SEVEN members arrested in Bulawayo on Wednesday 17th June appeared on remand in Bulawayo Magistrate’s Court  today. They had been due to appear on 7th October but had been further remanded as one of the accused was seriously ill at the time and could not appear earlier in the month.  As the state was still not prepared to bring the matter to trial, the group was due to be further remanded when defence lawyer, Kossam Ncube applied for them to be removed off remand. The magistrate will give her ruling on whether they should be removed off remand on Monday 26th October.

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

This evening the two WOZA leaders, Jenni williams and Magodonga Mahlangu, were released from Mlondolozi Prison, after being granted bail by a High Court judge earlier in the day. Both are in high spirits.

The release on bail does demonstrate that there are some vestiges of rationality within the Zimbabwean justice system in spite of widespread miscarriage of justice. It is our wish that these pockets of respect for the rule of law will gradually expand to take over the whole system so that all citizens may enjoy the rights to which they are entitled.

Meanwhile we welcome Jennni and Magondonga back to liberty and thank them for their courage and commitment and the sacrifice they have made for the benefitof us all.

Ends

FOLLOWING on from the 26 august 2015 protest to The Bulawayo Mayor and handing over of a yellow card, WOZA members in Harare have conducted a protest to the Minister of Local Government Honourable Saviour Kasukuwere. The 9th of September 12noon protest drew participation of 600 members.

Two protest groups converged at the Ministry of Local Governance located along Leopold Takawira Street and two members delivered the petition which was accepted by the Ministers Secretary. The protestors delivered their message through song – ‘vendor’s aramba’ (which means vendors have refused) and ‘Mavendor musawashungurudze’ (which means do not abuse vendors). As it traditional at WOZA protests, two prayer warriors led the prayers calling on Zimbabweans to respect the right to trade and called on divine intervention to stop the looting of vendor’s goods.

Members petitioned the Minister Saviour Kasukuwere his predecessor Minister Chombo is the one who began this human rights violation with orders for vendors to be forcefully removed. The petition included 11 demands and called on Minister Kasukuwere as follows:
“As women and mothers of this city, we ask that you work towards finding solutions that will cater for both the interests of the local authority and informal traders. Women have to put food on the table. They live at the sharp end of desperation seeing children’s faces showing hunger and this is what motivates them to try and find food. Vendors should not be persecuted for trying to feed their families. We expect you as our Minister to protect the rights of vendors and allow for peaceful trading. The issues we need to be addressed as we dialogue for a lasting solution include:
• City council collect vending fees and also allow Park Rite Africa to collect a second payment. Why did council mandate a parking company to collect weekly payments from vendors? We demand to have affordable standardised monthly fees which can be paid directly to the city council for transparency and accountability.
• We demand receipts for confiscated goods from all police officers seizing these – there must be transparency and accountability and no theft.
• We demand to know where looted goods are taken and the process to help us recover our goods. Vendors should be allowed to reclaim their goods. It is an injustice to give the first lady, Grace Mugabe confiscated goods for her political campaigns. Where is the justice for those affected by this looting?
• City council should have conducted an audit of stand allocation and one person; one stand
• Vendors should be allowed to trade undisturbed on a daily basis. Many vendors have their right to trade disturbed by party youth who come and force vendors to leave their stands and goods to attend party events. This violates their Constitutional freedom of assembly and association (chapter 4, section 58)

WOZA petition 9 Sept15

Take the Step Poster 1

In March last year, Zimbabweans displayed incredible courage and came out in large numbers to vote for change. Their action meant that Robert Mugabe and his ZANU PF party lost the elections. WOZA asked people to stand up for their child in 2008 and they did – the people of Zimbabwe took the step that was needed. It was not enough to carry us to the new Zimbabwe we dream of and voted for however.

Taking the Step in 2009
In 2009 Zimbabwe remains in the dark. Zimbabweans carry an even heavier burden and daily survival needs superhuman effort.

But WOZA realizes that we cannot keep complaining about how tough life is and DO nothing to change the situation!

If we want a better life, we need to do more than just complain. That is why at the beginning of 2009, WOZA is asking Zimbabweans to continue with the action that they took in March 2008.

This week Zimbabwe is supposed to get a new, inclusive government. After almost a year of no functioning government, we wait to see what they will do and hope that they will bring us the better life that we dream about. We look forward to having a government that will listen to people. But the inauguration of a unity government does not mean that we have achieved our goals or that life will immediately get better.

As Zimbabweans we cannot just sit back and wait quietly to see what this government will do. As citizens of this country, we have a right to say how we should be governed and what the priorities of the new government should be.

WOZA is therefore urging all Zimbabweans to stay focused on the dream of social justice for all – as outlined in WOZA’s People’s Charter. It is POSSIBLE to get to a new Zimbabwe. But we cannot give up before every child is in school and everyone has enough to eat. There is still a long road ahead and walking alone in the dark is tiring but it gets easier if you walk with others. If we let love light the way and walk together hand in hand, we can light the darkness and help our new government deliver the social justice we deserve.

Layitha ikhandlela libe linye kulokusola ubunyama – qhubeka
Baka kenduro rimwe panekusvora rima – yendera mberi
It is better to light a single candle than to complain about the darkness – take the step.

Take the Step Poster 2

Ayifuni mina, ifuna thina – qhubeka
Kwete ndega, asi tose – yendera mberi
Together we can light the darkness – take the step – join WOZA today

Take the Step poster 3

Uthando luthando nxa kulezenzo – qhubeka
Rudo rudo kana kune zviito – yendera mberi
Love means action – take the step – join WOZA today

Solidarity actions
To demonstrate love in action and to literally light the darkness, WOZA is giving Zimbabweans candles and matches as part of the campaign to encourage them to take the step of joining the movement.

Giving or lighting candles is therefore something that friends and supporters around the world could do to also be part of the movement.

WOZA is delighted to know that solidarity events are being planned in London, Canada and South Africa for Valentine’s Day this year. If you are interested in knowing more details of these actions, please email us at wozazimbabwe@yahoo.com and we will direct you to the appropriate group. Alternatively, you could always organize your own solidarity action with the women of Zimbabwe on Saturday 14th February 2009.

It has been established that five WOZA members and three journalists were arrested after six peaceful protests were violently broken up by police in Harare today. Four women, including Clara Manjengwa and Maria Majoni, remain in custody in Harare Central Police Station. One woman who had been arrested with her baby, and the three journalists, have been released.

The four women who remain in custody have all been badly beaten and are in severe pain. All had been processed to be taken to Parirenyatwa Hospital when Law and Order officers instructed that they were no longer allowed to receive medical treatment. The women’s lawyer, Beatrice Mtetwa, was informed by Law and Order officer, Mundondo, that is was because Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) had “stage-managed” the peaceful protests to embarrass the authorities during the visit of Amnesty International Secretary-General, Irene Khan. Ms Khan had been giving a press conference just prior to the start of the protests before leaving the country.

The peaceful protests had been held to commemorate International Refugee Day, held annually on 20th June. WOZA traditionally marks International Refugee Day as we believe Zimbabweans are refugees in their own country – displaced, unsettled and insecure. The aim of these peaceful protests in Bulawayo and Harare was to remind the inclusive government and the world that the people of Zimbabwean remain the victims of this crisis. ALL Zimbabweans deserve to enjoy the full rights of citizenship; amongst others, the right to earn a living, the right to personal security and the right to adequate shelter. The actions of the police in both Harare and Bulawayo, and Officer Mundondo in particular, are further evidence that the Zimbabwean authorities have no intention of treating Zimbabweans as citizens with rights and continue to act with impunity.

The three journalists, including one from the state-owned Herald newspaper, were arrested for covering the protests and the brutal beatings that ensued. When police established that one of the journalists was from The Herald, they tried to release only him. The other two (independent) journalists refused to accept this and all three were released without charge.

Having established that all four arrested members were in severe pain, defence lawyers arranged for them to be taken to hospital. The women had been processed to be taken and were informed that the delay was only due to waiting for an appropriate escort when police abruptly changed their mind – punishing the women for “embarrassing the state”. Ms Mtetwa was also warned that police are considering bringing charges against ZLHR for “stage-managing” the protests.

It is thought that the women are being charged with disturbing the peace – Section 37 1 a of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, despite the fact that WOZA leaders recently appealed these charges at the Supreme Court and had been informed that the charges do not apply to peaceful protest.

The members still in custody in Bulawayo are facing the same charges and are expected to be taken to court tomorrow morning.

Please phone Harare Central Police Station on +263 4 777777 to demand that the four women be released immediately so that may receive medical treatment. Ask Officer Mundondo why these innocent women are being punished for asking to be treated with dignity.

Jenni and Magodonga on their release from prison

At 10am this morning, 26 November 2010, Justice Garwe, the Supreme Court judge of appeals, handed down a ruling on the 2008 challenge taken by WOZA leaders, Jennifer Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu. The verbal ruling granted that the two women had been wrongfully arrested and detained and, as a result, had their rights and fundamental freedoms violated. Justice Garwe also ruled that the state had failed to protect the activists from this abuse. The application for a repealing of section 37 (1) (a) (i) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act was dismissed and reason will be made available.

Williams and Mahlangu were arrested on 16 October 2008 at the Mhlahlandlela Government Complex after a peaceful protest to demand that all Zimbabweans be provided with access to humanitarian aid. At that time there was widespread starvation and no food on the shelves and government had banned humanitarian aid. They were arrested and detained in Bulawayo Central Police Station and taken to court two days later charged under C/S 37 (1) (a) (i) of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act Chapter 9:23: “Acting together with one or more other persons with him/her in any place realizing that there is a real risk or possibility of disturbing peace, security or order of the public”.

They were denied bail and sent first to Grey Street Prison and then to Mlondolozi Prison where they were held for three weeks. A successful High Court appeal granted them their freedom although initially restricting them to a 40km radius of their homes.

Williams and Mahlangu eagerly wait to have sight of the written ruling and to be able to prepare for a legal suit against the police for wrongful arrest and for damages.

This evening the two WOZA leaders, Jenni williams and Magodonga Mahlangu, were released from Mlondolozi Prison, after being granted bail by a High Court judge earlier in the day.  Both are in high spirits.

The release on bail does demonstrate that there are some vestiges of rationality within the Zimbabwean justice system in spite of widespread miscarriage of justice.  It is our wish that these pockets of respect for the rule of law will gradually expand to take over the whole system so that all citizens may enjoy the rights to which they are entitled. 

Meanwhile we welcome Jennni and Magondonga back to liberty and thank them for their courage and commitment and the sacrifice they have made for the benefitof us all.

Ends

At 12pm today, hundreds of members of WOZA and MOZA marched through the city of Bulawayo. Representatives from Harare, Mutare, Masvingo and rural Insiza joined local members to demand ‘peace – not piecemeal amendments.’

The group of singing protestors marched from near St Mary’s Cathedral, pausing outside to send messages of solidarity to Bishop Pius Ncube, whose courageous outspokenness against human rights abuses in Zimbabwe have often made him a target of the State. The group then progressed several blocks to Southampton House, the location of the Police Licensing Inspectorate, the office that receives and processes applications for peaceful gatherings.

Several hundred members proceeded to sit down peacefully on the pavement outside Southampton House to await arrest, which was not long coming. Three armed police officers escorted a group of approximately 200 into the building where they still remain.

Human rights lawyers are in attendance. Two mothers with babies that had also been arrested have been released.

One young member that is known to police was separated from the others and taken by uniformed police officers to Drill Hall where she was questioned on why she had been talking to Magodonga Mahlangu, one of the WOZA leaders. After being made to do several push-ups, she was released.

The protest comes two days after an all-stakeholders meeting with civic society and citizens was held in Bulawayo to deliberate on the implications of Constitutional Amendment Number 18 and the SADC-led mediation between the ruling ZANU PF and opposition MDC parties. The outcome of that conference was a complete rejection of piecemeal amendments to the current constitution and a renewed demand for a new, democratic and people-driven constitution-making process as the foundation for resolving the crisis in Zimbabwe.

WOZA, as frontline women human rights defenders that have often been on the receiving end of police brutality for having the audacity to claim their constitutional rights of freedom of expression and assembly, are also demanding an end to violence as a prerequisite to any meaningful change. See ‘10 Steps to a New Zimbabwe’; WOZA’s position on the mediation efforts, available on this website.

More information will be made available as it emerges.

WOZA’s lawyers have finally been given a hearing in their appeal to the High Court against Magistrate Charity Maphosa denying Jenni Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu bail. The matter will be heard before Judge Ndou at 2.30pm this afternoon, 5th November. Despite it being an urgent application, the High Court has taken over a week to give a hearing date.

In the meantime, worrying reports have been received from Mlondolozi that Jenni and Magodonga have been separated and that Magodonga has been put in the same cell as mental health patients. As well as serving as a remand prison, Mlondolozi also houses convicted prisoners and mental health patients that have committed crimes. The apparent cause of this separation is that prison authorities believe the pair to be homosexual because Jenni was observed massaging medicated gel into the injuries Magodonga received when she was beaten.

The four WOZA women arrested in Harare yesterday have been released on bail. The badly injured activists appeared in Harare Magistrate’s Court this morning. After an initial argument by the state that they should be denied bail, the women were released on bail of USD 10 each and remanded out of custody to 2nd July. Their defence lawyer, Harrison Nkomo, applied for, and was granted, an order for the police to explain the injuries that all four women sustained. They are currently receiving medical attention.

In Bulawayo, the seven members that have spent the last two nights in police custody appeared in Bulawayo Magistrate’s this morning. The state, through the investigating officer, Moyo, has spent all morning arguing that they should be denied bail until Jenni Williams’ arrest has been secured. The state is arguing that Williams should be charged as an organiser because of remarks that she made at a public meeting last week that WOZA would roll out peaceful protests until all Zimbabweans receive social justice. The magistrate is due to give her ruling on the bail application this afternoon.