The two WOZA members, Trust Moyo and Cynthia Ncube, who have spent the last two nights in police custody, were released into their lawyer’s custody at noon today. They had been taken to court earlier this morning charged with ‘distributing materials likely to cause a breach of the peace’, Section 37 1(b) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act. The court documentation was not in order however and they were returned to Bulawayo Central Police Station.

They returned to court late morning where they were released into their lawyer’s custody. They are expected to report back to the police station tomorrow morning at 8am to see what else they could be charged with.

Both are in good spirits after their ordeal.

Trust had been arrested after the second demonstration by a plain clothed police officer who claimed to have seen him in the original protest. Surrounded by police officers so that he couldn’t be seen, he was driven into the bush and around the streets in an attempt to disorient him. He was then taken to the private residence of a senior-ranking police officer (wearing three stars on his shoulder) in Khumalo, a suburb of Bulawayo. This officer ordered he be released into the surrounding bushy area. The arresting officers argued amongst themselves that they could not do this however as people knew he had been taken. Trust, as he had been trained to do in an abduction scenario, had made a commotion when he was being arrested, shouting that he would die for WOZA if necessary. They then resolved to take him to Bulawayo Central where riot police tried to force him to eat the WOZA banner that he had been arrested with. When he refused they began to beat him and when he fell to the ground, continued to kick him with their booted feet before finally pouring a bucket of cold water over him.

Cynthia had been arrested outside butchery after the second demonstration by a police officer that she had given a Woza Moya newsletter. She was taken to the police post in Lobengula Street Mall and questioned as to why WOZA was demanding bread and roses. A female police officer slapped her across the face several times, accusing WOZA of being the reason that they are so badly paid but claimed that now that they had arrested her they had ‘hit the jackpot’. Officers also threatened to dump her at Chipangali (a wildlife orphanage just outside of Bulawayo) so that the lions could eat her. She was later walked to Bulawayo Central, being pushed and shoved all the way.

More members have continued to receive medical treatment for injuries they sustained on Monday, including a young man who had been hit across the head with a baton stick and a woman that had to receive three stitches on her leg after being hit with a baton stick.

News update 5pm Tuesday 6 May: 2 WOZA members spend second night in Bulawayo Central

The two WOZA members, Trust Moyo and Cynthia Ncube, who were detained yesterday following a peaceful demonstration, are set to spend a second night in police custody at Bulawayo Central Police Station. They were allowed access to their lawyers this afternoon however and have been charged with ‘distributing materials likely to cause a breach of the peace’ – a charge under the Public Order and Security Act (Section 19 1b) that has been incorporated into the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act in Section 37 1(b).

It is hoped that both members will be taken to court tomorrow (Wednesday) morning.

Trust was beaten by police on the street and also in a police vehicle. Apparently they were driven out of town and driven through a busy area near the army barracks, before being taken to Bulawayo Central. Eight police officers were in this vehicle. It is not clear what injuries he has sustained as a result of his beatings as he has not been allowed to receive medical attention. It is also not clear how Cynthia has been treated since her detention.

Three more members received medical treatment this morning. All three had been struck by the police vehicle and sustained deep tissue bruising.

Please continue to call Bulawayo Central Police Station on +263 9 72515, +263 9 61706 or +263 9 63061 to demand that these members be released and to ask police why peaceful demonstrators who were calling for an end to violence were beaten so badly.

News update Tuesday 5th May 9am:

The whereabouts of all WOZA members arrested yesterday afternoon has been established. Two members, one female and one male, spent the night at Bulawayo Central Police Station whilst all other members were released by late afternoon or early evening yesterday. Lawyers have not been allowed access to the two members in Bulawayo Central and it is not clear what they are being charged with or how they have been treated. Both are in good spirits however and have been allowed food both last night and this morning.

Five of the other members arrested had been taken to the police post (a tent) at Lobengula Street Mall whilst four had been taken to Drill Hall. They were all searched and questioned at length about why they were in town. After being held for hours, they were all finally released without charge.

59 members received medical attention but the number is expected to rise as several more members have requested appointments this morning. Injuries included deep tissue bruising caused by baton sticks and open wounds, mostly on the knees from where members fell from either the beatings they received or from being hit by the police vehicle that drove into the back of the crowd.

Two people, one woman and one man, hit by the vehicle, fractured their elbows, whilst another woman broke a finger from being hit by a baton stick. It was also discovered that another woman who had been hit across the stomach with a baton stick was actually pregnant, something she did not know herself, but she and the baby are fine.

Part of the message being delivered yesterday reads…. “We call on the uniformed forces to realise that there is no peace in the absence of justice. When change comes, and it will come, WOZA will demand an audit of all civil servants, including the uniformed forces.” The ‘audit’ continues and the driver of ZRP 3039M and the officer in charge of Bulawayo Central, Inspector Mabhari, have been added to the list of those who will face justice. The latter was heard ordering the beatings.

Please call Bulawayo Central Police Station on +263 9 72515, +263 9 61706 or +263 9 63061 and demand the immediate release of the two WOZA members. Please also ask Inspector Mabhari why he ordered the beating of innocent protestors and bystanders. You can also remind the officers that they are unlikely to receive immunity from justice when democracy returns to Zimbabwe but they have an opportunity to be remembered for the good they have done by releasing members today and treating them fairly.

*******

Monday 5th May: WOZA members beaten in Bulawayo today; at least 11 arrested – concern for their whereabouts

Members of Women and Men of Zimbabwe Arise took to the streets of Bulawayo today to call for an end to the politically motivated violence that has left more than 20 people dead in the last few weeks. The protest is also part of WOZA’s participation in the ‘make your vote count’ campaign. Ironically the peaceful protestors were met with brutal violence by the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP). At least 59 have needed to seek medical attention for injuries caused by baton sticks or being hit by a police vehicle.

The demonstrators had planned to deliver a demand to the High Court that the Chief Election Officer declare Morgan Tsvangirai as president, as the candidate that secured the greatest number of votes, rather than hold a run-off which would only result in more violence.

The group of several hundred had just gathered and began to march when they were violently set upon by two truckloads of riot police who viciously beat people with their baton sticks.

Seven people were arrested after this first attempt, some several blocks away. It is not clear where these seven people are as lawyers have not yet been able to locate them.

An hour the determined members regrouped near St. Mary’s Cathedral and were able to conduct a silent march for four blocks before being intercepted by uniformed police officers one block from the High Court. A discussion took place between the senior officer present and WOZA National Coordinator, Jenni Williams, who was in the process of asking members to disperse peacefully when two truckloads of riot police arrived and once again began beating people.

Riot police from one vehicle disembarked and began indiscriminately beating the crowd whilst a second police vehicle ZRP 3039 M deliberately drove into the back of the crowd injuring many people. As well as the brutal assault on the peaceful protestors, any women in the vicinity were also beaten. Eyewitness accounts include seeing a completely innocent bystander be slapped across the face by a uniformed police officer until she fell to the ground, all the while protesting her innocence.

Amongst those injured was Jenni Williams, who was beaten with baton sticks, both on the street and in a police vehicle (ZRP 2030M) when she was temporarily arrested. She was later released but others were not so lucky. At least four members were observed being arrested but once again lawyers have not been able to ascertain their whereabouts as they were observed being driven to a busy area near Brady Barracks.

There is concern as to the whereabouts of all those who were witnessed being arrested and also as to how they are being treated.

It has also been reported that riot police have been beating any group of women that they come across in town throughout the afternoon. Once again displaying the violent and brutal behaviour that has become synonymous with the ZANU PF regime.

As well as carrying demands for the Chief Elections Officer, WOZA also demanded that the uniformed forces and war veterans refrain from further violence, reminding them that the ‘chefs’ probably will be allowed to cut deals, whilst they will be left to face the justice of the law and the anger of the people.

In the week leading up to Mother’s Day, the peaceful protest was also expected to demonstrate courage to Zimbabweans and show that ‘mothers’ are speaking out and demanding that their vote count and be respected.

More information will be given when it becomes available.

To see a copy of the flyer that the demonstrators were handing out as they marched, click here. Woza Moya English May 2008

MELA UMNTANAKHO

Ukhetho selubuye lwedlula, ngakho iWOZA yethulela isigqoko kumaZimbabwe ahambe ayavota ngokuthula langesineke elibelaso lilinde iZEC ukuze ilungise izenzo zayo. Sekwedlule iviki singelampumela ngakho ke sithanda ukutshela iZEC ukuthi ingasijwayeli, inengi lethu sivote sikhonona sisazi ukuthi impumela ingatshontshwa. Abezombangazwe bayasongelana bethethisana lona ilizwe lisifa. Ngicela ugxile ingqondo yakho ngekusasa yomntanakho obumfisela yona nxa ubala lapha. Cabanga ukuthi abantwabakho benzani? Bangabe besesikolo bephatheke ezifundweni njalo befunda kuhle mhlawumbe balele ematafuleni esikolo baswele ababalisi? Bangabe befolele amanzi mhlawumbe badinga inkuni? Mhlawumbe bakhatshana emazweni? Kungabe kuyikufisa  kwakho lokho okwenzeka kumntanakho na? Bengaqhubeka bethumbe impumela yokhetho akulahulumende omutsha esizamthola sifune inhlalakahle kazulu esifaneleyo, kuze kube nini silinde impumela yokhetho thina vele sesabona okwakulotshwe emnyango yokuvotela njalo siyazi kamhlophe ukuthi savotela inguquko. Ngeviki eliphelileyo uzulu usebenzise ivoti ukukhuluma kuzwakale – kodwa ukukhwaza kukazulu kwenziwa ize. Lamhlanje yilo ilanga lokutshengisela ngokuthula sikhumbuza iZEC labozombangazwe ukuthi THINA abavoti yithi abanini bokhetho njalo THINA asisoze sibavumele benze santando ngevoti yethu. Senze isinqumo ngo X njalo kumele sihlonitshwe.

Umntwana ongakhaliyo ufela embelekweni.

UMNTANAKHO UKHANGELELE UKUTHI WENZE NGOKUTHULA ISENZO ESIZAVIKELA IVOTI NJALO SIKHULULE IMPUMELA.

Lamhlanje lithuba lokuqhubeka ngomzabalazo wokufuna ukuqondiswa kwamagobo kwezenhlalakahle kanye lokuzothisa uzulu weZimbabwe.

Ivoti lethu ngeviki ephelileyo, bekungenye indlela yokukhumbuza inkokheli ukuthi sifuna njalo kumele sibelenhlalakahle, engachasiswa kuthiwa yindlela enika abantu ukulingana, amathuba afanayo, ukufinyelela ezomnotho, amasiko, inkolo lokuphatheka kwezombangazwe kungakhathalekile umbala, umhlobo, ukudalwa kwakho lokunye nje ukubadlululwa.
Sithe sisiyavota sikhetha inkokheli ezintsha besifisa lokhu. Sifuna inkokheli ezizaqakathekisa okulandelayo:
·    Ukuthola amalungelo eneleyo kwezomnotho, ezamasiko, ezombangazwe lokuhlalisana kukazulu
·    Ukulingana komuntu wonke okugoqela ukulingana kwemihlobo
·    Ukuhlonipha amalungelo oluntu, okugoqela omama labantwana
·    Inkululeko egoqela ezokukhuluma, ukubuthana lobudlelwane
·    Ukuhlonipha lokubekezela amasiko lezenkolo ezehlukeneyo
·    Ukubaluleka lokwelusa indlela inkokheli ezisebenza ngayo, njalo zifeze izinqumo zikazulu
·    Ukuphathisa okulinganayo kwezombangazwe
·    Ukwethulwa kwemithetho okulinganayo lokufinyelela, ukwahlulelwa okusobala lokwazi  lokuzwisisa umthetho
·    Ukuqondisa amagobo, ukuhlukuluzwa okwadlulayo okunjengo Murambatsvina le Gukurahundi
·    Inhlalakahle yabantu
·    Ukuthola imfundo eyeneliswa nguzulu
·    Ukuthola ukudla okwaneleyo njalo esikwenelisayo
·    Ukuthola izindlu ezanelisekayo ezilamagetsi, izambuzi lamanzi ahlanzekileyo
·    Ukuthola okweneleyo kwezempilakahle lokwelatshwa lama ARVs
·    Ukwabelana umhlabathi ovundileyo ngokufanayo lokokulimisa lokubangumnini wawo
·    Amathuba alinganayo kwezomsebenzi, kwezokuziphilisa lokuthola iholo elenelayo ukuthi uziphilise
·    Ukuthuthukisa kwezakhiwo lokuthola okokuhambisa okweneliswa nguzulu
·    Ukusebenzisa ezemvelo ngonanzelelo langemfanelo

SingamaZimbabwe sifuna inhlalakahle esihlala  sikhuluma ngayo kodwa singayithola nxa sizimisele ukusukuma siyifune kunkokheli zethu. Qalisa lamhlanje.

 

Khathesi yisikhathi sokubopha ziqine umele ikusasa yomntanakho.

Human Rights of Women – Human Rights for All:
Universal Declaration for Human Rights 60 years after.
Zimbabweans – Stand up for the TRUTH and it will set you free of this regime.

WOZA members are commemorating the 16 Days of Activism and the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The truth is that there is nothing to celebrate, human rights abuses are on the increase and Zimbabweans are dying day by day. Politicians who call themselves the government do not show that they care. As WOZA members expose what is happening, they are beaten and put in jail. Their only crime is peaceful protests that tell the truth about the plight of Zimbabweans.

What we think about the political agreement, ministerial portfolios.
Zimbabwe is now a “complex emergency”, a failed state, without a functioning government and with the destruction of the economy, the infrastructure, and social capital. This requires an immediate political solution and we call on the international community, and in particular the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the African Union (AU), to act in defense of the ordinary citizens of Zimbabwe.

In the meanwhile we call on all Zimbabweans to refuse to recognise or legitimise in any way any and all ‘government officials’, we should cease to use the word government but refer to them as ‘Zanu PF, the illegitimate ruling party’.

About the political agreement – it remains not worth the paper it was written on until it is genuinely implemented. Even if implemented Zanu PF’s behaviour indicates that they are not serious about sharing power. It has been WOZA’s long-term position that we require a transitional authority whose mandate should include dealing with the humanitarian crisis as an urgent priority, as all politicians can no longer be trusted to deal with this catastrophe.

Should there be some form of ‘unity’ government we will not accept Zanu PF holding the posts of home affairs, justice or women’s affairs. Our experiences as activists put us on the sharp edge of these posts and we therefore know how the destructive and violent Zanu PF policies filter down the structures of these ministries onto the baton stick that beats us until it draws blood or into the minds of police and prison officers that jail us while Women’s Affairs officials remain silent. They are even silent about the abduction of Jestina Mukoko, Director of Zimbabwe Peace Project.

We note the thread of gender equality running through the power sharing deal and applaud the effort made by the mostly male negotiators. Yet as we recently declared in the streets of Bulawayo, actions speak louder than words. WOZA therefore encourages the selecting of a gender equal cabinet, as we will not be silenced by empty promises.

16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence Theme: Human Rights of Women – Human Rights for All: Universal Declaration for Human Rights 60 years after. WOZA has also adopted the theme. However WOZA members have boycotted any events organised or conducted by any current official from Zanu PF so called Ministry of Women’s Affairs, Gender and Community Development in line with our view on current governance. We conduct non-violent protests all year round to demand our rights and will continue but Zimbabweans the time has come for you to join us as we demonstrate.

Zimbabweans you are not demonstrating enough – you spend days queuing and only complain to one another without acting. It is heartbreaking for a hardened WOZA activist to watch people in the queues day after day, watching the shoulders in front of them and not thinking of doing something to change their situation. We see that in Thailand, eight days of nonviolent determined action by a unified mass of people resulted in the removal of their Prime Minister. He was banned from politics by the court after he was found guilty of buying votes. Why can’t Zimbabweans learn a lesson from Thailand and act together to stop the mismanagement of our country.

As mothers of the nation, we therefore wish to tell Zimbabweans that if they do not ACT to DEMAND their rights, their children will judge them as cowards. Even a frog can decide to jump out of sewerage pond because it stinks. Do something but do it non-violently. Join ZCTU, join NCA and join our demos to change our plight.

The Universal Declaration for Human Rights came into being because of the work of a woman – Eleanor Roosevelt who is called the “First Lady of the World”. She was chairman of the Human Rights Commission during the drafting of this document. It was adopted by the General Assembly on December 10, 1948. The real challenge, she liked to tell United Nations delegates in later years, was one of ”actually living and working in our countries for freedom and justice for each human being.” She also said, “People have a right to demand that their government will not allow them to starve”. We need to study the example of Eleanor and demand that human rights are respected in Zimbabwe. But our rights will not just be given to us we have to demand them.

Excerpts from The Universal Declaration of Human Rights- 60 years old

PREAMBLE
Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world,
Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people,
Whereas Member States have pledged themselves to achieve, in co-operation with the United Nations, the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms,

Article 1. All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.

Article 2. Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty.

Article 3. Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.

Article 5. No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

Article 9. No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile.

Article 19. Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.

Article 20. (1) Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.

Article 21. (1) Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives. (3) The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government; this will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections, which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures.

Article 23. (1) Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment. (2) Everyone, without any discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work.

Article 25.
(1) Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.
(2) Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance. All children, whether born in or out of wedlock, shall enjoy the same social protection.

Article 26. (1) Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit.

Zimbabweans – Stand up for the TRUTH and it will set you free of this regime

 

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Zviroto zve Zimbabwe
Itsva Gwaro Rinoratidza Gwara Regutsaruzhinji

Zvizvarwa zveZimbabwe, takabatana uye neushingi, tinoti:

• Kwapera makore makumi maviri nematanhatu tawana kuzvitonga kuzere, rusununguko nemikana yakaenzana yatakavimbiswa hazvisati zvazadzikiswa.
• Zviroto zvataiva nazvo zvekugara zvakanaka- ruremekedzo, kugarika nekuchengetedzeka – zvangova madzikirira. Zvavakuda kuti vanhu veZimbabwe tidzokere kuzviroto zvakanaka uye kuzvishandura kuzviiita zvinhu zvinoonekwa nekubatika.
• Tinofanirwa kurangarira kuti tinokodzera kuwana zvirinani uye hatifanirwi kutya kubvuma kuti ikodzero yedu kuva neramangwana rakanaka uye kuti tinekodzero yekubatsira kurivaka.
• Naizvozvi, isu vanhu veZimbabwe, madzimai, varume nevana, vemarudzi nezvitendero zvose, takabatana pamwechete, tiinekuremekedzana uye sevanhu vakaenzana, tinogamuchira gwaro rinoratidza gwara regutsaruzhinji, tiinekuziva kuti kana takabatana tinogona kuwana zvatinoshuvira zvese.
• Takazvipira kushandirapamwe nesimba, ushingi netarisiro, kusvikira zvizvarwa zvese zveZimbabwe zvawana kugara munyika inekusununguka kwechokwadi, runyararo uye kuremekedzwa.

Tese Tichava Nerusununguko uye Kuenzana

• Vanhu vese vemuZimbabwe vachava nekuenzana, zvisinei kuti murume kana mukadzi, urema, ganda, rurimi kana nzvimbo yaunobva. Kodzero dzemadzimai nevana dzichasimudzirwa pamwe nekuchengetedzwa.
• Tichadzidziswa kodzero nerusununguko rwatinopiwa nebumbiro remitemo yedu uye nemimwe mitemo yemuAfrica neyepasi rose kuti tigogona kusununguka mairi zvizere.
• Tichava nerusununguko rwekusangana, kuronga nekutaura mifungo yedu pasina kutya kana kutyityidzirwa.

Vanhu Vachava Nechekuita Muutungamiri

• Vanhu vachaziviswa nekukurudzirwa kuva nechekuita zvizere muutungamiri hwese hwenyika, vachidudza kodzero dzavo sezvizvarwa zveZimbabwe.
• Munhu wese akazvarirwa muZimbabwe achabvumidzwa kuva chizvarwa chenyika ino, zvitupa zvekuzvarwa, ID nemagwaro ekufambisa (passport), zvichawanikwa nyore kuzvizvarwa zvose zvenyika ino.
• Vanhu vachasununguka kusarudza mutungamiri wavanoda, pasina kutya kana kutyityidzirwa. Vatungamiri vezvinzvimbo zvese zvematongerwe enyika vachasarudzwa kupfurikidza nesarudzo dziripachena, pasina kubiridzira.
• Madzimai anofanira kukurudzirwa kugara zvigaro zveutungamiri kuitira kuti pave nekuenzana pakati pevarume nevakadzi.
• Panofanirwa kuva nesangano rakasununguka uyerakazvimiririra rinoongorora sarudzo uye sarudzo dzinofanirwa kuongororwa nevaongorori vasina bato rezvematongerwo enyika ravakarerekera, vachabva muAfrica nemhirikwemakungwa.
• Vanhu vachava nerusununguko rwekutsigira bato rezvematongerwo enyika ravanoda uye pasina kusarudzwa kana kusiirirwa nekuda kwebato ravanotsigira.
• Makambani enyika, vanoraira makambani aya, kanzuru nevanoona nekufamba zvakanaka kwenzvimbo dzigere vanhu vachashanda nekutungamira nenzira yakasununguka uye vasina bato rezvematongerwe enyika ravakarerekera.

Vatungamiri Vatinoda

• Vatungamiri vese, vari pazvinzvimbo zvakasiyana-siyana, vachava vanhu vakatendeka, vanehanya nevanhu vavanotungamira uye vanemoyo inorangarira kutambura kwevanhu uye vachiita mabasa ekuvandudza nharaunda dzavo.
• Vatungamiri vari pazvinzvimbo zvakasiyana-siyana, vacharemekedza vanhu zvakaenzana, vachateerera matambudziko avo nekuvabvunza mifungo yavo pakutoramatanho uye kuvaudza mamirire ezvinhu.
• Vatungamiri vanofanirwa kunzwisisa kuti mashandiro avo anokotsororwa, uye kubvuma kuti vanhu vakavasarudza vane kodzero dzekushoropodza nekuongorora mitemo nematanho avanotora.
• Vatungamiri vari pazvinzvimbo zvese vanofanirwa kushoropodza uori nechizivano pamberi pevanhu.
• Madzishe nemadzisabhuku havafanirwi kusarudzwa nevezvematongerwe enyika asi semasarudzirwo avaisiitwa panguva yemakare. Vanofanirwa kuva vanhu vasina bato rezvematongerwe enyika ravakarerekera, uye vanofanira kugara munharaunda dzavanotungamira kwete mudare Pariamende.

Rusununguko Mumitemo

• Pachava nebumbiro remitemo idzva- rakanyorerwa zvizvarwa zveZimbabwe, rakanyorwa nezvizvarwa zveZimbabwe.
• Mitemo yese yeudzvanyiriri inotsikirira kodzero dzevanhu yakaita se POSA ne AIPPA ichabviswa.
• Nyika ichatongwa zviripamutemo uye munhuwese achava pasi pamutemo, munhuwese achatongwa zvakaenzana pasi pamutemo, pasina rusarura uye zvisinei kuti ndewebato ripi rezvematongerwe enyika.
• Vatongi vedzimhosva vachashanda varibazi rakazvimirira roga uye risina bato rezvematongerwe enyika rarakarerekera, rakazvipira kusimudzira mutemo uye kukurudzira kutongwa kwedzimhosva kusina ubiridziri.
• Mapazi ese ehurumende, kunyanya vashandi vehurumende (civil servants) vanosanganisira mapurisa nemauto, vachashanda vasina bato rezvematongerwo enyika ravakarerekera uye vachashanda vachitevedzera zvido zvevanhu.
• Vasungwa vachabatwa zvinehunhu, vachigara zvinechiremera chinodiwa nemunhu wese uye vachiwana dzidziso yekuti vagogona kudzoreka nekuti vagogara zvakanaka nevanhu munharaunda dzavakabviswa. Vana vadoko vanenge vapara dzimhosva vachabatwa zvinoenderana nezera ravo nemapurisa kunyangwe nematare edzimhosva nemumatirongo.

Ivhu Iri Nderedu

• Chirongwa chekugohwa patsva kwevhu chinofanirwa kutangidzwa uye ivhu rinofanira kupiwa kumunhu wese zvakaenzana, zvisinei neganda kana kuti murume kana mukadzi uye kunevanogona kushandisa ivhu zvakanaka kuti vagobatsira zvizvarwa zveZimbabwe.
• Pachava nekuremekedza kodzero dzevanhu dzekuva nepfuma.
• Varimi vachawana rubatsiro rwemari nezvekushandisa kuti vagogona kurima zvine pundutso.
• Varimi vachawana mitengo inoenderana nezvirimwa zvavo pakutengesa uye vachava nekodzero yekutenga nekutengesera wavanoda vakasununguka, pasina kutyityidzirwa kana kumanikidzwa.

Upfumi Nepundutso

• Hurumende ichaita zvese zvinogoneka kuti iunze budiriro kumativi mana ese enyika zvakaenzana, mumaruwa nemumadhorobha, izvi zvichasanganisira migwagwa, zvipatara, nezvimwe zvinodiwa.
• Hurumende ichakurudzira kuvandudzwa kweupfumi hwenyika uye kuwanikwa kwemabasa kuitira kuvandudza upenyu hwezvizvarwa zvese zveZimbabwe.
• Hurumende ichaita zvese zvainogona kudzikisa kukwira zvakanyanya kwemitengo wezvinodiwa pakurarama kupfurikidza nenhaurirano dzinosanganisira zvizvarwa zvese zvemuZimbabwe.
• Zvizvarwa zveZimbabwe zvinoda kuti kubhadhariswa kwemitero kuve pachena uye kuudzwa kuti mitero yavo inofambiswa sei.
• Hurumende ichazvipira pachokwadi kupedza uori kuti husapfukuta upfumi hwenyika nekukurudzira kuvandudzwa kweupfumi.
• Mari ichavaneuremu uye tichava nemari yechokwadi kwete macheki.

Kodzero Yekuwana Raramo

• Munhu wese achava nekodzero yekuwana raramo kuti asararama nezvekupiwa kana kupemha uye kudzivirira chiremera.
• Pachava nemabasa anoringana, nzvimbo dzekushandira dzakanaka uye mashandiro anehunhu, vashandi vachiwana mibairo inokwana kuvararamisa uye inoenderana nebasa nemashandiro avanoita.
• Mari nezvimwe zvekubatsira kutanga mapurojekiti ekuti vanhu vagone kuzviraramisa zvichawanikwa, kunyanya kunevechidiki uye shirikadzi.
• Vanhu vachabvumidzwa kutengesa, maresinesi uye dzimba dzekutengesera dzichapiwa zviripachena, zvisina kubiridzira kana chizivano.

Raramo Yakanaka

• Pachava nekudya kunokwana munhu wese.
• Zvinhu zvese zvinodiwa zuva roga roga pakurarama kwevanhu (basic commodities) zvichawanikwa huye nemitengo yakaderera- inogonekwa nemunhu wese, uye kana zvichifanirwa, pachava nekutarwa kwemitengo kuti munhu wese azviwane.
• Vanhu vese vachawana mukana wekugara mudzimba dzakanaka dzine mutero wakareruka, mitero ichadzikiswa uye pachava nekuremekedza kodzero yekuva nepfuma (property rights).
• Nzvimbo dzese, madhorobha nemaruwa, dzichawana mikana yekuitirwa zvese zvinodikwa kuti vanhu vararame zvineutano semvura yakachena, masewage anofambiswa zvakanaka uye kubviswa kwemarara munzvimbo dzinogara vanhu nezvimwe zvakafanira.
• Nzvimbo dzese, madhorobha nemaruwa, dzichawana magetsi nemitengo inokwaniswa nemunhu wese.
• Pachava nezvifambiso zvinosvika nzvimbo dzese mativi mana enyika, nguva dzose uye nemitengo inogonekwa nemunhu wese. Vakwegura vanofanirwa kufamba pasina muripo.
• Vanoshaiwa kana vanotambura vatigere navo vanofanirwa kuchengetwa, vanhu vanosanganisira vakwegura, shirikadzi, varikurarama neutachiona hwe HIV/AIDS, nherera uye zvirema, vachachengetwa zvakanaka nehurumende.
• Vanhu vese vachawana kodzero yekuzorora, kutamba mitambo yakasiyana siyana uye kuwana nzvimbo dzekutandarira.

Kudzidzisa Nyika

• Mwana wese anekodzero yekuwana dzidzo pasina rusarura. Avo vasina mari dzekuenda kuzvikoro vachawana rubatsiro rwemari yechikoro.
• Dzidzo yepuraimari (primary) ichawanikwa pachena uye dzidzo yekusekondari (secondary) ichawanikwa nemari iri pasi sezvatakavimbiswa muna 1980 patakawana kuzvitonga kuzere.
• Vadzidzi vese vachawana dzidzo yepamusoro, vachadzidzisirwa mudzimba dzekudzidzira (classrooms) uye vachawana zvekushandisa zvakakwana zvinosanganisira mabhuku ekunyorera nekuverenga, zvituro nematafura nezvimwewo.
• Pachava nevadzidzisi vakadzidzira basa ravo vakakwana uye vakazvipira kudzidzisa vatungamiri vemangwana. Tinofanira kuvaremekedza zvakakwana nekuvapa mibairo (salary) inokwana kuti vararame upenyu husiri hwekutamburira.

Tinoda Utano

• Munhu wese achagona kurapwa nemutengo wakaderera uye unogona kubhadarwa nemunhu wese.
• Zvipatara nemakiriniki zvichava nemishonga uye michina nemidziyo yekushandisa yakakwana.
• Varikurarama neutachiwona hwe HIV/ AIDS vachawana mishonga (ARVs), vasina mari yekuitenga vachaipihwa pachena pasina chavanobhadara, uye kana zvichifanira, zvekudya pachena, mahara.
• Vakwegura vacharapwa uye kupiwa mishonga pachena.
• Pachava nevarapi (vanosanganisira madhokotera nemanesi) vakadzidzira basa ravo vakakwana uye vachabata vanhu zvakanaka, zvinehunhu uye ruremekedzo. Tinofanira kuvaremekedza zvakakwana nekuvapa mibairo (salary) inokwana kuti vararame upenyu husiri hwekutamburira.
• Vanhu vachavanekodzero yekufa zvinehunhu uye zvinechiremera, mitengo yekuviga vanhu, semutengo wemakuva nezvimwe, unofanira kuvawakadzikira.

Kufambiswa kwenhau

• Pachava nevatepfenyuri venhau vemaradio, vematerevhizhini nevanyori vemapepanhau vakawanda uye vakazvimirira voga, vachatepfenyura nekunyora nyaya dzechokwadi uye vasinabato rezvematongerwo enyika ravakarerekera.
• Kuchanyorwa nhau dzinehudzamu, dzisina bato rezvematongerwe enyika kwadzakarerekera uye mapato ezvematongerwe enyika anofanira kuwana mukana wakaenzana wekunyorwa kana kutaurwa nezvawo pamhepo.

Kugadzirisa Uipi

• Pachava nekukumbira ruregerero zvinonzwisisika neavo vakaronga Gukurahundi uye vachapa tsananguro dzechokwadi kuti uipi uhwu hwakaitirwei.
• Vakapona paGukurahundi uye mhuri dzeavo vakanyangarika dzinofanirwa kubhadharwa.
• Hari dzakabviswa kunzvimbo inoyera yeNjelele kuMatopos, Matabeleland, dzinofanirwa kudzoserwa, kushaiwa ruremekedzo kwakaitwa pakudzibvisa kogadziriswa uyekwokumbirwa ruregero.
• Vakarasikirwa nedzimba pakaitwa chirongwa cheMurambatsvina vanofanirwa kupiwa dzimba dzavakavimbiswa uye vanofanirwa kuripwa.
• Vatungamiri varikuba nevakaba upfumi hwenyika kupfurikidza nehuori vanofanirwa kutongwa mumatare edzimhosva.

Kuremekedza Tsika

• Munhu wese achava nekodzero dzinoenzana dzekushandisa rurimi rwake uye kutevedzera tsika nemagariro ekwaanobva.
• Zvizvarwa zveZimbabwe, kunyanya vechidiki, vanofanirwa kudzidziswa tsika nemagariro avo neavamwe kuitira kuti vagogona kuremekedza tsika dzavo nedzevamwe.

Runyararo Neushamwari

• Zvizvarwa zveZimbabwe vanhu vagara vaineushamwari- ngatiratidzei ushamwari uhu kuvavakidzani vedu, muAfrica nemhiri kwemakungwa kuti vagotibatsira kuvaka nyika yechizvarwa Zimbabwe.

Vese vanoda Zimbabwe ngatibatanei pakushandura zviroto zvegwara regutsaruzhinji negadziriso yeiupi hwakaitika muzimbabwe kuti zvigovapo pachokwadi.

SEVEN members arrested in Bulawayo on Wednesday 17th June appeared on remand in Bulawayo Magistrate’s Court on 10 September. They had been remanded out of custody but were reporting to their closest police station every Friday. Defense lawyer, Kossam Ncube, successfully applied for their reporting conditions to be relaxed. They will reappear in court on 7 October 2009.

The activists are charged under Section 37 1 a of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act – ‘disturbing the peace, security or order of the public’.

Another matter still before the courts is the arrest of Jennifer Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu on 16 October 2008. The matter is still before the Supreme Court as a ruling promised in July is still pending. They will appear on remand in Bulawayo Magistrate’s Court on 14 October 2009.

WATCH OUT FOR WOZA ON VALENTINE’S DAY 2006 WE ARE MARCHING FOR BREAD AND ROSES!
We want more than day to day survival – we deserve roses and the dignity they stand for. This year’s theme is inspired by the `Bread and Roses` strike led and won by American women textile workers in 1912. For women in 2006 the bread stands for the need for affordable food and the roses represent the need to be dignified and the call for social justice.

WOZA IZATSHENGISELA IFUNA IZINKWA LAMALUBA!
Sikhathele ukuphilela usuku ngosuku – sifuna ukuzotha okumelwe ngamaluba.

WOZA IRIKURATIDZIRA NEZVECHINGWA NEMARUWA!
Tinoda zvinopfuura kurarama kwepazuwa nepazuva – tinokodzerawo maruwa nerukudzo.

Twelfth January 1912 was the anniversary of the start of the Bread and Roses strike in Lawrence, United States; one of the most important struggles in the history of the U.S. working class. A new law had reduced the working week and cut the average wage – the last straw for workers living on the edge of starvation. Thousands of women and men started a spontaneous strike that rippled through two dozen textile factories. Some 23,000 people left the mills and poured into the streets. The Lawrence strike was different in two ways: women led it and there was an effort to unite workers of all nationalities around four demands: a 15-percent wage increase, a 54- hour work week, double pay for overtime and the rehiring of all strikers without discrimination. The workers also saw the strike as part of a broader struggle – they wanted to fight for social justice; dignity as well as basic needs.

Police threw the women in jail but they refused to pay the fines. As soon as they were released they returned to protest. One lawyer commented, “One policeman can handle 10 men, while it takes 10 police to handle one woman.” The strike went on for over two months. Children were starving and had to be sent to nearby towns. When they tried to leave, police responded by attacking women and children, forcing the children to stay. That was the turning point. An international outcry forced the government to investigate, putting more pressure on the bosses.

Finally on March 14, the strikers won a 25-percent increase, pay for overtime and no discrimination against strikers. This strike had shown that low-paid, oppressed workers of diverse nationalities could unite and organise a powerful struggle against ill-treatment. It stands as a shining example of how to build unity with women in the lead. One reporter wrote of the Lawrence strike: “It was the spirit of the workers that seemed dangerous. They were always marching and singing. The strikers not only wanted decent pay, but also a chance to enjoy the good things of life. They carried signs saying, “We want bread and roses too!”

And they sang: “As we go marching, marching, we battle too for men, for they are women’s children, and we mother them again. Our lives shall not be sweated from birth until life closes; hearts starve as well as bodies; give us bread, but give us roses.”

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Omama labobaba kweleAmerica batshengisela mhlaka 12 Zibandlela 1912. Babetshengisela befuna izinkwa lamaluba, ngoba umthetho omutsha usuqume amalanga okusebenza njalo usuyehlise iholo lokhu kwenza izisebenzi ezazivele zilamba zithwale nzima. Kwatshengisela omama labobaba abayi 23 000, kwavalwa amafemu amanengi. Ukutshengesela lokhu kwakukhokhelwa ngomama ababefuna into ezine: ukukhwezelwa kweholo nge15%, ukusebenza amahola ayi54 ngeviki; ukuhola okuphindwe kabili nxa bengazebenza amahola edlulisileyo; lokuthi labo ababexotshiwe betshengisela babiselwe emsebenzini kungela bandlululo. Izisebenzi zabona ukutshengisela kuyingxenye yokulwela ukuzikhulula. Babefuna ukulwela inhlalakahle, ukuzotha, lokuthola okufaneleyo impilweni. Amapholisa abajikela omama laba emajele kodwa bala ukuhlawula imali yokuthi bonile. Besanda kukhululwa babuyela bayatshengisela. Omunye ugqhwetha wathi “Ipholisa elilodwa lingabopha amadoda alitshumi kodwa kuthatha amapholisa alitshumi ukubopha umama oyedwa.”

Mhlaka 14 Mbimbitho, abatshengiseli banqoba, iholo lakhwezwa nge25%, bathola ukuhlawulwa amahola adlulisileyo, ababexotshiwe babiselwa emsebenzini. Ukutshengisela kwezisebenzi ezihola iholo elincane njalo zincindezelwe zivela kuzizwe ezehlukeneyo zingabambana, ziqoqane ziyenze ukutshengisela okukhulu. Intathelizindaba yabhala yathi, “Ukuzinikela kwezisebenzi kwesabisa….. babehlabela behamba. Ababetshengisela babengafuni iholo elithuthukileyo kuphela babefuna into ezithokozisa impilo. Babethwele imbiko ethi ‘Sifuna izinkwa lamaluba futhi!” Babehlabela besithi, “Sitshengisela nje sitshengiselela labobaba, ngoba bayinzalo yabomama, njalo singomama babo. Impilo yethu ayisoze ibengeyezithukuthuku kusukela sizalwa size sife; inhliziyo ziyalamba kanye lemizimba ngakho ke lisinike izinkwa, kodwa lisinike lamaluba.

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Musi wa 12 Ndira 1912 vakadzi nevarume vekuAmerica vakaratidzira. Chiratidzo ichi chainzi Chingwa neMaruva. Mutemo mutsva wakanga waderedza basa revhiki zvichiita kuti vaomerwe neupenyu. Zviuru zviviri nenhatu zvemepfumbamwe zvevanhukadzi nevanhurume vakaratidzira vachivhara mafekitari. Kuratidzira uku kwaitungamirirwa nevanhukadzi vaive nezvinangwa zvina: kuwedzerwa kwemari inopiwa vashandi nechikamu chinoita gumi nechishanu kubva muzana, ma hour makumi mashanu nemana ekushanda pavhiki, kupiwa mubhadharo wakapetwa kaviri kana vakapfuura nguva yakatarwa yekushanda uye kudzokera kwevaratidzira kumabasa pasina rusaruro. Asi vashandi vakaonazve kuratidzira uku sechidimbu cherusununguko rwakakura – vaida kurwira magariro akarurama anemutsigo uye kuwana zvakakodzerana neupenyu. Mapurisa akasunga vakadzi ava asi vakaramba kubhadhara Mari yeusungwa. Vachingobudiswa mujere vakadzokera kunoratidzira zvekare. Rimwe gweta rakati “mupurisa mumwe anochengetedza varume gumi asi zvinoda mapurisa gumi kuchengetedza mukadzi mumwe.” Kuratidzira uku kwakaenderera mberi kwemwedzi miviri.

Pakupedzisira musi wa 14 Kukadzi varatidziri ava vakawana kukwidzwa kwemari inopiwa vashandi nezvikamu zviviri nechishanu kubva muzana, kushanda kupfuura nguva dzakatarwa uye varatidziri vachidzoka kumabasa. Kuratidzira uku kwakataridza kuti vashandi vanobhadharwa mari shoma, vakadzvanyirirwa vendudzi dzose vanokwanisa kubatana, kurongeka, uye kuratidzira hondo yakasimba. Mumwe mutori wenhau akati, “Wanga uri mweya wevashandi wanga uchityisa…vaigara vachifamba nekuimba. Varatidziri vaisada muhoro wakawanda chete asi vaida neupenyu wakanaka. Vaitakura mifananidzo yakanyorwa kunzi ‘tinoda chingwa nemaruva zvekare.’” Uye vaiimba kuti, “Patinofamba, patinofamba, tonorwirawo vanhurume zvekare, nekuti vana vevanhukadzi uye tinovachengetawo. Upenyu hwedu haucharwadzi kurarama dakara tafa, moyo uchiomerwa semuviri, tipei chingwa nemaruva!”

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Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) hosted an initial consultation on the subject of Social Justice, two hundred delegates from WOZA, other civic organisations, and two Zambian activists attended.

Consultation Objectives

• to bring the national discourse back to the issues that concern ordinary people, giving them back the initiative
• refocus attention on the basic and fundamental rights that belong to us all
• ensure that the voices of grass-roots communities are consulted and heard
• construct a new agenda of social justice around which we can all mobilise for action
• create and raise expectations of people as to what political leaders should deliver and how to hold them accountable

Initial consultation overview

Social justice can be defined as a system where people have equal opportunities/access to social, economic, cultural, religious and political needs regardless of race, gender, creed or any other form of discrimination.

It can be the way we interact with others and a method of governance which includes the following:

• Full enjoyment of all social, political, economic and cultural rights
• An equal society including gender equality
• Respect for human rights including women’s and children’s rights
• Freedoms including speech, assembly and association
• Respect and tolerance of diversity – culture and religion
• Transparency and accountability
• Equal participation in political and economic decision-making
• Equal application of the law – access to justice and understanding of the law
• Correction of past injustices such as Gukurahundi and Murambatsvina
• Gutsaruzhinji/inhlalakahle yabantu (Good living)
• Access to affordable education
• Adequate and affordable food
• Access to affordable housing, electricity, sanitation and clean water
• Access to affordable healthcare and medication including anti-retrovirals (ARVs)
• Equal and fair access to fertile land, inputs, equipment and secure ownership
• Equal opportunities to resources, employment, self-help projects and the right to earn a living wage
• Development of adequate infrastructure and access to affordable transport
• Environmentally sustainable usage of resources

The consultation process continues – we would like your opinion on how we can make Zimbabwe a socially just nation. Email us at wozazimbabwe@yahoo.com or write to us. Join us in the street to see how your dreams can become possibilities…

Update Wednesday 20th Jan – 10am:

It has emerged that Tabitha Taona was released last night under unclear circumstances. She is at home and is in good spirits.

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Update Tuesday 19th Jan – 5pm:

Thabita Taona is set to spend another night in Harare Central Police Station as Law and Order officers refuse to assign an Investigating Officer to the case. Until an Investigating Officer is assigned, charges cannot be formally brought against her. Attempts by lawyers to have the case against her speedily dealt with have come to nothing as police are obviously engaged in delaying tactics. She has been allowed to see her lawyer and has received the food brought to her. She has also been interrogated extensively about who was in the demonstration.

The man caught ‘in the cross-fire’, Comfort Nyakura, was released last night after his employer confirmed that he had been at work at the time of the demonstration and was merely on his lunch break.

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Update Monday 18th Jan – 6pm:

A woman, Thabita Taona, and man, Comfort Nyakura, arrested earlier today after a peaceful protest to the Minister of Education, will spend the night in custody at Harare Central Police Station. Nyakura was arrested after taking a photograph of the demonstration with the camera on his mobile phone. The third person arrested, journalist Andrison Manyere, was released earlier this afternoon with a caution. Lawyers from Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) are in attendance. It is unclear at this stage what the two will be charged with.

It is not the first time that WOZA members have been arrested for asking for a better education for their children. The last time WOZA protested peacefully at the Ministry of Education in February 2009, they were brutally beaten by riot police and five members arrested. Nor is it the first time that a bystander has been arrested for merely observing a WOZA demonstration.

As with the demonstration in Bulawayo last week, the peaceful protestors received great encouragement from bystanders, both along the route and outside the Ministry. In fact, it is believed that Ministry officials were on their way to join the demonstration when the riot police arrived. Even the soldiers outside the Ministry of Defence next door to the Ministry of Education were vocal in their encouragement to the demonstrators. As the group sang ‘tinoda dzidzo‘ (we want education), bystanders were overheard congratulating the WOZA members for speaking out about this issue that is close to the heart of every Zimbabwean.

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Members of Women and Men of Zimbabwe Arise marched to the Ministry of Education in Harare at noon today to hand over their report on the education system in Zimbabwe entitled – Looking Back to Look Forward. The report covers recommendations and a list of demands that parents want addressed by the Minister of Education, Senator David Coltart. Police interrupted the peaceful demonstration, arresting three people, a woman and two men. One of the men is an accredited journalist that was covering the march. At the time of this release, riot police were still actively stopping any group of people walking together in central Harare and interrogating them.

As is standard WOZA practice, three separate demonstrations started simultaneously and converged on the Ministry of Education offices. Two of the groups, approximately 250 people, managed to reach the Ministry offices; the third demonstration was broken up by riot police before it could arrive at the Ministry. It is still unclear how many people, if any, were arrested during this process.

On arrival at the Ministry, a small delegation went to meet with the Minister, Senator David Coltart, to give him a copy of the report. Before he could come downstairs to address the peaceful group outside, a truckload of riot police arrived, beating their baton sticks on their shields. The journalist and the man were arrested at this point and the rest of the group dispersed. The woman who is currently under arrest was arrested near Parliament, over a block away from the Ministry of Education.

The full text of the report on education can be found below as can the text of the newsletter the protestors were marching with.

Two members of Women and Men of Zimbabwe Arise were arrested today at a public meeting convened by the Competition and Tariff Commission at the Large City Hall in Bulawayo.

Two hundred members of WOZA and MOZA attended the public meeting in order to present their views to the Commission on ZESA. As the delegation were due to answer questions, two members, Million and Mavis Sibanda, took the opportunity to go to the toilets, which are in the reception foyer. As soon as they entered the foyer, they were grabbed by two plain clothed police officers who searched their bags. The police officers then insisted the two members accompany them to Central Police Station. This incident took place under the eyes of the Commission Secretary who was registering attendance in the foyer.

WOZA National Coordinator announced to the meeting of the arrest of the two members, asking the Commission and the Permanent Secretary of Energy and Development to explain this harassment when members had come to engage ZESA as consumers. She then called on the members present to hand over their ‘yellow cards’ and leave. Whereupon all 200 members present processed to the front stage to hand over the cards and walked out.

WOZA leaders then questioned the Commission Secretary as to why these people had been arrested and she referred the matter to her boss. Two of the ‘bosses’ came out of the function and were informed of the arrests. They agreed that as organisers they would follow up and asked WOZA members to come back in to the meeting. They declined until their members were released.

At the police station, Million and Mavis were being interrogated as to their objective in the meeting and a bunch of ‘yellow cards’ found on Million were confiscated. They were mwade to narrate their life history which was noted down on a profile form. Some other police officers then apparently came to their rescue asking why they had been arrested. Upon hearing the explanation, they said they are also suffering from high electricity bills and long cuts and that WOZA should be allowed to protest on this issue. They then insisted the two WOZA members should be released. Upon confirmation of their release, the rest of the WOZA members went back into the meeting.

WOZA would like to condemn the continued harassment of human rights defenders and questions the commitment of the state to allow citizens to participate in public forums.

To read a copy of WOZA’s ‘yellow card’, click here: ZESA yellow card

To read a copy of WOZA’s report on electricity services in Zimbabwe, click here: WOZA report on ZESA

Update – 9pm
20 WOZA members remain in police custody in Masvingo tonight – their third night – in direct contravention of the 48-hours maximum period allowed under the Public Order and Security Act (POSA). Police gave the excuse that their equipment was not functioning properly so they could not take the statements of all 20 in time. Lawyers also blamed a go-slow at the courts for the inability to bring an urgent High Court application before a judge to demand their immediate release. The group was arrested at noon on Tuesday whilst launching the People’s Charter. The group is expected to appear in court early tomorrow morning (Friday).

The 17 women and three men are split between Masvingo Central and Chikato Police Stations. Please call these stations and demand to know why they are insisting on holding WOZA members illegally.
Masvingo Central – +263 (0) 39 62221.
Chikato – +263 (0) 39 62308

Secretary Rice spotlights Jennifer Williams, founder of WOZA

By Jim Fisher-Thompson
USINFO Staff Writer

Washington — Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice spotlighted the achievements of Zimbabwean human rights activist Jennifer Williams with an International Women of Courage Award presented at the State Department March 7.

Williams, founder of Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) — a civil society organization established in 2003 to protest government abuses — accepted the award in the name of the group’s more than 45,000 members.

“The award is a great honor, but the real award will be a free and independent Zimbabwe ,” Williams told USINFO during an interview at the State Department on the day of the ceremony.

The Zimbabwean was one of 10 recipients of the courage award chosen from among a field of 82 women activists nominated by U.S. embassies worldwide.

The ceremony was held on International Women’s Day, during a month that the United States celebrates as National Women’s History Month.

Announcing the award for Williams, the department cited the “harassment and physical abuse” she suffered under President Robert Mugabe’s regime and commended her for “providing an example of courage and leadership by working for change through peaceful and nonviolent means.”

In establishing the award in 2006, Rice said, “Women of courage are standing up for freedom and human dignity and the United States stands with them. We must not forget that the advance of women’s rights and the advance of human liberty go hand in hand.”

Arrested more than 25 times for leading protests against Mugabe’s regime, Williams said, ” Zimbabwe supposedly got independence in 1980.” But under “dictator” Mugabe’s disastrous land-seizure policies the economy is being destroyed and the country is turning into a beggar of international food aid.

Because of resulting malnutrition and lack of proper health care, she said, “Women are dying at age 34 [median age]; men, at 37. You can’t earn a living. The authorities tear down houses that are not squatter houses and stop you from making a living.”

Hardships fall especially hard on women, Williams said, because it is the children “who beg mama for more food or want to know why they can no longer go to school” when there is no money for school fees.

Williams, a Matabele from Bulawayo , has paid a high personal price for her social and political protests. She received death threats following her arrests. Her thriving public relations business is defunct and her husband and children live in “economic exile” in Britain . A Matabele is a member of the Bantu people native to southern Zimbabwe .

Despite the personal sacrifices, the activist said she feels empowered because WOZA’s strength lies in its community members “who have ownership” in the organization. “It is because of our united struggle, hand in hand, that we are going to get the Zimbabwe we want,” she said.

“Another very important aspect in saving our [protestor’s] lives is the solidarity we get from people around the world,” Williams said. And in that regard “the American Embassy in Harare has been very helpful.”

“On the 12th of December I was arrested along with 300 others at parliament,” she related. “It was an incredible thing to see a U.S. Embassy vehicle parked right there where we were seated on the ground under arrest. One police official after another tried to get the Americans to move but they just kept sitting there saying, ‘we are just here to observe the process.’”

“That gave us a lot of courage,” Williams said. “We had been brutally beaten just two weeks before at a demonstration and we just needed to know that someone was watching out for us this time around. And at the demonstration at parliament, the police allowed us walk away free, which had never happened before.

“So, we think it is important for the diplomatic community to play a role in helping us achieve our struggle,” she added. “We can do it ourselves but it helps when the Mugabe authorities know the world is watching.”