The 83 members arrested on 20 September after a peaceful protest to mark International Peace Day were finally removed off remand in a routine court hearing in Harare Magistrate’s Court this morning. Magistrate Macdonald Ndirowei finally granted the defence’s application for a refusal of further remand.

Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights had applied for a refusal of further remand when the group had appeared in court on 1 December 2010. The magistrate refused this application and further remanded the 83 members to 29 December. He stated if the prosecution did not have their case in order on the 29th the group would be removed off remand. When they duly appeared on the 29th however, the public prosecutor who had been dealing with the case was on leave and the stand-in prosecutor did not have a record of the case. Instead of dismissing the matter, the magistrate further remanded the group out of custody to 3 January 2011.

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’.

WOZA is very pleased that the 76 women and seven men have finally been removed off remand. We condemn the continuous persecution through prosecution of human rights defenders exercising their constitutional right to peaceful protest however.

SIX women arrested on Wednesday 18 May 2011 were finally located by lawyers who had to search go door to door at suburban police stations. They located them at 3 police stations, Sauerstown, Hillside and Donnington. The six are Teresia Phiri 45yrs, Janet Dube 45 yrs, Juliet Nyathi 29 yrs, Thobekile  Ncube 37 yrs, Sibekezele Nkomo 30 yrs, and Loyce Ndlovu whose age is yet to be determined. They had not eaten for 24hours as a result of being hidden away from lawyers and relatives. Human Rights lawyer, Kossam Ncube was finally granted access at 2pm Friday. The six were charged with contravening section 140 of Criminal Law (Codification and Reform Act) Chapter 9:23, malicious damage to property. They will spend the weekend in custody until they appear on Monday the 23rd of May at Bulawayo Magistrate Court at 8am.

Two of the women had been beaten upon arrest and had been prodded with a charged pistol until reaching the police station, 2km away from the arrest point. When arriving at Western Commonage police station, police officers compared their names to their ‘list’ of WOZA activists. They were then taken to Bulawayo Central where they were split up to the suburb stations.

WOZA has been aware that members of the ruling Zanu PF party were being asked to get the names of WOZA activists and give the names to the police. As political debate rages on about election dates and Zanu PF activists enjoy the freedom to move about forcing people to sign their anti sanctions petition, the politicised police force has been ordered to increase repression on human rights defenders. It is sad to note that the affordable electricity WOZA Defenders are campaigning will have more direct impact on ordinary people than the anti-sanctions petition of Zanu PF.

On Friday morning, a police vehicle was seen in Iminyela suburb with Thobekile and Janet on board and they went to 3 homes trying to secure the arrest of further members. Finding the women not at home, CID law and Order Detective Assistant Inspector Chikango then arbitrarily arrested a hostage – 17 year old Professor Nkala, leaving a note summonsing his mother Mavis Sibanda to follow to the Law and Order Department of Bulawayo Central.

Professor was interrogated and then released late afternoon but DAI Chikango followed him home and took him away again. He returned home 30 minutes later having been beaten to divulge the mobile number of another leader.

The Criminal Law (Codification and Reform Act) Chapter 9:23, Section 140 Malicious damage to property reads: Any person who, knowing that another person is entitled to own, possess or control any property or realising that there is a real risk or possibility that another person may be so entitled, damages or destroys the property.
(a) intending to cause such damage or destruction; or
(b) realising that there is a real risk or possibility that such damage or destruction may result from his or her act or omission; shall be guilty of malicious damage to property, and liable to.
(i) a fine not exceeding level fourteen or not exceeding twice the value of the property damaged as a result of the crime, whichever is the greater; or
(ii) imprisonment for a period not exceeding twenty-five years;

AT 11am 300 members of Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) marched to Police Officers in Southampton House.  November 29th is Women Human Rights Defenders Day an appropriate day to deliver a letter of complaint about police harassment.

This protest is the second in respect of the 16 days of Activism against Gender Violence under the international theme: From Peace in the Home to Peace in the World: Let’s Challenge Militarism and End Violence against Women! But WOZA will use a shortened version – PEACE NOW!

As the 5 separate protests arrived on the pavement outside Southampton House, WOZA national coordinator Jenni Williams was arrested and moments later Programmes Coordinator Magodonga Mahlangu was arrested. Undeterred, the two leaders encouraged members to join them on the pavement. Once most members were present, the command to ‘sit and observe non violent discipline’ was chanted and members sat down. The arresting police officers quickly backed off to the door of Southampton House blocking entrance.

The activists then engaged police to request the Complaints Desk officer come downstairs to receive the letter of complaint.  Various police officers came back and forth trying to coerce Williams and Mahlangu to go into the building to deliver the letter but sensing a trap they declined. The letter of complaint calls on the Bulawayo Commanding Officers to investigate the behaviour of police officers on 13 November 2012. WOZA also call for the arrest of police officer Mukoshi and his colleagues who participated in this violence and perpetrated cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment inflicted on WOZA members. WOZA has given the police command 7 days to investigate this matter or they will take up the matter by other legal means.

Included in the 20 minute protest programme was speeches and testimonies by various members who had been beaten by police. Three of those beaten testified and described their injuries and the insults and abuse by police. A huge crowd gathered and bystanders also aired their sympathy and booed the police for insulting members for speaking isiNdebele language. In defiance of the unofficial ban of the Ndebele language, the activist only sang Ndebele songs: Thina silwela amalungelo (We are standing up for our rights) and Lamulela Amapholisa bayasitshaya (help us by intervening, the police are beating us)

At this time 2 more senior officers attended and said they could not accept the letter referring the activist to Bulawayo District Police chief based at Ross Camp. They ignored requests to receive the letter as they have done on several occasions. Williams and Mahlangu then requested their escort to Ross Camp several city blocks away but the two officers contradicted each other. Seeing the indecision, the two leaders announced that the procession would move to Ross camp.  The procession then reformed and began to march.

Along the route at the St Mary’s Roman Catholic Church and members decided to kneel and pray as they walked past. It was as they were kneeling that a truck of Riot police arrived and jumped from their vehicles beating several members kneeling in prayer. Serious injury was averted by the arrival of another senior officer who then insisted Williams and Mahlangu get into the van. However the junior officers refused to open the tail gate of the van and there was no female officer to assist the two into the vehicle. The senior officer then suggested that he wanted to drive only the two leaders to deliver their letter to the District Commanding Officer at Ross Camp.

Further pandemonium resulted as an overzealous officer then tried to arrest a young man and members had to surround him to prevent his victimization. Calm was then restored when the senior officer said he should be released and Williams was asked to calm the members down with the promise that no arrested would be made.

Williams and Mahlangu then asked the protest participants to sit quietly and await their return from the District Command Office. They were escorted into a police double cab but as they were pulling away the District Commanding Officer arrived and agreed to officially receive the letter of complaint and sign for it. Williams and Mahlangu then announced the end of the protest 45minutes after it started and members quietly walked to the Bus terminus without being disturbed.

After supervising this dispersal, Williams and Mahlangu then headed back to town to run some errands but this proved difficult as over 6 plain clothed officers followed them and monitored them, seemingly wanting to secure a late arrest. However Williams and Mahlangu managed to lose the officers and avoid further harassment.

Background note: In 1982 to 83, the North Koreans trained the Zimbabwe Army Fifth Brigade and they were deployed into Matabeleland and Midlands and perpetrated a massacre of mostly Ndebele speaking people who were perceived to support the opposition party of late Joshua Nkomo. This campaign was called Gukurahundi, a Shona language word meaning the first rains that wash away the rubbish. During those tragic years, the massacre went unreported as then primeminister Robert Mugabe was feted internationally. Mugabe has since owned up by calling the massacre a ‘moment of madness’. At present many of the 20000 people estimated to have been killed remain unaccounted for and their bodies have never been located.  complaint police harrasment to ZRP 13nov incident

WOZA delivered this petition to parliament on 19 September 2013 – the response was beatings with baton sticks and a 3 hour detention of 3 WOZA leaders, Williams, Mahlangu and Nyamanindi before police politely ‘showed the 3 the way out’!

The 21st September is celebrated the world over as a day of Peace. Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) members will also celebrate this day by presenting their peaceful demands to local and national Government. Our theme: PEACE must deliver FREEDOM and DEVELOPMENT for all!

WOZA members selected this theme as a way to explain to their political leadership that Zimbabweans cannot enjoy ‘peace’ in the absence of or without FREEDOM and DEVELOPMENT. Members have heard so many statements that there is peace in Zimbabwe, that elections were held in peace. It seems that there is too much showing off about PEACE that the word is becoming too cheaply used. The time has come for politicians to respect our right to genuine peace that comes with enjoyment of our freedoms and development. For too long these rights have been sanctioned or abused by politics. We want the sanctions to be lifted on our rights and we want an end to rule by politics and demand Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 20) Act be given a chance to rule. WOZA consulted members on their immediate demands to the new national and local governments and submit the following lists.

Service delivery DEMANDS to the new local government
1. Firstly we want to thank council for complying with the ministerial directive for 100% debt forgiveness.
2. We await road reconstruction and maintenance to reduce accidents, the President also promised infrastructure development.
3. More clinics and improved health including a better treatment by health care professionals in clinics and hospitals.
4. A more meaningful education system and a boost to the education facilities and decent salaries for teachers.
5. A consulted and genuine programme to ensure plentiful supply of affordable clean water.Proper Water and Electricity billing systems and the installation of water meters and prepaid meters in all houses.
6. Swift response to sewage bursts and blockages and repairing of trenches and sewer pipes. Provision of sanitary facilities such as clean public toilets.
7. Ensuring a clean environment through efficient and regular garbage collection service and provision of garbage bins. Council to conduct a serious clean up exercise in public places such as beer halls and bus terminuses.
8. Provision of decent housing for all and proper home ownership schemes in the older township communities.
9. We demand for stakeholder participation and consultative decision making in all budgets and equal employment opportunities without tribalism or political discrimination.
10. Provision of hawkers licenses and affordable license fees to vendors and tuck shop owners.
11. Council must introduce income generating projects such as clubs, gardening, sewing to help women to reduce poverty.
12. Repair dilapidated structures such as, community buildings and stadiums. The provision of recreational and training facilities for the youths to reduce criminal activities such as theft, drug and alcohol abuse. Maintenance of street and tower lights.
13. Lastly we want ZETDC to convene public hearings to explain why they are not implementing the political directive for 100% debt forgiveness.
DEMANDS for the new Government

1. An IMMEDIATE and public plan of action as to how parliament is going to undertake the harmonisation of laws to bring them into line with the new constitution. The Zanu PF manifesto can never replace our Constitution and so such talk must stop.
2. EMPOWEREMENT – Despite the spirit of gender equality in the new constitution, women are being actively sidelined out of national processes. Prove us wrong by publicising and implementing the affirmative action policy plan for women and the vulnerable and less privileged groups in society e.g. the elderly, widows, children, orphans and the disabled.
3. JOBS – publicise the policy plan for the creation of the promised employment. Starting with the resourcing and re-opening of Industries and creation of a climate for investment and cooperation of manufacturing our own goods so the scrap yards can become functioning business once again.
4. ECONOMIC RECOVERY – publicise a consulted economic recovery plan which includes attracting foreign investment. If there is a proper climate for genuine business partnership, investors will not mind a 49% shareholding. But threats of invasions will chase even the poorest investor. Indigenization programmes should be implemented with proper long-term planning and not theorized to make the elite more rich.
5. Provision of funding for the mining and agricultural sector to ensure increased productivity and food security to boost the economy
6. We demand fair and equitable distribution and management of community resources. If we are as rich a country as the President said they why are we so poor? Natural resources must belong to the local communities and they must see and understand where they have made profits and where there are losses. We demanded devolution of power in order to bring development to a community level and we still demand it.
7. Allow civic organizations to operate freely without fear and intimidation.
8. We demand an urgent plan of how free primary education and affordable secondary education promised in the constitution will be delivered by 2014.
9. A plan of action to end corrupt practices by all people, even those in political power positions.
10. Sufficient and attractive salaries for civil servants, doctors and nurses to avoid brain drain but full implementation that civil servants must not belong to any political party. We expect an audit of this soon and very soon.
11. Resourcing water pipeline projects in order to curb water shortages resulting in durable water supply. Research and feasibility studies for the construction of more dams necessary for all towns and cities.
12. A public plan of action as to how the police force will be transformed into a police service and the setting up of the independent police complaints mechanism as stated in the constitution.

Finally the 21 September 2013 marks the launch of the WOZA ‘mother your vote’ campaign. The vote cast on 31 July 2013 must be nurtured and cared for as a new born baby. It must be taught to sit, stand, walk and run. This child called ‘Vote’ cannot be neglected as the child called ‘Zimbabwe’ has been neglected. WOZA thinks of the new political leadership as the co-parents of our child ‘Vote’. WOZA members, the mothers of the nation, intend to keep reminding the political leadership that they have to be responsible and good parents. To do this WOZA members will play a game of TAG with the political leadership. Wikipedia explains the game called TAG as a game played that involves one or more players chasing other players in an attempt to “tag” or touch them or make them it! In the game some players always try to escape being touched or made ‘it’. Watchful WOZA members will be hoping to make the politicians ‘it’. Being made ‘it’ means you are playing your co-parenting role of our child called ‘Vote’. Politicians, including the Executive, Cabinet Ministers, MP’s, Senators, Councillors, please participate in giving ‘Vote’ a good life. This may be a game and we may be using it to make a friendly point but this game of TAG will be a very serious game.

WOZA calls on Zimbabweans to beat the drum of peace and development to break the silence on violence

WOZA joins the rest of the world’s activists in campaigning for an end to gender-based violence in the year 2013. To mark the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence, the organisation chose to look beyond the sphere of physical violence to consider the position of women in a society which perpetrates systemic violence and socio-economic disadvantage. Violence against women includes the range of abuses committed against women that stem from gender inequality and women’s subordinate status in society relative to men.

WOZA, an organisation of human rights defenders campaign against violence in all its forms all year long, but chose to march on women human rights defenders day 29 November 2013 to raise the profile of this special day. WOZA will march the same route they marched on this day in 2006 to launch their peoples charter. On this day over a hundred members were beaten and arrested, broken limbs of adults and a baby the brunt of police baton sticks.

To mobilise for this special day, WOZA conducted a survey amongst a total of 7 180 of its members, with 6 428 being women, to investigate their perceptions of women’s position in their communities. Special attention was paid on whether women’s economic status was improving or deteriorating. Members were asked to comment on a series of statements arrived at as a result of the discussion around the ZANU PF Elections theme, the “Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation (Zim Asset) and the continuing engendered analysis of development on how women were fulfilling their role in their homes and in society. Since the universal 16 Days of activism campaign calls for more substantial responses on the part of governments to act with due diligence in protecting and preventing gender-based violence, members were also required to give comments regarding benefits from government development programmes.

The results were clear. 81% of WOZA Harare and Bulawayo members do not believe that women are respected and do not believe that violence against them has ceased. 89% of member do not believe that they will be able to benefit from the ZANU PF’s indigenization policies, and 68,2% expressed that the police harassment and criminalization of women informal traders must stop for socio economic growth but many called for job creation as an alternative. All believed that women were working very hard to create food security for their families, but many noted that this was done against all odds. The vast majority believe the development situation in their communities had deteriorated. They do not believe that ZANU PF will implement the new constitution effectively.

The responses show great disillusionment with and distrust of government and a keen sense of the disadvantages felt by women in spite of their hard work to provide for their families. The scars that women bear today are not just a result of physical violence but are deep rooted in years of poor governance by the state, emotional and psychological manipulation in the home, community and workplace as well as deliberate marginalization of women in all spheres of life. It does not need to be physical violence for women to bear the scars of abuse. In a list of demands contained in the report, WOZA members demand Free primary education was promised, but children are still chased away from school due to non-payment of fees; A programme and funding plan for the better roads promised by the president in his inauguration speech and an initial position was taken against the proposed urban toll gate project. Members also demand land, inputs and to be shared equally among men and women and in a non partisan framework.

Moreover, women and youth are waiting for the re-opening of industries to create employment and the detailed plan as to how these firms will create 2 million jobs with a living wage as promised during campaigns. The same group of citizens demand income generating projects for women and these projects should be distributed in a non partisan system. The vulnerable and the disadvantaged in communities, such as the elderly, the orphans, disabled and widowed are still suffering and being made to complete food aid forms to no avail. WOZA members demand home ownership; city council should build homes for people and there should be transparency in the distribution of stands. Residents are tired of being lodgers and paying high rentals. Last but not least, they demand the ZimAsset programme to urgently provide affordable and nutritious home grown food and to put women first in all the ZimAsset implementation programmes WOZA made additionally recommendations on a number of premises that include devolution, activation of the constitution, working public institutions, community involvement, civic education, as well as justice and fairness.

See the full report on our website at the following link WOZA Report Zim beat the drum of peace and development to break the silence on violence

Bulawayo members of Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) selected Friday 13th February 2015 to conduct their 13th Valentine’s Day procession. At 245pm, two processions began, one in 9th Avenue and one in 14th Avenue. Both processions had over 550 members taking part and marching through the city to the Mhlahlandlela Government Complex to hand over a petition to the resident minister.

The protest was conducted under the theme – Demanding Dignity – Demanding Women’s Empowerment! The protest followed a civic education programme covering the constitution clauses on the right to earn a living. Members’ demands were written on placards and contained in the Woza Moya newsletter being distributed along with the traditional red roses.
The demands included the creation of jobs, a halt on the relocation of informal traders from Bulawayo city centre and the urgent convening of a country wide consultation to map a collective way forward on how to revamp the economy putting women and youth at the centre of the economic empowerment action plan.

Both protest groups arrived undisturbed at the government complex after a 20 minute march. The police officers in the vehicles merely watched and followed. Upon arrival at the complex, the security guards immediately locked the gate barring the two members due to deliver the demand entry. Undeterred the peaceful members began their Mhlahlandlela programme, singing their composed songs stating their demands and putting across their views. As the final stage of the programme was coming to an end, 15 anti riot police officers who had been dropped off a distance away arrived where the singing and slogan chanting members were located.

They made to surround those by the gates and started to push them away with baton sticks. WOZA leaders Jenni Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu both advised the police officers that the protest was now dispersing and asked them to allow for closing slogans for peaceful dispersing. Both were rudely told to shut up and get away, both were manhandled as they tried to stress that police officers were now causing disorder by prodding and threatening to beat members, by now many afraid and beginning to run away. The police officers continued to push the leaders and members down the road towards Herbert Chitepo Street.

As the front group reached this street, they made to turn left to go towards the bus terminus, anti riot officers ran and blocked them once again prodding and manhandling those trying to get to the terminus through this road. With no choice those in this forced procession, and then went towards 12th avenue hoping to once again take a route to the terminus, once again the police officers ran and blocked them. Now perplexed most members kept demanding where they should go and they were answered by baton sticks in the ribs or back respectively depending on which way they were facing.

A police twin cab showed up with an occupant obviously a high ranking officer, both Williams and Mahlangu went to ask him if he could make the orders clear but he ignored both with a stony demeanour. This officer was engaged repeatedly by WOZA leaders but he remained un-responsive and showed no obvious role as an officer sworn to uphold peace and order.

As the members now in some sort of a ‘forced procession’ continued to be shepherded out of town some police officers began to let on that they were pushing members to the industrial sites. Some police officers threatened that they were awaiting the arrival of a vehicle to take members to be dumped in Plumtree, a town 100 kilometres away. For several more city blocks the police officers blocked any exits, using baton sticks and threatening now numbering over 90 members. They refused to allow a slower pace or rest in the shade for anyone, even the elderly.

At the intersection of 15th avenue and H. Chitepo Street, the start of the industrial area, two members fainted. One member, Thabani Nyoni was beaten on her lower back and immediately fell down and was unconscious. The other member was quickly revived but Thabani spent over 10 minutes unconscious. When she came to she could not speak, an ambulance had to be called due to her condition. At this time some police officers had continued to push members for another 30 minutes deeper into the industrial area. Some members managed to stay behind with the unconscious members, until the ambulance had arrived and loaded up Thabani to take her to hospital.

After the ambulance left, 50 members marched back into the city in a final action of defiance exercising their right to protest. As they marched they sang ‘WOZA will never be killed’ right up to the bus terminus where they peacefully dispersed as had been the original plan. The police boss and 6 officers followed in the twin cab but made no further attempt to disrupt the march. As this final contingent came back through the route they had taken forced by police baton sticks, vendors and bystanders who had witnessed the first event clapped hands and ululated.

Five members had to receive medication for soft tissue bruising and Thabani was admitted to the emergency rooms and finally discharged two hours later.

WOZA leadership met on 16 February to discuss police behaviour during the protest. They resolved to write a formal letter of complaint to the police who did not follow their legal mandated procedure and allow member to peacefully disperse. Instead they used cruel , inhuman and degrading treatment forcing members out of town and using violent means to deprive them of their constitutional right to protest.

Since its formation, Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) has conducted over 200 demonstrations, peacefully marching on the streets to voice its displeasure with the political, economic, and social state of affairs in Zimbabwe. Most Zimbabweans chose to merely watch these protests from their various conform zones, some praised, many heckled us shouting gender insults.

However WOZA wish to commend the citizens of Zimbabwe for their unified response towards the call for a stay away and national shutdown. WOZA wish to commend the non-violent nature observed only to have their peaceful action disturbed by police brutality.

WOZA note the normal government propaganda manufacturing violence on the part of citizens whilst turning a blind eye towards state sponsored and promoted violence by police officers. It was apparent from one end of the country to the other end that police officers used brutal force to deny citizens the right to express themselves and speak out about their harsh daily existence and poverty manifesting and the message that enough is enough. Violence as usual was the weapon of choice for the regime foot soldiers wearing police uniform hiding behind their shields. Despite this the citizens of Zimbabwe still delivered their message enough is enough!

The contexts assisting citizens to find their voice and act on were informed by a variety of right violations including the passing of unjust laws such as statutory instrument 64 banning of food imports; shortage of cash necessary to allow purchasing power necessary to balance out the daily survival strategies. The State and President remain dumb on what happened to 15 billion United States dollars from diamond revenue but found resources and machinery to hunt down, beat and arrest children accused of looting biscuits and sugar.

Citizens are depraved of the right to peacefully confront the government, the right to demand the internationally guaranteed rights to expression, assembly, education, health and an adequate standard of living. Zimbabweans have the right to protest clearly stated in the constitution but instead they had to select the option of a stay at home. WOZA therefore call on citizens to continue to use peaceful and dignified ways to send their message and to participate to the fullest of their ability to keep their message un-spoilt by violence. But to build up their courage as they direct presence in peaceful protests will one day soon be necessary.

WOZA reminds the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) that their mandate is to protect citizens from violence and not to practice violence. WOZA remind the police, be they in uniform or wearing plain clothes that they are first and foremost citizens of this nation and as such they owe the people their full loyalty and support.

WOZA call upon citizens to be aware of the following:

1. To refuse to allow police officer to provoke us into violent responses
2. To refuse to allow police officers to indiscriminately arrest citizens – an injury to one is an injury to all citizens.
3. Please try to protect children from violence and do not put them in harm’s way. Do not allow police officers to occupy schools intimidating children’s as is currently the case in Bulawayo schools such as Insukamini Government School and the private high school Sizane.
4. Do not participate in looting of goods and vandalising of property – these are our buildings – our development.
5. Any police officers who conduct door to door harassment and throwing of tear gas in homes must be photographed and reported to Human Rights Commission
6. Please do not forward messages inciting violence as these messages belong to people trying to reduce our voice and lengthen our suffering?

Police officers have announced through their megaphones an unlawful curfew from 6am to 6pm and cancelled weekend school and premier soccer league games in Bulawayo. This is denying citizens their freedom of movement and recreation. WOZA is working with other civic society organisations to challenge this illegally imposed curfew in Bulawayo which is reminiscent of the Gukurahundi era. see WOZA Moya Newsletter Woza Moya on stayaway July 2016

Two members of Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) spent last night in Sakubva Police Station in Mutare. They were arrested yesterday morning during a meeting in the Mutare suburb.

A group of approximately 90 people had gathered in a bush clearing to discuss responsible behaviour when they were approached by 12 police officers. 20 members, eight men, 12 women and three babies were arrested in total and made to walk over a kilometre to Sakubva Police Station. During the march to the police station, several of the members were handcuffed.

At the police station, the group was denied access to their lawyer and also denied food. Some members were beaten. Police informed the group that as most were not carrying their national identification cards, they had broken the law and should pay fines. Without access to legal counsel to advise that this was inaccurate, most members believed they had no other option than to pay the fines and were released at 7pm.

The two that remain in custody refused to pay fines. It is expected that they will be charged under the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act and it is hoped that they will be taken to court this morning. There are fears that they may be kept in over the weekend however.

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.