Category Archives: Uncategorized

Harassment of WOZA members continues with court summons for Chikurubi 14

State harassment of human rights defenders in Zimbabwe continued this week when police attempted to serve summons to 14 activists arrested in May 2008. Only one member, Clara Manjengwa, received the summons to appear in Harare Magistrate’s Court today at 8.30am. When she presented herself at court, there was no docket, witnesses or any record of the matter being due to be heard. The police themselves were not even present. In fact the only evidence that a summons had been served was the copy that Clara herself had. Clara is still recovering from her most recent detention in Harare Central Police Station a few weeks ago and had to leave her sick bed to attend court. 

Instead of dismissing the matter out of hand, Prosecutor Chigota insisted on calling out the names of the 14 from Clara’s copy of the summons three times, despite it having been communicated that Clara was the only member to receive the summons. The matter was postponed to 11.30am to give time for the docket to be found. When at 11.30 the docket still had not been found and neither the Investigating Officer nor witnesses were present, Magistrate Munhamato Mutevedzi dismissed the matter. The state will have to proceed by way of summons when they have their case in order.

The 14 members had been arrested on 28th May 2008 near the Zambian Embassy in Harare, where they were to hand over a petition to the SADC chair calling for an end to post-election violence. 12 of the group spent 17 days in Chikurubi and Harare Remand Prisons after the state contested the Magistrate’s granting of bail.  Two members, Jenni Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu, spent 37 days in Chikurubi Prison before being granted bail. The group were charged under Section 37 (1) (c) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act – ‘participating in a gathering with the intent to promote public violence, a breach of the peace or bigotry’. After appearing in court on remand several times, the group was finally removed off remand on 15th October 2008.

WOZA condemns this attempt by the state to resurrect this case over two years later without any additional evidence as pure harassment of human rights defenders. It raises concerns of renewed violence and persecution of pro-democracy activists ahead of a possible election next year.

To read the request for remand, click here: Request for Remand – J. Williams and 13 others

Victory for courage in Bulawayo and 4 released 3 arrested

At 10am today, Monday 7 March, Women and Men of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) sprang an early International Women’s Day protest. As well as issues related to this special day, members wanted to protest the ongoing arrest and torture of members this last week. As protestors marched they issued a newsletter calling on SA president Jacob Zuma and SADC leaders to help us end the violence.

The five protests began from locations surrounding the High Court. Two of the protests managed to reach the 8th Avenue Court but three protests were dispersed by riot police and army. Three women have been arrested but have not been located at the police station by human rights lawyers. WOZA is concerned for their safety as police are hiding them. The three are Eneles Dube, Janet Dube and Selina Dube.

As Bulawayo awoke to heavy police and army presence in the city, WOZA leaders decided to reduce the protest to the bravest of the brave numbering 500 female and male members. Another strategy adopted was to conduct flash protests, (appear and disappear as soon as police arrive). Additionally, headlines from the daily newspapers revealed an unofficial ban of rally and protests.

Higher numbers of riot police were deployed at the previous target of WOZA protests – The Chronicle. However they quickly heard the loud singing and ran up several city blocks to respond. The song that carried a strong message – Kubi kubi siyaya – noma kunjani – besitshaya; besibopha; besidubula, siyaya. Roughly translated “the situation is bad but we will still get where we are going, even if the beats us, arrest us, or shoot to kill us, we will get there”. One police officer ordering one of the protests to disperse said – what rights are you talking about? – you are lying, you want to start a revolution!

After they dispersed the protests, about 40 uniformed and plain clothed police officers picked up every single placard and newsletter, exposing two of their colleagues who had tortured members. One police officer came across a man holding the placard. He asked the man to show him it and asked why he was writing on it. The man said he needs scrap paper to write something down. The officer took it and proceeded to carefully fold this A2 size placard into the smallest piece imaginable and put it in his pocket telling the man, holding such a thing is not allowed.

The protests taking place around International Women’s Day provide an opportunity to demand respect for Women’s rights and for peace in Zimbabwe. The theme adopted as part of the Constitutional reform process is ‘the rising of the women means the rising of the nation – No more poverty and starvation, many sweating for a few to benefit”.

After the dispersal of members, they did not go home but went straight to Tredgold court to await the appearance of their colleagues. Forcing a further deployment of Riot Police and plain clothed detectives to the remand court where the stalemate seemed to endure.

Over the last week, members have been arrested and tortured by police officers in Bulawayo. Seven members on Monday 28th February and 4 on Saturday 5th March 2011. The four currently in custody all have swollen faces and Nomsa Sibanda could not use her hands to hold her baby. At 10am they were due to attend court but for unknown reasons they had still not attended court by mid afternoon. At 4:30pm, the state refused to prosecute and released the four without them appearing in court to be officially charged.

WOZA and MOZA wish to send a stern message to the police force – there is no basis for a state of emergency in Zimbabwe be it official or unofficial.  According to the current constitution we have the right to protest and assembly peacefully. If they are wanting to declare a state of emergency they will have to justify it in law but the only people we see disturbing the peace are units of the Zimbabwe Republic Police, namely Riot squad, Police Internal Security Intelligence (PISI) like Mdawini, Law and Order detectives based at Bulawayo Central like George Levison Ngwenya. If they continue to arbitrarily arrest our members we will respond with more protests and expose those who commit torture.

WOZA leaders pay tribute to the courage of members who seeing the police and army all over could so easily have stayed at home but because of the pressure they brought to bear, their colleagues have walked away without charge when earlier in the week, their seven colleagues were being threatened with prison and had to pay for their freedom.

————————-  Text of the Woza Moya Newsletter
International Women’s Day 2011 Demand Dignity; Demand Development and begin your Affirmative Action for Development on 8 march 2011

A message from the World March of Women International Women’s voices and actions are important to the construction of people power, and on International Women’s Day we commit ourselves to struggle alongside our sisters to ensure their active participation in their country’s transition processes. One year on from the launch of our 3rd International Action, we – feminists and activists of the World March of Women – continue to march, resist and construct alternatives. We renew our commitment to organise collectively until all of us are free from the oppressions and discriminations that we face as women. We are committed to strengthening, consolidating and expanding our permanent movement around the world.

We continue to be challenged by the need to build and strengthen the links between our action areas – Violence against women, Peace and demilitarisation, the common good and public services, Women’s work – in our struggle for autonomy over our lives and bodies. The systematic use of violence against women as a weapon of war in these conflicts; the exploitation of women’s productive and reproductive work and of the environment in order to strengthen patriarchy and racism protect capitalism.

We take direct action to pressurise our governments to reduce military spending, we are saying “enough!” to the militarisation of our communities and societies. When we mobilise outside embassies, our international solidarity is translated into action on behalf of sisters who are imprisoned, tortured, raped and criminalised in other countries. When we are loud, visible and irreverent in the streets, we challenge the patriarchal system within which a woman’s “natural” space is the home and the family.

When we demand equal salaries for equal work and workers rights, we are struggling for fair working conditions for all sisters exploited in the globalised, capitalist system. When we resist false solutions to climate change; we are demonstrating that we not accept the destruction of peoples and of our planet while big business continues to pollute and destroy. When we mobilise we are showing that we refuse to accept the exploitation of the environment and of peoples in countries whose economy is dependant on the exportation of metals and minerals. In a globalised, free-market world, the patriarchal and capitalist systems are borderless, while peoples are controlled within confined spaces, or else forced to flee from their ancestral territories. We will not be silenced by bullets, bombs and aggression! The 8th March is a historic day of women’s struggle and we will once again be out in the streets in protest, in denouncement and in commemoration of victories to come in 2011!  Women on the March until we are All Free!

WOZA Statement on International Women’s Day 2011 As WOZA and MOZA members march their hearts are heavy. This last week our members, comrades and friends have been arrested for no clear reason. They were beaten and tortured in custody by police officers and Law and Order officers including Mdawini who is based at West Commonage police station and George Levison Ngwenya from Law and Order Bulawayo. These officers must learn to respect women’s rights, which are human rights. A police officer lifted up the dress of a member to expose her underwear for all other officers to see. We still remember late Maria Moyo who was abducted in August 2007 and tortured at Khami Dam. She died some days later. This Tuesday 1st March, George Levison Ngwenya cruelly showed a member her photograph and threatened to kill her the way late Maria was killed. It is this cruelty and hatred that must be stopped. As we march today, WOZA and MOZA members say, this our day to remind them of our rights and our need for peace and to demand that police and soldiers withdraw from the streets and allow us to live in peace. We call on SA president Jacob Zuma and SADC leaders to help us end the violence.

The RISING of the women means the RISING of the nation. No more poverty and starvation, many sweating for a few to benefit! As we go marching, marching, we struggle for men too – for they are women’s children and we mother them again! You strike a woman and you strike a rock!

Woza Moya February 2007 Valentine Edition

To all Zimbabweans from WOZA with love on Valentine’s Day 2007
THE PEOPLE’S CHARTER giving YOU a BETTER LIFE – a BETTER ZIMBABWE

When WOZA was formed in 2003, brave women responded to the call to come forward. They heard the word ‘woza’, opened their hearts and came forward to join a non-violent struggle. Five years later, the struggle for a better life, a better Zimbabwe still continues. Every day, women and men are still coming forward to join WOZA and are still willing to sacrifice to turn our dream of social justice into a reality.

On 29th November 2006, Zimbabweans joined hands in Bulawayo to launch the People’s Charter at Mhlalandlela Government Complex. On that day our hearts were filled with hope that the authorities would for once listen to our cries, accept the People’s Charter and together we would find a new Zimbabwe. Unfortunately on that day the blood of Zimbabweans was spilt as riot police brutally assaulted women and men, mothers, and their babies. Many are still receiving treatment. Those police officers will one day be judged. Two weeks later, members, some still nursing the bruises and injuries they received in Bulawayo, went to Harare on 12th December to deliver the People’s Charter to Parliament. We commend the police officers on duty that day for allowing WOZA the space to deliver the Charter to Parliament.

As we continue with the non-violent struggle we need more than ever the solidarity of Zimbabweans and friends in the Diaspora. We also call on all politicians and heads of organisations, both inside and outside Zimbabwe, to join hands with us to respect the wishes of Zimbabweans by endorsing the Charter and becoming ‘People’s Charter Champions’.

We remind members of the armed forces of Zimbabwe that they are our children and we love them enough to discipline them with our tough love. In 2007 it will no longer be acceptable to beat mothers and babies saying you were only following orders. Self-interest may feed your family for a day but we want your family to eat what and when they choose to eat forever. Freedom does not belong to a small group but should be enjoyed by every one – they must join us in demanding the promises of the liberation war.

Now as we plan for our fifth Valentines Day, we reflect on past themes and messages. In 2003 we asked Zimbabweans to learn to love again. “Say no to hate and violence in all its forms and yes to love. Love us, respect us and allow us to be women. Love us today and everyday.”

In 2004 we said, “our beloved Zimbabwe is crying – we must defend our right to love and let love overcome hate.” “The Power of Love can conquer the Love of Power” was our message in 2005. Last year we marched for ‘Bread and Roses’. Bread signifying the need for affordable basic commodities and roses signifying our need for dignity and the better things in life.

As we prepare to march for a BETTER LIFE – A BETTER ZIMBABWE, we salute the bravery of our comrades and Zimbabweans who need courage to survive every day in a country that has fallen apart. We send you lots of love and ask you keep hope burning in your hearts. We want to live a full life and not die heartbroken! It is said that Zimbabwe now has the lowest life expectancy in the world. Women are only expected to live to 34 and men to 37. Right now the hospitals are empty – there is no medication, nurses and doctors are on strike whilst the mortuaries are piled up with the bodies.

Together we must continue our work to demand that the dreams contained in the People’s Charter are realised – make sure you stand up to be counted! We ask you to join us – join your brothers and sisters who believe that a better Zimbabwe is possible. Join us in saying that LOVE can bring a brighter day.

DREAMING OF A NEW ZIMBABWE – THE PEOPLE’S CHARTER

Zimbabweans, united and resolute, announce:
That after 26 years of independence, the freedoms and equal opportunities we were promised have not been fulfilled;

The dreams we had of a good life – of dignity, comfort and security – have become nightmares. Zimbabweans must dream once again and turn their dreams into a living reality.

We must keep in mind, however, that we deserve better and we must not be afraid to believe that we have the right to a brighter future and we have the right to contribute to building it.

And therefore, we, the people of Zimbabwe, women, men and children, of all races, tribes and religions, come together with respect for each other and as equals to adopt this Charter, knowing that united we can deliver its possibilities;

And we undertake to work together with strength, courage and hope, until all Zimbabweans can live in a genuinely democratic country in peace and with dignity.

AS WE DREAM OF A NEW ZIMBABWE WE KNOW THAT NEED NEW LEADERS ……….

The Leaders We Want
All leaders shall be responsible, care for the people they serve and take their issues and problems to heart, taking action to develop their communities;

Leaders at all levels shall respect all people equally, listen to their concerns, consult them when making decisions and feedback to them;

Leaders shall understand that they will be held accountable and accept that the people who elected them have the right to criticise policy;

Leaders at all levels shall publicly renounce corruption and nepotism;

Traditional leaders (chiefs and headmen) shall not be chosen by politicians but by traditional methods. They shall be non-partisan and stay in the communities they serve, rather than sit in Parliament.

THESE NEW LEADERS MUST DELIVER ……….

Good Living
There will be enough food for everyone;

All basic commodities shall be available and affordable. If necessary, there shall be price controls to make sure that everyone has access to them;

Every person shall have access to decent, affordable housing. Rents shall be lowered and there shall be respect for property rights;

All areas, both urban and rural, shall have affordable access to the services necessary for safe, healthy living – clean water, proper sewerage and sanitation systems and refuse collection;

All areas, both urban and rural, shall have affordable, regular access to electricity;

There shall be a regular, affordable public transport system that provides adequate coverage of all areas of Zimbabwe. The elderly should be allowed free local travel;

The vulnerable in our society shall be protected; the elderly, widows, people living with HIV/AIDS, orphans and the disabled shall be properly cared for by the state;

All people shall have the right to rest, sports and recreation.

OR WE WILL DISMISS THEM ……….

Join us in holding ALL leaders accountable – TOGETHER we can get leaders who will give us a BETTER LIFE – A BETTER ZIMBABWE

Williams and Mahlangu granted bail

This morning, in a long-awaited bail hearing Justice Maphios Cheda of the Bulawayo High Court granted Jenni Williams and Magondonga Mahlangu bail on a surety of $200 each. The only condition is that they not interfere with any state witnesses. They have not been asked to surrender travel documents or even to report to the police. They will appear for remand on Thursday, October 6.

It is clear from this ruling that the judge did not take the case against them very seriously, and we wonder why it took so long for a bail hearing date to be set down. Was the state attempting simply to punish the two by arresting and holding them on flimsy charges, knowing that in fact they have committed no crime? If so, it would not be the first time this has happened. WOZA is dismayed that under the Government of National Unity such a perversion of justice continues, with elements of the Zimbabwe Republic Police and the justice system allowed to operate untrammelled without the slightest concern for the basic principles of law and human rights. We hope that there will be no further delays and they will be released promptly, as is their right.

WOZA would like to thank all those supporters who showed solidarity with Williams and Mahlangu through the past two weeks. Together we can promote a more democratic society in which rights are respected and social justice prevails.

ENDS

‘Power to the People’ campaign continues with a day of action in Bulawayo

Hundreds of members of Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) took part in peaceful street actions in 10 areas of Bulawayo today. The community-based demonstrations targeted local shops and businesses demanding affordable food on the shelves and an end to selling to cronies and the uniformed forces out the back door. The protestors also delivered an open letter to business owners and the ministers of Industry and Commerce and Home Affairs to demand meaningful economic reforms, rather than the unthinking slashing of prices. There have been no reports of arrests to date from any of the protests.

Men of Zimbabwe Arise (MOZA) then completed a morning of protest by marching for four blocksWOZA marches in Old Pumula for affordable food through central Bulawayo to TM Hypermarket with the same demands. This was MOZA’s first demonstration on their own. Plain-clothed police officers were seen collecting up the open letter after the protest and presumably it will be delivered through them to the respective ministers.

Activists targeted shops in Nkulumane 5, Mpopoma, Matshobana, Mabutweni, Njube, Nkulumane 12, Tshabalala, Pumula Old and North and Magwegwe. In the city centre MOZA targeted OK Bazaars and TM Hypermarket.

MOZA demonstrate at TM Hyper, central BulawayoThe open letter carried by the protestors outlined several demands to both businesses and government, including the request that government and the manufacturing sector should negotiate in good faith to find ways to produce more affordable food without compromising the living wage of workers; that the Price Control Task Force be reshuffled and be selected in a transparent manner and that government stop harassing shop owners and allow them to stock and trade freely and honestly at the price set. A copy of the open letter in full can be found below.

Children marching for Education

At 10am Tuesday 11 April 2017 Bulawayo based child members of Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) will march under the theme “Free Acceptable Education to Develop the Nation”.

The march will begin at the public library on the corner of 8th Avenue and Fort Street, proceed up towards Herbert Chitepo turning in toward the Mhlahlandlela Government Complex where they will hand over a petition. Over 200 child human rights defenders are expected to participate alongside 100 child mentors and Women Human Rights Defenders.

This march is a result of considerable civic education with child members since 2010 and forms part of WOZA ongoing campaigning for the full realisation of the right to education and the demand that the government of Zimbabwe fulfil its obligations to progressively realise this right.

The aim of the march is to provide children with a platform to freely express their views and opinions on matters that affect them; making them public knowledge for positive action to be taken.

Child participation is one of the core principles of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC); which asserts that children and young people have the right to freely express their views and that there is an obligation to listen to children’s views and facilitate their participation in all matters affecting their lives. The Constitution of Zimbabwe also provides for the right to participation in Section 61 – which states that “Children have the right to express themselves freely, and seek ideas and information” and in Section 81(1) (a) which puts emphasis on the right to be heard.

WOZA are known for civil disobedience protests since formation in 2002 but for this march, WOZA has formally invited the Zimbabwe Republic Police to the event and to participate alongside the human rights defenders. The Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission has also been invited to observe the peaceful procession in central Bulawayo.
see what the children have to say through poetry
Childrens POEMS for the march

Women and Men of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) » Contact us

Email: infaddr.gif

Post: WOZA/MOZA, P.O. Box FM701, Famona, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe 

Follow us @ www.twitter.com/wozazimbabwe

Follow us @ www.twitter.com/wozazimbabwe

 
Or become our friend on Facebook for regular updates

Or join us on Facebook for regular updates

How you can help
Whilst our activists are prepared to face beatings and arrests, they do so because they know that they are helping to make injustices visible and that the world is watching. When they are at risk, it is often the international solidarity that they receive that keeps them safe. Phoning or faxing police stations makes the police aware that they are being watched.

Providing solidarity to our activists is the best way you can help. We will keep you updated via this website when our members have been arrested and what help you can provide.

WOZA also has a solidarity group in the UK, which actively provides support and solidarity. If you are interested in finding out about what they do or in joining their mailing list, you can contact them at wozasolidarity2005@yahoo.com.

Arrest update June 10, 2008

The 13 WOZA women and one man are spending another night in custody in remand prisons in Harare.  The State’s appeal against bail awarded in the magistrates court May 30 was due to be heard today.

However, the State only filed their arguments late yesterday afternoon, which meant the ZLHR lawyer representing WOZA could only submit their arguments this morning. Judge Hlatshwayo said that he needed time to read them and postponed the hearing until tomorrow.  If the State’s case fails, the members should be  released tomorrow.

If it succeeds, WOZA will continue to press for their freedom.  They are being unjustly punished without trial for exercising their constitutionally guaranteed right to freedom of expression and assembly.

Request for remand for Jennifer Williams – May 2008

REQUEST FOR REMAND
Station: C.I.D. LAW AND ORDER HARARE Prosecutor’s Ref: C.R: 1695/05/2008
Section: C.I.D LAW AND ORDER HARARE. DR 08/5/08 C.R.B. No: 3883/2008
Investigating Officer: Mirimbo A. 043465T Prison No.
(Note: In the case of joint accused, all are to be included on same Request for Remand Form)

Section A
Accused: (full names, N.R/R.C., etc.) JENNIFFER WILLIAMS      Age: 46 yrs

Arrested (date) 28th MAY 2008 Time: 1200hrs

Section B
Offence(s) – COUNT 1. C/S 31(a) (1) of the Criminal Law (Codification & Reform) Act Chapter 9.23 “publishing or communicating false statements prejudicial to the state”
COUNT 2. C/S 30 of the Criminal Law (Codification & Reform) Act Chapter 9:23 “causing disaffection among police force or defence forces

Allegation(s) – On (date) 28TH MAY 2008 at (place) CORNER JULIUS NYERERE AND NKWAME NKHRUMA AVENUE, HARARE the accused (state what the accused did) – SEE ANNEXTURE-

Evidence (state facts linking accused to the commission of crime/offence, e.g. accused was found in possession of stolen , radio, etc)
1. THE ACCUSED PERSON ON BEING ARRESTED WAS FOUND IN POSSESSION OF THE REMINDER OF THE WOZA MOYA NEWSLETTER/FLYERS IN HER CUSTODY.
2. ACCUSED HAD BANNERS/PLACARDS AND IN THE COMPANY OF OTHERS WHO CAN TESTIFY THAT THE FLYERS (WOZA MOYA) BELONG TO THE ACCUSED PERSON.

3. VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBER AAQ 7338, A NISSAN PATROL WHICH ACCUSED WERE USINGWAS RECOVERED.
4. ACCUSED FOUND IN POSSESSION OF BANNERS, PLACARDS AND FLYERS
Value of property stolen/potential prejudice (Frauds, etc.) $………N/A…..Value of property recovered $…N/A

Bail – not opposed/opposed/on Police bail: Yes/No (If yes $ OPPOSED
Reasons for apposing bail are:
1. Accused has known record/previous conviction (state) YET TO BE CHECKED

2. Accused has pending cases at court (quote Station, C.R/CRB No.) BYO CENTRAL CR 1018/6/07 CRs 1018/06/04 AND CRB 310-2/07

3. Accused is likely to abscond (give reasons e.g. has no family, no house, etc) ACCUSED HAS VEHICLES, MEANS OF MOVING FROM ONE POINT TO ANOTHER WHILST EVADING POLICE AND ALSO TRAVEL DOCUMENTS TO LEAVE OR FLEE THE COUNTRY.

4. Accused is likely to interfere with evidence/witnesses (give reasons why you say so) WHEN THE ACCUSED WAS ARRESTED, SOME OF THER MEMBERS OF WOZA MANAGED TO ESCAPE WHILST IN POSSESSION OF THE COPIES OF THE WOZA MOY NEWSLETTER, EFFORTS TO LOCATE AND RECOVER THESE ARE UNDERWAY IF RELEASED, SHE IS LIKELY TO INTERFERE WITH PROCESS.

5. Accused is likely to commit other offences (give reasons): ACCUSED IS VERY ACTIVE LEADER OF THE WOZA, WITH THE APPROACHING PERIOD OF THE RUN OFF (ELECTIONS) SHE IS LIKELY TO KEEP ON DISTRIBUTING THE STATEMENTS AND THUS COMMIT THE SAME OFFENCES AS WELL AS OTHERS.

6. Any other reason(s): THE ACCUSED PERSON IS VERY INFLUENCIAL, SHE HAS GOT MANY SYMPATHISERS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY WHO HAVE GO SOME SAFE HOUSES. IF ACCUSED IS RELEASED, SHE IS LIKELY TO GO INTO HIDING AND IN THE SAME PROCESS EVADE POLICE.

Section D
Date investigation should be completed 16 June 2008 possible number of witnesses (8)
Date: 29/05/2008 Signature:…………………..(Rank) D/A/I………….(No.) 043465t
Checked: Officer/Member-In-Charge

Section E
Officer/Member-In-Charge
Z.R Police
…………………………………………………..

C.I.D. Law & Order Harare D.R. 08/05/2008 C.R.B. /08
Harare Central C.R. 1695/05/2008

ANNEXTURE OF ALLEGATIONS
Count One
C/S 31 (a) (i) of the CRIMINAL Law (Codification & Reform) Act 9:23 PUBLISHING OR COMMUNICATING FALSE STATEMENTS PREJUDICIAL TO THE STATE.
On the 28th May 2008 at the Corner of Kwame Nkhrumah Avenue and Julius Nyerere Way about 1200hrs, the accused person who is a leader of the Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) was arrested by police whilst carrying out a procession in which she was in possession of some flyers which she has been distributing in the street. In one of the WOZA Newsletter the message being communicated was “What is there to celebrate when Zimbabweans no longer have faith that their right to vote is respected? And we will ask them to face the fact that Mugabe as the leader of a so called ( liberation war party) has failed to deliver judicial justice. By refusing to release results timeously and unleashing violence on voters Mugabe has betrayed the one man vote ideal our heroes died for” statement s which are false and prejudicial to the State.

Count Two
C/S 30 of the Criminal Law (Codification & Reform) Act Chapter 9:23 “CAUSING DISAFFECTION AMONG POLICE FORCE or DEFENCE FORCES.
On being arrested as per count one above, the flyer which accused was in possession and distributing, the WOZA newsletter also on a paragraph numbered 5 was communicating the following statement/information “that the uniformed forces realise that there is no peace in the absence of justice. We ask them to respect that Zimbabweans have voted for change and refrain from being used to perpetrate violence and to carry out injustices. When change comes, and it will come, WOZA will demand in audit of the civil servants, including the uniformed forces. We, your neighbours in our communities, know you for the things that you do, both good and bad. We will remember. Hear us loud and clear – your leaders may get generous retirement packages but you will be left to face the justice of the law and the anger of the people. When you see us in the streets, we come in peace with love in our hearts and you have the choice to respond likewise and allow us to do our work as mothers of the nation. Good actions will also be remembered and rewarded.” This statement is likely to cause disaffection among the Police force or the Defence Force as it is likely to induce the members to withhold their services or to commit breaches of discipline whilst trying to confirm with accused’s statement.

Magistrate goes to workshop – delays bail ruling until Mon 27th Oct

Magistrate Charity Maphosa, who was due to rule on the bail application of WOZA leaders, Jenni Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu, today at 11.15am, was ‘forced’ to attend a workshop instead, delaying her judgement until Monday 27th October.

Williams and Mahlangu remain in Mlondolozi Female Prison where conditions are terrible. Cells are overcrowded and full of lice, food is extremely limited. Prisoners receive only a small amount of sadza (maize) with green vegetable cooked in water – no salt or any other form of nutrition. The lack of salt is particularly worrying given the extreme heat being experienced at the moment. Prison guards also routinely insult inmates.

As expected they were not in court as prison authorities had no transport to bring them to court. As on Tuesday however, the courtroom was full of state agents and WOZA members who had walked to town (some for up to 15km) to provide solidarity to Williams and Mahlangu.

On arriving at court, the defence lawyer, Kossam Ncube, was informed that Magistrate Maphosa was not available and that another magistrate would deliver her verdict. Instead Magistrate Sophie Matimba delayed the ruling until Monday at 11.15am.

Williams and Mahlangu were arrested over a week ago. Bail applications are usually heard on an urgent basis.

It is clear that the state aims to continue its harassment of these women human rights defenders; the actions of a regime so terrified of its own people that it has to imprison them.

SADC is meeting in Harare on Monday to discuss Zimbabwe’s future whilst human rights defenders languish in prison for calling for food aid. WOZA continues to urge its friends in the region and internationally to condemn this persecution of women who are simply determined to provide a better future for themselves and their children. Justice delayed is justice denied.

Useful telephone numbers:

Bulawayo Central Police Station: +263 9 72515/61706/63061/68078

Mlondolozi Prison: +263 9 64228

Bulawayo Attorney General’s Office: +263 9 77651/61603

Harare Attorney General’s Office: +263 4 781769/774586

Bulawayo Public Prosecutor: + 263 9 63173