There should be transparency as to how they are selected and what formula is used to work out the new prices.
4. We call on Government to stop harassing shop owners and allow them to stock and trade freely and honestly at the price set.
5. We ask shop owners to sell basic commodities through their formal businesses and their front door rather than out the back door and onto the black market.
6. We call on all Zimbabweans to be part of the solution – not part of the problem. We should not support or spread the black market and allow prices to skyrocket. Let us all help to bring down prices so we can have enough food in our homes. Please our children are starving – stop hoarding!
7. We also ask the Ministries of Home Affairs and Industry and Commerce to realise that WOZA and MOZA have a constitutional right to peaceful protest. We have the right to demand that food be available and affordable. Stop arresting and beating us when we only want to feed our families.