At noon today, approximately 1,000 members of WOZA and MOZA marched through central Bulawayo to mark the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence. The peaceful protest also commemorated the anniversary of the 29 November launch of the People’s Charter last year where hundreds of members were brutally assaulted by riot police at Mhlahlandlela. The late Maria Moyo, who was holding the banner that fateful day last November and who recently passed away after the trauma of being abducted by police, was also in the minds and hearts of members today.

The peaceful group processed for four blocks from the High Court to Mhlahlandlela Government Complex, singing and chanting slogans. Despite the serious occasion, there was almost a carnival atmosphere with exuberant dancing and enthusiastic handing out of flyers to passersby. At Mhlahlandlela, the singing group was approached by two police officers, including the Officer Commanding of Bulawayo Central Police Station, Sithole. He informed them that they were too early to mark the 16 Days as the official government launch is only taking place tomorrow, 28th November, and that they should come back then. He then instructed the group to disperse.

Happy to have received an invitation to return to the streets by a police officer, the group obliged. They were escorted by uniformed police officers to the closest taxi terminus to ensure that everyone left peacefully however. Riot police also attended the scene but there have been no reports of arrests to date.

WOZA is pleased that our brothers and sisters in the police chose to respect the rights of WOZA members to demonstrate peacefully today and hope that this behaviour will continue in the future. We remember however that they have not always been so understanding but know that they also want the social justice contained in the People’s Charter and so encourage them to continue to side with their fellow citizens.

MIRIRA MWANA WAKO

Zvesarudzo zvakauya zvikapera saka veWOZA varikuda kuongorora avo vemuno muZimbabwe nedzira yavakanovota nemoyo murefu kwavaka zvipamidza vakamirira vekuZEC kuthi vaite zvinuzvavo zvakanaka. Viki rapera kusisina zwakapuda musarudzo, vekuZEC varikuderera moyo yedu mirefu. Vamwe vedu takano vota tichiziva kuti zvichapuda musarudzo yedu zvichabiwa. Ma poritidzhieni varikungotukana Zimbabwe ichitsva. Kana uchiverenga izvi, funga mwana wako nezvawaimudira kuti aveneupenyu wakanaka. Funga kuti vana vako varikuyiteyi. Varikudzidza zvakanaka here kuchikoro kana varikurara ne maka yokuti hakuna vadzidzisi? Vaka rainira mvura kana varikutema huni? Kana varikure kunedzimwenyika? Ndiyo mangwana  wayinge uchivarotera here? Kana zvakabuda musarudzo zvakangobatirirwa, kuchagara kusina vatongi vatsva negutsaruzhinji ratinoda. Kuswikira rini takangomirira zvapuda musarudzo isu takotoona kwatakavhotera kuti takavhotera mutsauko. Viki rakapera, vanu vakanovota kuti vataure asi matauriro edu hasi kundzvika. Nasi izuva reku mira nerunyararo tichi cheukidza veku ZEC nemaporitizhieni kuti ISU, vavoti, ndisu varidzi vevhoti atimbo vumi kuti vangonyarara vasingatinzvi. Ngavanyare zvatakasarudza tichiyisa X.

Mwana asinga chemi anofira mumbereko.

MWANA WAKO AKATARISIRA IWEWE KUTI UMIRE NEKUNYARARA KUTI UDZIVIRIRE SARUDZO YAKO NEKU SUNUNGURA KUBUDA KWESARUDZO YAKO.

Nasi izuva rekuti tirambe takamira nekuda kutongwa kwevanhu kwakanaka.

Sarudzo yedu muviki rakapera yange irimwe ndzira yekuyeuchidza vatongi vedu kuti tirikuda gutsaruzhinji, inovumira kuti vanhu vose vawane ,mikana yakayenzana pakunzvanana kwevanhu, paupfumi wenyika, remekedzo rwedzimwe ndudzi, zvitendero, pasina basa kuti varungu, vatema, vanababa kana vanamai, vakapfuma, vasina, kana panezvose zvekubatirira vanhu.

Izvi ndizvo zvange tichifungidzira patakano sarudza vatongi vedu.  Tirikuda vatongi vacha kuridzira izvi:

·    Kugutsikana nemakodzero mutsika, nemagariro, zvematongerwo enyika, zvehupfumi
·    Mikana yakayenzana munzvimbo dzatinogara nemikana yakayenzana muvanhurume nevanhukadzi kuyenzana kwemarudzi akasiyana
·    Kuremekedza kodzero dzevanhu zvikuru kodzero dzevanhukadzi nevana
·    Rusununguko mukutaura zwaunoda, kusangana nekuwirirana newawunoda
·    Remekedzo rwedzimwe ndudzi nezvitendero zvevanhu
·    Kubuda pachena pane zvese zvavarikuita nekukwanisa kupindura mivunzo zvinogutsa.
·    Mikana yakayenzana munezvematongerwo enyika nezvehupfumi
·    Wese aparamhosva anofanirwa kutongwa pangasingatariswe kuti ndiani – uye mikana mukutongwa kunoenzana nekunzwisisa mutemo
·    Gachiriro yezviyitiko zvakayitika kare zvashunguradza vanhu zvakayita seGukurahundi neMurambatsvina
·    Gutsaruzhinji
·    Kuve nemukana wekuwana dzidzo
·    Kuve nemukana wekuwana kudya kwakakwana
·    Kuve nemukana wekuwana dzimba, magetsi, chimbudzi nemvura yakachena
·    Kunge tichirapwawo muzvipatara nemari dziripasi uyezve kuwana mishonga nemaARV’s
·    Mikana yakayenzana mukugoviwa kwevhu nezvokurimisa
·    Mikana yakayenzana munezvemabasa zvekuzvibatsira nehupfumi nekodzero yako yekunge uchiwana mari inokuraramisa
·    Kuva ne zvivakwa nezvifambiso zvisingadhure
·    Kushandiswa kwezviwanikwa zvedu ngakuite kuti zviwanikwa zvedu zvekurarama nekusingaperi

Sevana vemuZimbabwe tinofanirwa kuwana kutongwa kwakanaka kwevanhu kwatinogara tichizvitaura, asi tichazviwana kana takazvigadzirira kuramba takamira tichivaudza vatongi vedu zvatinoda isusu. Ngatitangei nasi.

Iyi ndiyo nguva yokusimba wakamirira mangwana yemwana wako

The four women and one man arrested in Harare yesterday remain in custody at Harare Central Police Station. The docket has been handed over to the Law and Order department. Although the boss has confirmed receiving the docket, he has not yet assigned an investigating officer. Human rights lawyer, Alec Muchedahama attended this morning and was asked to return at 2pm. At 2pm, no one was able to attend to him. At this time there is no progress on what charges are being proffered and no sign of them being processed to appear in court. The 48 hours allowed by law will expire on Friday at 10:30 am.

Muchedahama briefly saw his clients and they advised him that riot police assaulted them all when they were arrested at the Ministry of Education offices. Members present at the protest also confirm hearing the riot police singing another song, ‘tinoda hondo’ (we want war).

In the meantime, WOZA leaders, Jenni Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu appeared in Bulawayo Magistrate’s Court today. They face charges under the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act with disturbing the peace for a 16 October 2008 arrest and under the Miscellaneous Offences Act (which was replaced in 2006) with breaching the peace for a 2004 case. There were remanded out of custody to 5th March 2009.

Defence lawyer, Kossam Ncube, also took the opportunity to file an appeal against the Magistrate’s ruling from the 28th January in which she refused to quash the charges against Williams and Mahlangu.

State witnesses, including a high-ranking superintendent, were present and were asked to return on 5th March; the Magistrate taking time to apologise to them for any inconvenience caused.

When the pair appeared on 28 January 2009, the Magistrate had refused to quash charges despite a factual argument from the defence. She had insisted the trial proceed there and then. The defence had asked for time to prepare, and was promptly denied. With no alternative, the defence lawyer had appealed to the High Court to overrule the Magistrate’s refusal to allow time to prepare for trial. The
Magistrate, on receiving a copy of the appeal, had ruled that the case could not proceed until the High Court ruled on the matter. At the time of the hearing today, no decision had been received by the High Court so it should have been a simple matter of remanding the matter to another date pending a ruling.

It was therefore a total disregard for due process to hear the prosecutor, Lovemore Chifamba state that the trial would begin today. Expressing dismay at the prosecutor’s actions, the defence lawyer
argued that the Magistrate could not proceed to trial as she would be in effect overruling herself and sitting in appeal of her own ruling of 28 January 2009. Faced with standing by her ruling and remanding the activists to a date months away, she decided to adjourn the court for two hours. Upon her return the state had put a second prosecutor, Mr Moyo at the bar. The Magistrate then mumbled that in light of the submissions, she would postpone the matter by one week.

During the adjournment, the defence lawyer was summoned to see the Attorney General’s representative, Mrs Cheda, who attempted to put pressure on the lawyer to participate in ‘fast tracking’ the appeal to the High Court so that the trial could go ahead. The fact that this was presupposing any ruling would go the way of the state was lost on them in their haste to take Williams and Mahlangu to trial. The lawyer declined to be put under pressure.

The farce parading as ‘justice’ continues on 5th March 2009 and could result in the High Court being forced to fast track this case over other backlogged cases and the trial being forced through. WOZA has a case from 2004 still waiting for a ruling in the High Court.

It should not be overlooked that Williams and Mahlangu were peacefully demanding that the food emergency be declared a national disaster and the Attorney General’s Office’s enthusiasm for fast-tracking trials would be more appropriate for those cases which have been pending for
years and in which the accused persons are in custody, as the state has no money to feed them.

Over 1,000 members of Women and Men of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA/MOZA) marched through the streets of Bulawayo today to articulate their demands to the power-sharing government. They chose to protest today as the first 100 days in office draws to a close. The protest started at four different locations, converging on Mhlahlandlela Government Complex. There have been no arrests reported at the time of this release.

The song sung by the peaceful protesters rang out through the streets of Bulawayo – ‘We are not scared to reveal failures of this inclusive government, boboza (expose it’).

Two protests began earlier than scheduled as members were eager to start. On arriving at the government complex, they handed over their list of demands and placards to the guards at the gate before sitting down to await the arrival of the rest of the participants. Bystanders were amazed to note the peaceful women and men arriving in waves and join each other seated in at the complex. Many followed the protestors to receive the newsletter outlining WOZA’s demands and to observe the spectacle. Five thousand copies of the newsletter were distributed during the four processions; all were grabbed by eager bystanders, not a single one remaining to litter the streets. People reading the list of demands were heard to be debating the content as the demonstration went by.

10 police officers came out of the Police Drill Hall as members sang their songs at the complex but they just watched and then moved off, going about their business. There were many police officers around the four starting points but they did not take action other than to call or radio in that a protest was underway. At one location, police officers were heard commenting that WOZA should not have allowed the 100 days to elapse before demonstrating. A man in plain clothes was overheard telling the civil servants at the gate, “these women are helping you.”

After the peaceful group had disbursed, a police vehicle with two officers arrived and were seen leaving with placards and copies of the newsletter left with the guards at the gate. Some placards read, ‘restore the rule of law’, ‘provide social welfare’ and ‘fix the education system’.

The protest and the list of demands handed over to the government complex today follows wide consultations with members in Bulawayo and across the country. WOZA has been conducting meetings and workshops preparing members to hold the power-sharing government accountable for the promises they make. This has been part of the Take the Step campaign, designed to encourage Zimbabweans to continue with the civic participation that they demonstrated in March 2008.

As part of our campaigning we have been reminding people to look beyond the words and promises – ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS. As we march today, government should get the message loud and clear – enough talking, more doing. We have been patient for long enough.

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Ukuphupha iZimbabwe Entsha
Amalungelo Avunywe Alotshwa Ngabantu

AmaZimbabwe, elokubambana lokuzimisela ngenhliziyo yonke, ayamemeza:

• Ukuthi ngemva kweminyaka engamatshumi amabili lesithupha (26) sithole uzibuse, inkululeko lamathuba alinganayo esasiwathenjisiwe lokhe singakawatholi;
• Amaphupho esasilawo enhlalakahle – ukuzotha, induduzo, lokuvikelwa – sephenduke kwabangamaphupho amabi. Izizalwane zeZimbabwe kumele ziphuphe futhi, njalo zenze amaphupho azo afezeke;
• Kumele sihlale sizazi ukuthi sifanelwe ngokungcono njalo singabi lokwesaba sikholwe ukuthi silelungelo lekusasa enhle njalo silelungelo lokuphatheka ekufezeni lokhu.
• Thina abantu beZimbabwe amakhosikazi, abesilisa labantwana, kugoqela yonke imbala, imihlobo lenkolo ezitshiyeneyo, sizandawonye sihloniphana njalo silingana samukela amalungelo avunywe alotshwa ngabantu phansi, siyazi ukuthi uma simanyene engafezeka;
• Sizasebenza ndawonye ngamandla, ngesibindi lethemba ukuze izizalwane zeZimbabwe zithole umbuso okhululekileyo, ukuthula lokuzotha ngempela.

Sonke Sizaba Lokukhululeka Njalo Lokulingana

• Wonke amaZimbabwe azabalokulingana, kungakhethelekile ukuthi ungowesifazane kumbe ungowesilisa, kumbe uyisigoga, umbala kumbe udabuka ngaphi kumbe ungumhlobo bani. Amalungelo abomama labantwana kumele aqakathekiswe njalo avikelwe;
• Sizafundiswa ngamalungelo lenkululeko alotshwe kusisekelo sombuso wethu lemthetho yomhlaba wonke jikelele; njalo sizawakholisa sikhululeke;
• Sizaba lenkululeko ekubuthaneni, lekuqoqeni, lekukhulumeni imbono yethu singela kwesaba lokwethuselwa.

Ukuphatheka Kwabantu Kwezombusazwe

• Abantu bazaziswa njalo bakhuthazwe ukuthi baphatheke ngokugcweleyo kundlela zonke zokuphatha ilizwe lekuqhubeni amalungelo abo njengezizalwane;
• Wonke umuntu ozelwe eZimbabwe uzavunyelwa ukuba yisizalwane selizwe, incwadi zokuzalwa, izithupha kanye lencwadi zokuhambisa kwamanye amazwe kuzatholakala kalula kuzizalwane zonke;
• Abantu bazakhululeka ukukhetha inkokheli abazifunayo kungela kwesaba lokwethuselwa. Inkokheli kuzibanga zonke zizakhethwa kukhetho olukhululekileyo kungela kuqilibezelwa;
• Amakhosikazi kumele akhuthazwe ukuthi babe ngabakhokheli ukuze kube lokulingana kwabesifazana labesilisa;
• Kuzaba lequla elizimele lodwa elizaphatha libone ngokuqhutshwa kwenhlelo zokhetho njalo ukhetho luzaba lenhloli ezingasekeli hlangothi, abavela phakathi laphandle kwelizwe;
• Abantu bazakhululeka ukukhetha ibandla lezombangazwe abalifunayo njalo bengasoze babandlululwe ngokusekela lelobandla;
• Zonke ingatsha, izisebenzi zikahulumende, amapholisa lamabutho, azisoze zingenele kwezombangazwe kodwa zizagcwalisa izifiso zikazulu.

Inkokheli Esizifunayo

• Zonke inkokheli zizabalomlandu, wokunakekela abantu ababakhokhelayo njalo bafake udaba lenhlupho zabantu enhlizweni njalo benze okungathuthukisa isigaba;
• Inkokheli kuwo wonke amabanga zizahlonipha abantu bonke ngokulinganayo, balalele izikhalazo zabo, bazwe imbono yabo nxa besenza izinqumo njalo babuye lempumela ebantwini;
• Inkokheli kumele zazi ukuthi zizabalomlandu njalo zamukele ukuthi abantu ababakhethileyo balelungelo lokuchothoza imithetho kumbe indlela abasebenza ngayo;
• Inkokheli kuwo wonke amabanga kumele emphakathini batsho ukuthi bazahlukana lenkohlakalo lokukhethana ngobuhlobo;
• Induna labosobhuku akumelanga bakhethwe ngabezombangazwe kodwa bakhethwe ngesiko. Akumelanga basekele amabandla ezombangazwe. Kumele bahlale ezigabeni abazikhokhelayo, kulokuthi bahlale ePhalamende.

Ukulunga Emthethweni

• Kuzakuba lesisekelo sombuso esitsha esilotshwe ngabantu beZimbabwe singesabantu beZimbabwe;
• Imithetho yonke engalunganga njalo encindezela okumqoka kunkululeko yabantu izakwesulwa;
• Umthetho uzasebenza njenjomthetho njalo akula loyedwa ozabanga phezulu komthetho welizwe. Wonke umuntu uzaba lethuba elilinganayo ukufinyelela lokuphathwa ngokulunga kwezomthetho; abephuli bomthetho bazalandelwa, betheswe icala njalo bazajeziswe, kungela kuthi ngowaliphi ibandla lombangazwe;
• Abomthethwandaba bazasebenza bengala hlangothi njalo bengamelanga ezombangazwe, bazinikele ukuphakamisa imithetho njalo bakhulise umkhuba wokulunga;
• Izibotshwa zizaphathwa ngendlela elobuntu, bagcinwe endaweni ezilobuntu njalo bazathola imfundiso yokuthi bangahlala njani labanye abantu kanye lokuzinceda empilweni zabo. Izibotshwa ezingaphansi kweminyaka elitshumi lasitshiyangalombili (18) azisoze ziphathwe njengabantu abadala ngamapholisa, emthethwandaba kumbe entolongweni.

Umhlabathi Lo Ngumhlabathi Wethu

• Uhlelo lokwabiwa komhlabathi kumele luqalise kutsha njalo kumele kuphiwe umuntu wonke ngokulinganayo kungela bandlululo lwemihlobo kumbe ukuthi ungowesifazana kumbe wesilisa – uphiwe abazawusebenzisa ngendlela ukuze kube yinzuzo yelizwe;
• Amalungelo okuba ngumnini wempahla azahlonitshwa;
• Umhlabathi kumele uphiwe abantu abazawusebenzisa ngendlela efaneleyo okuzanceda amaZimbabwe wonke kube lencwadi etshengisela ukuba umhlabathi ngowakhe;
• Abalimi bazancediswa ngemali langempahla yokusebenzisa ukuze ukulima kube lula njalo kube lesivuno esihle;
• Abalimi bazathola intengo ehambelana lezilimo zabo ekuthengiseni njalo bazavunyelwa ukuthenga lokuthengisa abakufunayo bekhululekile.

Umnotho Lengqubela Phambili

• Uhulumende uzenza ngazo zonke indlela ukuthuthukisa izizwe ngokulinganayo emadolobheni lemaphandleni okugoqela izakhiwo eziletha ingqubelaphambili;
• Uhulumende uzakhuthaza indlela zokuhuga abazasungula amabhizimusi azadala imisebenzi njalo akhusele intuthuko kuzizalwane zeZimbabwe;
• Uhulumende uzenza ngamandla akhe wonke ukuthi amise ukwehla kwesisindo sedola ngokukhusela inzuzo;
• Izizalwane zeZimbabwe zifuna indlela ebalulekileyo njalo ebasuthisayo kwezemithelo njalo kube lengcazelo ukuthi imthelo yabo isebenza njani;
• Uhulumende uzazinikela ngeqiniso ekuqedeni inkohlakalo njalo engayiyekeli iqhubeke ibhidliza ezomnotho;
• Imali yethu kumele ibe ngeyoqobo ukuze ibelesisindo.

Ilungelo Lokuziphilisa

• Umuntu wonke uzakuba lelungelo lokuziphilisa ukuze abe lesithunzi angaphili ngokukhangezwa ukuze aphile;
• Kuzakuba lemisebenzi eyaneleyo, lezindlela zokusebenza ezizothileyo njalo leholo elingenelisa ukuthi umuntu aphile njalo kungabi lokwehlukana kweholo kumsebenzi munye;
• Kuzakuba lokutholakala koncedo lokuqalisa inhlelo zokuziphilisa, ikakhulu kulutsha labafelwakazi;
• Abantu bazavunyelwa ukuthengisa lokuthenga; incwadi zokuthengisa njalo lendawo zokuthengisela zizaphiwa abantu ngokulinganayo;

Inhlalakahle

• Kuzaba lokudla okwanele wonke umuntu;
• Zonke izinto ezifuneka empilweni zabantu mihla ngemihla zizatholakala njalo zizathengeka; nxa kusenza; kumele kube lohlelo oluhlolisisa ngentengo ukuze wonke umuntu enelise ukuthenga;
• Wonke umuntu uzenelisa ukuthola indawo yokuhlala elohlonzi njalo elentengo ayenelisayo, imbadalo yezindlu izakwehliswa lamalungelo okuba umniniwo azahlonitshwa;
• Indawo zonke zemadolobheni lemakhaya zizenelisa ukuthola uncedo olwamanzi ahlanzekileyo, lezempilakahle lokubuthwa kwezibi okuvikelekileyo;
• Zonke izindawo emadolobheni lasemakhaya zizenelisa ukuthola amagetsi ngentengo eneliswa nguzulu;
• Kuzakuba lendlela zokuhambisa ezaneleyo kuzo zonke izindawo zeZimbabwe. Asebekhulile (amaxhegu lezalukazi) bazavunyelwa ukugada kungela mbadalo lapho abahlezi khona;
• Abantu abangenelisi ukuziphilisa ezigabeni bazanakekelwa amaxhegu lezalukazi, abafelokazi labaphila belegcikwane leHIV/AIDS, intandane kanye lezigoga bazanakekelwa nguhulumende ngokugcweleyo;
• Bonke abantu bazakuba lelungelo lokuphumula, lemidlalo njalo lokuzilibazisa.

Ukufundisa Isizwe

• Umntwana wonke uzathola imfundo ngokulinganayo kungelabandlululo. Labo abangenelisiyo bazancediswa;
• Imfundo yogatsha lwaphansi (primary education) ayisoze ibe lembadalo lemfundo yogatsha lwaphezulu (secondary education) izakweneliswa ngumuntu wonke njengesithembiso sika 1980;
• Izifundi zonke zizathola imfundo elohlonzi, bazafundela ezindlini – kuzabalezingwalo, amatafula, lezinto zonke ezifunekayo esikolo;
• Kuzaba lababalisi abaqeqetshileyo abazimiseleyo ukufundisa isizukulwane esizayo. Kumele sibahloniphe ngokuzinikela kwabo emsebenzini bathole iholo elihambelana lomsebenzi wabo;

Sifuna Impilakahle

• Umuntu wonke uzathola ukwelatshwa ngentengo ephansi njalo eyaneliswa nguzulu wonke weZimbabwe;
• Izibhedlela lama clinic kuzakuba lemithi lemitshina layo yonke impahla eyaneleyo;
• Labo abaphila legcikwane leHIV/AIDS bazathola imithi (ARVs). Abangelamali zokuthenga bazaphiwa kungela mbadalo njalo nxa kudingakala, bangazuza uncedo lokudla kungela mbadalo;
• Asebekhulile (amaxhegu lezalukazi) bazakwelatshwa lokuthola imithi kungela mbadalo;
• Kuzakuba labomongikazi labo dokotela abafundele umsebenzi labazinikeleyo bephathe kuhle abantu; kumele sihloniphe ukuzinikela kwabo emsebenzini bathole iholo elihambelana lomsebenzi wabo;
• Abantu kumele bavunyelwe ukufa okulesithunzi, indleko zokungcwaba kumele zaneliswe nguzulu.

Ukuqhutshwa Kwembiko

• Kuzakuba lemisakazo ezimeleyo, amaphephandaba labomabona kude okuzaletha imbiko eqondileyo;
• Kuzakuba lokubhalwa kwendaba ezimqoka ezingasekeli hlangothi. Zonke inhlangothi zombangazwe zigoqelwe ngokulinganayo.

Akugobo lingeqondiswe

• Kuzakuba lokuxolisa kwalabo ababalesandla kuGukurahundi njalo kube lokuchaza obala ukuthi bakwenzelani;
• Abasindayo kuGukurahundi lemuli zalabo ‘abanyamalalayo’ kumele bathole inhlawulo;
• Izimbiza ezathathwa eNjelele eMatopo kweleMandebeleni kumele zibiselwe. Lokhu kwayenziwa yikuswelakala kwenhlonipho. Kumele kube lokuxolisana okugcweleyo;
• Abalahlekelwa ngesikhathi soMurambatsvina kumele bathole izindlu abazithenjiswayo njalo kumele bathole inhlawulo;
• Abakhokheli abahuquluza inotho yelizwe ngenkohlakalo kumele bahanjiswe emthethwandaba.

Ukuhlonipha Amasiko

• Umuntu wonke uzakuba lelungelo elilinganayo ekukhulumeni ngolimi lwakhe lokuzalwa lokunanza usiko lwakhe lomthetho wakibo;
• Izizalwane zeZimbabwe, ikakhulu abasakhulayo, kumele bafundiswe amasiko lemilayo yabo leyabanye. Ukwenzela ukuthi kube lenhlonitshwa kwamasiko wonke.

Ukuthula Lobungane

• Izizalwane zeZimbabwe ngomdabuko ngabantu abalobudlelwano labanye –Asitshengisele ubudlelwano lamazwe esakhelane lawo, kumkhono weAfrica lomhlaba wonke jikelele. Ukuze basincedise ukwakha ilizwe lethu leZimbabwe.

Bonke abathanda iZimbabwe abasixhase ekufezeni injongo yokuqondiswa kwamagobo kwezenhlalakahle lokuzothisa uzulu ngempela.

Eight members Grace Moyo, Stella Chivunge, Sikhangezile Sibanda, and Simangaliphi Msimanga, 16yr old Cecelia Ncube, Siboniso Siziba, Miriam Moyo, and Memory Matandare arrested on 24 May 2011 appeared in Western Commonage Magistrate Court on the 15th of August 2011. The Magistrate Themba Chimiso ruled that the state must withdraw the charges before plea. This followed an application by the defence team from Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights challenging the charges.

The accused were charged with two counts: 1. Intentional engaging in a disorderly or riotous conduct as defined in section 41(a) of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act 9:23. Alternatively Encumbering or obstructing the free passage along any street, road, throughfare, sidewalk or pavements as defined in section 46(2)(f) of the Criminal law codification and Reform act.

Lawyers Lizwe Jamela and Nosimilo Chanayiwa cited a Supreme Court ruling obtained by WOZA leaders Williams and Mahlangu for a 2008 protest related arrest.  Lawyers argued that the charges were similar to the section 37 (1) a (1) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, the subject of the Supreme Court ruling. As a result of this ruling, it followed that WOZA members should not be arrested under similar conditions as they infringe on their constitutional right to freedom of expression and freedom of assembly, section 20(1) and 21(1) of the Constitution.  This argument rendered the Prosecutor D. Ndebele dumb and he had no option but to withdraw the charges before plea and record this in the docket. The members, including a 3 month old baby Rejoice had spent a night in custody.  They were arrested during a peaceful protest in the Pumula suburb of Bulawayo at their local Electricity supply office demanding a decent electricity service. WOZA members were conducting a ‘power to poor people’ campaign targeting the Zimbabwe Electricity company which has a monopoly and overcharges its service.

Six members accused of writing messages about the poor electricity service appeared in Tredgold Magistrates Court, Bulawayo on 18th of August 2011. The six members, Janet Dube and 5 others were in the dock for most of the morning facing Trial.  The Trial is being heard by Magistrate Roselyn Dube and the state prosecutor is Jeremiah Mutsindikwa. They are defended by Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, Lizwe Jamela and Nosimilo Chanayiwa.   They are charged with contravening section 140 of Criminal Law (Codification and Reform Act) Chapter 9:23, malicious damage to property. The property being the tar road connecting the Pelandaba to the City centre.

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; Two police officers who arrested the accused gave evidence. Shepherd Sipili and Lawrence Chademana’s evidence seemed to contradict their own written statements. They admitted arresting Sibekezele and Therezia, saying the other accused could have been arrested by other officers who were not in court. The trial will continue on the 1st of September where the Engineer Lengama Douglas Ncube from City Council must explain how he calculated the USD 349 damage apparently caused by the women’s graffiti. The six women were arrested on Wednesday 18 May 2011 by armed police officers. During their detention they were denied access to food and  lawyers, split up and help in inhumane conditions in suburban police stations and held for longer that the 48 hours allowed by law. WOZA would like to thank Jamela and Nosimilo Chanayiwa of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human rights for delivering a legal victory for the Pumula members and look forward to another victory for the six accused of writing ‘power to poor people’.

“This year, the International Day of Peace takes on special meaning. This is the year we also mark the sixtieth anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. We know that human rights are essential to peace… There is so much to unite around on this International Day of Peace. I call on world leaders and peoples around the world to join forces against conflict, poverty and hunger, and for all human rights for all.” United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon

21 September is the International Day of Peace OUR THEME: ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS
We want ACTION; we want a new GOVERNMENT that will deliver food, electricity and water NOW. Mothers of the Nation, ARISE and demand a liveable peace for yourselves and your children.

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WOZA has consulted members on their views about the ‘Deal‘, which we shall hereafter refer to as the ‘document’, because at the moment it is just a document – full of promise but for the moment words without meaning. As we commemorate International Day of Peace, we await news of the implementation of the power-sharing agreement signed by ZANU PF and the two MDC formations. According to article 25 of the document, it was supposed to enter into force immediately after it was signed. We expected parliament to have been called and a new government to already be working to address our urgent needs – but nothing has happened to date despite the fact that it was signed on 15 September, the first United Nations International Day of Democracy.

There have been conflicting opinions and media reports on how and when a new government will be formed. There is still an air of uncertainty about how it will work. There are delays in resolving these issues, and the provisions of the agreement will not be legally binding until they have been translated into constitutional amendments or changes in existing legislation.

As to the content of the document, we are waiting to see if they were serious when they wrote this sentence: “to build a democratic and just, inclusive society free of fear, violence, patronage, corruption and to ensure a better life for all Zimbabweans.

We note with interest the issues highlighted in the document – calls for an end to violence, respect for human rights and freedoms of expression and assembly, economic and social justice, security sector reform, constitutional reforms and national healing. Issues that WOZA members have been beaten and arrested for demanding.

We also await the day when there are fair and just courts to prosecute perpetrators when they are charged. See Article 18.5 (c) that the Government shall apply the laws of the country fully and impartially in bringing all perpetrators of politically motivated violence to book.

Whilst we welcome the constant references to gender equality, we recognise that these references are an attempt to silence our criticism that we were left out as women and their views were not represented at the negotiating table. We wait to see if they actually implement all the gender equality they talk about.

The only mention that Zimbabwe faces economic problems is contained in Paragraph 5, in which the parties commit themselves to “arresting the fall in living standards and reversing the decline of our economy”. During this crisis we have seen wealth owned by the Zimbabwean people looted and resources sold cheaply to others. We are concerned that the spirit of the document is phrased to allow the political leadership of ZANU to get off the hook. The wording gives too much importance to the ZANU PF propaganda and lies about the cause of economic decay being ‘western imperialists’ and their ‘sanctions’. The document is therefore based on a false picture. Much of the blame belongs to the ZANU PF ruling elite, they have looted our wealth and even today, they are stealing the food out of our mouths.

We are a traumatised nation urgently in need of national healing. The first step will be to see the perpetrators of violence being arrested and charged. We, mothers of the nation, lived through the Lancaster House ceasefire, which did not deliver the promises of the liberation war. There was no national healing programme. We lived through the massacres in Matabeleland and Midlands leading to the 1987 Unity Deal, which swallowed the opposition ZAPU and disgraced the ideal of one-man-one-vote. There was still no justice and national healing.

This time, we cannot allow Mugabe, Tsvangirai and Mutambara to get away without a full consultative programme of national healing and justice and delivering on the promises in the document. There is a saying – once bitten, twice shy – will this happen again?

We would like to renew our call to the uniformed forces to realise that there is no peace in the absence of justice. Respect the agreement and refrain from being used to perpetrate violence and to carry out injustices. 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. We will also be watching to see what actions the police will take when we conduct our demonstrations.

Mahatma Ghandi advises us: “You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty.”

WOZA is therefore confident that Zimbabweans, through a coordinated campaign by civic groups, churches and unions, will fully participate in a national healing programme. We will also fully participate in mobilising for a people-driven constitutional process and implementation. The agreement provides an opportunity for our demands in our People’s Charter to be addressed, so that the nation can enjoy social justice. WOZA members are fully committed to making the dream of a new Zimbabwe into a living reality.

The Agreement also promises:

“a shared determination to uphold, defend and sustain … national unity… a nation where all citizens respect and, therefore, enjoy equal protection of the law and have equal opportunity to compete and prosper in all spheres of life.”

“our shared commitment to re-orient our attitudes towards respect for the Constitution and all national laws, the rule of law, observance of Zimbabwe’s national institutions, symbols and national events.”

“the rights of all Zimbabweans regardless of political affiliation to benefit from and participate in all national programmes and events freely without let or hindrance.”

“accepting and acknowledging that the values of justice, fairness, openness, tolerance, equality, non-discrimination and respect of all persons without regard to race, class, gender, ethnicity, language, religion, political opinion, place of origin or birth are the bedrock of our democracy and good governance.”

“a society free of violence, fear, intimidation, hatred, patronage, corruption and founded on justice, fairness, openness, transparency, dignity and equality.”

“the historical obligation and need to reach a solution that will allow us to put Zimbabwe first and give the people a genuine chance of rebuilding and reconstructing their livelihoods.”

“7.1:c) shall give consideration to the setting up of a mechanism to properly advise on what measures might be necessary and practicable to achieve national healing, cohesion and unity in respect of victims of pre and post independence political conflicts.”

“12: undertake training programmes, workshops and meetings for the police and other enforcement agencies directed at the appreciation of the right of freedom of assembly and association and the proper interpretation, understanding and application of the provisions of security legislation.”

14: call upon traditional leaders not to engage in partisan political activities at national level as well as in their communities.”

16: In times of need, every Zimbabwean regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, political affiliation and religion is entitled to request and receive humanitarian and food assistance from the State.”

“18: Gravely concerned by the displacement of scores of people after the election of March 29, 2008 as a result of politically motivated violence…”

It is these words that made us choose our theme: ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS We want ACTION; we want a new GOVERNMENT that will deliver FOOD, ELECTRICITY and WATER NOW. Mothers of the Nation, ARISE and demand a liveable peace for yourselves and your children.

Woza Moya – WOZA

The four women and one man arrested in Harare on Wednesday finally appeared in Harare Magistrate’s Court this morning on charges under Section 37 (1) (a) (i) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act – “disturbing the peace, security or order of the public”. They were released on bail of US $50 each by Magistrate Olivia Mariga and remanded out of custody to 19th March. They also have to report to their nearest police station every Friday. The state prosecutor also tried to insist on an early trial but the docket was not ready. They were brought to court by plain-clothed officer, Phiri.

The investigating officer Detective Sergeant Kahora is the man responsible for ensuring that the group were unlawfully detained, spending six days in custody, well over the 48-hours allowed for by law.

WOZA would like to salute the courage and determination of these parents in enduring beatings, arrest and detention in horrific conditions to ensure that their concerns about their children’s education were brought to the attention of the Minister of Education. The extended and unlawful detention, the extortionate bail demanded and the reporting conditions imposed also show that the inception of an unity government has done nothing to change the way democracy and social justice activists are treated by a hostile and repressive state.

ONE thousand five hundred Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) members participated in peacefully marching to hand over a list of demands to local and national government on Thursday 19th in Harare and in Bulawayo on Friday 20th September. These peaceful protests were met with the arrest and brief detention of nine members, and over 30 members are nursing wounds inflicted with police baton sticks. Ten of these members had to be taken for medical attention and 3 underwent X-rays to verify level of injury. WOZA leaders, Jenni Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu were arrested on both days in both protests.

The consultation to determine key demands took place as the new cabinet and council began to take oath and begin to work. After compilation of these views, WOZA leaders then planned the launch protests to coincide with the United Nations declared International Day of Peace commemorated on 21st September. Over ten thousand members provided their demands for WOZA to submit and follow up in terms of lobby and advocacy engagement.

WOZA has commemorated International Day of Peace in preceding years, however this year, WOZA members wanted to bring a deeper understanding of the kind of peace required as it has been a word too cheaply used in the last year. WOZA decided on peaceful protest as the means to launch their demands so as to test the new government and police commitment to new constitutional clauses. A test failed by 100 percent.

The 600 members marching in two formations, found it hard to start their procession as police officers quickly beat them. The few who managed to regroup and marched to the Parliament of Zimbabwe found that police officers still blocked access to parliament and did not respect member’s right to petition. When the activists tried to disperse, orders barked in the Shona language to ‘bata munhu’ (grab that person) resulted in violent use of force to arrest three WOZA leaders curtailing their right to assembly outlined in the new constitution. As Magodonga Mahlangu tried to climb over the closed tail gate of the police Landrover. She asked for it to be opened so she could better enter the gate and the response from the senior ranking officer was to bark the order for them to ‘kanda munhu’ (beat the person). Police officers then beat her on her head and back further defeating her attempt to climb in. When she objected four police officers roughly picked her up handling her all over her body and threw her into the vehicle.

For the next 3 hours, the drama shifted to the Harare Central police station. The trio were repeatedly asked why they had been arrested and different police departments refused to ‘process’ the trio for formal charges or detention. Most of the blame was heaped on the police reaction group who had arrested the trio without considering if any offense had indeed been committed. After a tour of several offices and hours of waiting, a law and order police officer politely asked the activists and their two lawyers to accompany him. Arriving at the front entrance of the station, he merely pointing outside and said please go.

In Bulawayo the 10 am protest at the offices of The Chronicle newspaper in 9th Avenue was the venue for over 1000 WOZA members. Marching in 10 different formations all converged at the public media outlet and sang songs and chanted slogans in line with the objective of describing the kind of peace needed in Zimbabwe. As the protest program was coming to an end, the police reaction group swooped trying to beat members causing chaos. WOZA leaders managed to pull the members back to the Chronicle entrance trying to calm members down so as to disperse the protest peacefully. As the protest was dispersing some police officers demanded the members sit back down. Senior officers then attended and contradicted this order causing more chaos and delaying the protest dispersal. As Jenni Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu tried to explain to the senior officers that their junior officers had blocked the dispersing process by threatening to beat anyone who did not sit down, an order was given for Jenni Williams’s arrest. Magodonga Mahlangu and 4 other members then got into the police vehicle and hundreds of members followed to the police station.

As had happened in Harare, the activists arrival at the police station brought a contradiction. The officer commanding Bulawayo Central Chief Inspector Musvuti said he had merely wanted to discuss with Williams the need for WOZA to apply for permission to conduct a protest. Although the Chief Inspector now seemed to be genuine about engagement, Williams refused to allow the meeting to continue citing the forceful manner she had been brought to the station and the scenes of police violence visible from the Chief inspectors office balcony. The hundreds of members, who had followed the arrested leaders, had thronged the vicinity of the police station and were being beaten with over 50 police officers indiscriminately wielding their baton sticks. One member collector Mutete was violent beaten on the head and pushed in front of an oncoming vehicle by and officer who shouted in the Shona language ‘uraya munhu’ (kill that person). In a clear case of gender discrimination, police commanders had stationed two groups of police officers at the road corners and their task to ban the free movement of any woman to the police station entrance.

The majority of bystanders applauded both protests. In Bulawayo a man was overheard commenting. “Amapholisa kawekele omama laba abakwenzayo kuhle kakhulu. Akakho olesibindi sokutshela uHulumende ngesikufunayo, yekela basikhulumele (The police force should leave these women because what they are doing is good. No one is brave enough to tell the Government about our demands, let them do it for us)

WOZA recognize that it is positive that the police have not charged or detained in police cells members arrested during the last five protests. It is unfortunate that despite this positive development, the police reaction group continue to beat and arrest members casually bringing them to the police station and presenting them for detention. WOZA call for the urgent retraining of members of the police reaction group in respecting human and constitutional rights when dealing with crowd control situations. WOZA call on police command to audit the methods under which orders flow through command channels and on too many occasions orders and contradictions as officers seek to throw their superior power and egos around.

WOZA declare their peace day campaign a victory. Many police officers took time to read the Woza Moya (Come Holy Spirit) newsletter reflecting the demands and the placard messages. The Police officers will have discovered a very relevant demand for ‘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.’

The two activists are still in custody at Sakubva Police Station and it looks possible that they will have to remain in custody over the weekend. Attempts to have them taken to court and released have been foiled by Prosecutor Mutyamaenza who demanded a bribe to release them.

The Officer-in-Charge of Sakubva Police Station has also denied the activists access to their lawyer and food for a second day.

Please call Prosecutor Mutyamaenza on +263 20 64611 to demand that he order the police to proceed by way of summons.

Please also call Sakubva Police Station on +263 20 64212, 64717 or 63145 or the officer-in-charge directly on +263 20 60902 to demand the release of the two women