31 July 2013 Situation Room Press Statement – 2pm
Voting Issues (voting irregularities, voter integrity, identification issues)
I. Special Voting issues-Chief Assembly Polling Station, Umguza: About 400—500 uniformed and plain clothes police in queues as special voters, possible intimidation and slowing down process
II. Gwanda Ward 1: Police in the queue but do not appear on voter’s roll
III. Stanley Hall and St. Patricks Primary School: Separate queues for Special Voters, slowing down the voting process.
IV. Voters Registration identity details appearing in more than 1 ward’s voters’ roll, thus risks of double voting
V. Registered Voters turned away for various reasons; not appearing on the voters’ roll among other issues. Magwegwe Creche most registered voters were turned away for not appearing on the voters’ roll, issue resolved at around 0900hrs
VI. Inkuba Pry School in Nkayi North, voting proceeding but no means to check Special Voters and Ink detector without batteries
VII. KoDlamini, Mbuhulu, Tsholotsho 100 people voted by 1000hrs; 4 people turned away, 1 registered in another ward and the other 3 without proof of registration.

ZEC staffing Issues
I. Unverified: Umguza Ward 19 Nyamandlovu Primary school, polling officers teaching people to vote behind the polling booth
II. Voting very slow at Mhali Primary School with one copy of Voters’ Roll and voters are surprised at the number of elderly people in the queue who have not brought their own assistants thus having to be assisted, Mazwi primary school in Magwegwe and Paddonhurst Centre.

Polling Station Administration (opening/closing times)
I. Hlangabeza Secondary Sch, Nkayi South: Ink has not yet arrived, voting not yet started as at 0900hrs
II. Number 1 Iminyela Polling Station, Ward 12 Helemu Primary School opened were delayed, Pelandaba Hall opened at 7.30am, Makokoba opened at 7.15am at JB Shopping Centre.
III. Sengezane polling station in Gwanda central – ballot boxes and ballot booths were not on site by 6.30am.
IV. Ntepe, Gwanda central ward 14 no ballot boxes at polling station at 6am
V. Polling stations varying in terms of lengths of queues. Some polling stations with long queues some with short queues within the same constituency. (issue of inadequate advertising of polling stations)
VI. Datata primary school in ward 2 Gwanda – police officer inside polling station at 7.43am.
VII. There are two voting points at Amhlophe high school and polling station opened at 7.30am. 6 police officers outside polling station.
VIII. Filabusi primary school polling station opened late at 7.30am.
IX. Newton West at Jocks supermarket polling station. First person to vote at 7.20am.
X. Lighting in Tents: Northend and Tshabalala Extension, Joks Tent in Newton West – it is dark inside the tent.

Security Issues (intimidation issues, harassments, fear and tension)
I. Many polling stations report police officer inside the polling stations, e.g Datata Pry Sch in Gwanda, Ward 2, Bulawayo Ingubo Pry Sch A, Ward 2
Positive Issues
I. Nkankezi primary school polling station in lobengula ward 14 opened at 7am. Ballot papers were there by 7am. All party polling agents present. Polling officials 95 men and 5 women)
II. Magwegwe ward 29 opened at 7am.
III. Elderly people being assisted by people of their choice

Other Issues
I. Posters within 50m radius of polling stations, e.g Ntshamathe Pry, @ 0715 posters not yet removed from about 50m from polling station gate. Insiza beer garden posters were removed after 7.00am under police supervision.
II. Council Candidates for Gwanda ward 1 and ward 10 reportedly denied time to analyze voters’ roll on the 30th of July, 2013
III. Some political parties with more than one agent in each polling station, e.g. in a polling station in Nketa, 3 agents requested two to be inside and one to be ‘turned’ into an observer.

Members of Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) have refused to participate in the government dictated school pledge programme.

Members, adults and child human rights defenders met on 30 April and 1st May 2016 and shared knowledge of what school officials instructed children and their parents to do at close of the last school term.

Members resolved to refuse to participate and will refuse to give their consent to their children’s participation on the following basis.
1. There was no consultation of themselves or their school development association representatives.
2. The wording of the pledge is problematic to christians even if it is paraphrased from the preamble of the Constitution.
3. To sequence the saying of the pledge immediately following the Lord’s prayer borders on blasphemy.
4. To force children to therefore make a pledge or oath violates many sections of the Zimbabwean Constitution.
4. WOZA is a movement of nonviolent human rights defenders who believe in democratic solutions to develop Zimbabwe. Forcing children to salute the flag militarises and brainwashes them and such an act should not be allowed by any responsible parent.

WOZA members views are captured in the attached newsletter and members commit to the included plan of action. WOZA Moya April 2016 I wont Pledge

Members of WOZA and MOZA held four community-based protests in Harare and Chitungwiza today, taking to the streets of Domboramwari, Glen View, Kuwadzana and Makoni Shopping Centre in Chitungwiza.

In Domboramwari, 100 women and men marched from the main water point to the shopping centre, carrying balloons that read ‘Stand Up for Your Child’ and handing out flyers urging people to vote in the coming elections. The group chanted slogans in the shopping centre for some time before dispersing without incident.

In Chitungwiza, approximately 150 people marched several hundred metres to Makoni Shopping Centre, again handing out flyers and generating much excitement from the Saturday-morning shoppers. As the group was dispersing, a ZANU PF campaign vehicle and police vehicles were seen driving towards the group. At the time of writing, the welfare of Chitungwiza demonstrators is still being ascertained. The song being sung in Shona by the marchers was ‘our children want food, schooling – police, if you harass them, we will be on your backs’

In Glen View, a group of approximately 50 people began marching from Glen View 3 Shopping Centre. It soon became clear however that the balloons and the flyers being handed out, which include children’s games, were causing great excitement amongst the children in the area and many children rushed to join in the procession. As more and more children joined in, it was decided to disperse the procession before it reached the agreed end point as there were concerns for the welfare of the children should police approach.

The final demonstration of the day was held in Kuwadzana where about 75 women and men marched for several hundred metres to Kuwadzana Shopping Centre. Again the peaceful group, with its carnival atmosphere, attracted great attention from shoppers in the market and in the centre. Bicycle police were observed attending the scene shortly after the crowd dispersed. The song being sung in Shona by the marchers was a duet by WOZA and MOZA. The song depicted a child asking their parent to pay school fees and both parents saying there was no money, with the father saying he only had enough money for one pint of beer.

The peaceful protests were to urge people to ‘Stand up for your Child’ and to encourage Zimbabweans to vote and to vote wisely for candidates that will deliver a future for the children. WOZA has taken a position to mobilise Zimbabweans to vote for any candidate that they feel will deliver social justice rather than follow blindly party loyalties.

Yesterday, the Zimbabwe Republic Police in clear contravention of their powers under the new Public Order Security Act (POSA), banned toyi-toying yet did not seem to pay too much undue notice to the peaceful WOZA demonstrations.

To see the flyer that the demonstrators were handing out to passersby, click here. Stand Up for Your Child flyer 3

Breaking news from WOZA – Urgent Appeal
Reports have just come in from Bulawayo that human rights lawyers have been chased away from their clients and have been threatened with assault. We have been asked by lawyers to launch an urgent appeal as before they were chased out of the station, some youth indicated that they were being tortured.

Several people in custody are in urgent need of medical assistance following the beating they received during the arrests. They are being denied treatment.

In Harare, the number of arrests has been confirmed at eight. They are being held in Harare Central. Human rights lawyers were in attendance but have not been able to gain access as police are currently taking the particulars of those arrested.

Please call Bulawayo central on +263 9 72515/ 61706 and demand that lawyers are allowed access to WOZA members and that those that require medical assistance receive it. Please also demand that police stop torturing innocent men and women.

Two thousand members of Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) and Men of Zimbabwe Arise (MOZA) took to the streets of Harare and Bulawayo today – a day ahead of Valentine’s Day hoping to catch the police napping. The peaceful protests marked WOZA’s fifth Valentine’s Day procession. At present reports indicate that over 274 men and women and 20 babies are in police custody in Bulawayo and about 10 women in Harare. The Bulawayo protesters were arrested with real-life images of Presidents Robert Mugabe, Morgan Tsvangirai and Arthur Mutambara, who were about to be presented with copies of the People’s Charter in a ceremony outside the state-owned Chronicle.Several prominent civic leaders were present at the demonstrations, including Dr Lovemore Madhuku of the National Constitutional Assembly.In Bulawayo, a heavy police presence indicated that police were expecting WOZA and the protest had to start under the nose of uniformed and plain-clothed police. Riot police swooped towards the end of the protest at the offices of the Chronicle and brutally beat up members. It is estimated that over 1,000 women and men marched three blocks through Bulawayo handing out Valentine’s cards, red roses and copies of the People’s Charter to passersby.Lawyers have been deployed to attend to those in custody and attempt to get in medical attention to those who need it. The walking wounded that were not arrested are currently receiving medical attention.In Harare, the protest started with a handing over of a letter to representatives of the United Nations Development Project (UNDP) and Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance (OCHA) asking them to assist Zimbabweans in getting political leaders to deliver the People’s Charter. The UNDP offices was where the first Valentine’s protest took place five years ago when WOZA named then Secretary General, Kofi Annan, as their Valentine.WOZA activists affixed three real-life images of Presidents Robert Mugabe, Morgan Tsvangirai and Arthur Mutambara to the wall outside Takura House. Copies of the People’s Charter were then figuratively ‘handed over’ to the Presidents – symbolizing the need for responsible leaders to deliver social justice.

The peaceful demonstration then moved on to Parliament, singing in Shona, ‘your term is up – you have stayed too long’. As the group neared the entrance, riot police fired tear gas canisters into the crowd. Initially the crowd retreated but then bravely regrouped, stood their ground and threw back the tear gas canisters; hitting the Parliament walls and sending those watching from the parliament balcony scurrying back into the building. The group, which included many leaders, sat down to await arrest but found police only interested in firing tear gas. The song then changed to ‘police do not harass us’. Eventually leaders decided to declare a victory and disperse.

As they dispersed, the activists continued to toyi toyi (fast march/dance) into Sam Nujoma St, past the Herald offices into First Street. The protest was then officially dispersed outside the police post in First Street. In spite of this, a group of several hundred continued to toyi toyi towards the Zanu PF offices but were blocked at Chinhoi Street by riot police with dogs. Several members were arrested at the scene but it is unclear if there any members were attacked by the police dogs. Eight members were arrested in Kwame Nkrumah Street near the UN offices.

WOZA would like to dedicate this day to the contribution of Zimbabwean activists to a non-violent struggle for social justice – we salute your non-violent discipline and spirit of love. We call on the state-owned Chronicle and Herald to honestly cover the events that occurred right on their doorsteps in honour of journalist ethics. To the Zimbabwe Republic Police we say – your children will also one day enjoy the social justice we fight for. Aluta Continua – Woza Moya!

WOZA leaders Jenni Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu appeared again in the Bulawayo Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Phathekile Msipa on 15 December to hear whether their application for a removal off remand would be considered.

Magistrate Msipa allowed defense lawyer, Kossam Ncube, to apply for the pair to be removed off remand. The state represented by police prosecutor, Lovemore Chifamba, opposed the application.

Mr Ncube argued that it was a curtailment of the duo’s liberty to be kept on remand indefinitely whist awaiting a ruling from the Supreme Court. He also cited a letter received from the registrar of the Supreme Court stating that ‘the matter in the lower court is automatically suspended until a determination of proceedings is made by the Supreme Court’. He argued that the matter was heard in the Supreme Court on 4th June 2009 and the written ruling promised by 7th July but nothing has been forthcoming to date.

In his argument against a removal off remand, state prosecutor, Lovemore Chifamba, argued that one of the cases for trial was a 2004 matter. He claimed that Williams and Mahlangu ‘travel a lot’ and had been impossible to locate for the matter to go to trial, so if removed off remand the state would not be able to summons them to appear in court. He attempted to convince the magistrate that the ruling from the Supreme Court had been promised to the Director of Prosecutions by the end of the year but provided no proof of this undertaking.

Magistrate Msipa will make her ruling of the application for the pair to be removed off remand on Friday 18th December 2009.

Williams and Mahlangu have appeared in court on remand 21 times for these charges since they were arrested on 16 October 2008. The only time they missed their remand hearings was on the first three occasions when they were still in Mlondolozi Prison and the state failed in their duty to present them to court as they had no fuel.

Leaders of Women and Men of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA/MOZA) today met with the co-Ministers of Home Affairs, Kembo Mohadi and Giles Mutsekwa. The meeting was requested through the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP). The human rights defenders were accompanied by Dzimbabwe Chimbga from Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR).

The two hour meeting was attended by the Permanent Secretary of Home Affairs, Mr. Melusi Machiya and three other unnamed officials. Surprisingly, Registrar General, Tobaiwa Mudede was also in attendance.

The ministers advised that they had called the meeting after receiving numerous reports from law enforcement agencies regarding the activities of WOZA. Minister Mutsekwa opened by advising that the motive of the meeting was to “bring WOZA and the ZRP to equal terms, restore harmony and to remove discord and suspicion”. The minister went on to mention that the power sharing government is negatively regarded locally and internationally as an oppressive government as a result of WOZA’s negative publications and that this is affecting their ability to attract investors.

Minister Mohadi admitted that the police had been accused of being partisan in the past which had led to the sharing of the Home Affairs ministry. He stressed that Zimbabweans should obey their laws fully or if they do not like the Public Order and Security Act (POSA), which is on their statute books, they should lobby parliament for amendments. He went on to say that when the ministers had come into office they had announced to Zimbabweans that the time for squabbles is over and that they should desist from any activities that could jeopardise the inclusive government and that WOZA should have taken their cue from that. He also insisted that WOZA should put their trust the police as they are supposed to keep order. .

With that introduction, they asked the WOZA delegation to respond. National Coordinator, Jenni Williams related that at first WOZA had notified police of their intention to hold peaceful demonstrations. Police interpreted ‘notify’ as ‘apply’ and that had lead to police trying to refuse our right to assembly. At one stage they had threatened that they would shoot to kill if members went into the streets. Williams also mentioned that police do not comply with POSA regulations as regards how to disperse a gathering, be it lawful or unlawful, but use excessive force. Williams also advised that WOZA does not need to notify police as it falls under POSA exemption schedules as a non-political organization. In this regard, WOZA has successfully defended its right to assembly in seven trials.

At this point a legal argument began which continued for over 30 minutes with the ministry interpreting the exceptions to suit their demand that WOZA must notify before their demonstrations. Despite clarity that a ‘gathering’ included a procession or a demonstration, and therefore exemptions applied, the ministers were adamant that exemptions do not apply to a demonstration. This matter remained unresolved and Minister Mutsekwa insisted that the legal matter be argued between the Attorney General and Mr. Chimbga.

In closing the meeting, Minister Mutsekwa lectured on the “need for peace and tranquillity in the country and we have to correct the wrong impression that we are a lawless country.” “We ask you to start to obey the country’s laws so that investors start coming in and we can all benefit. There is a bigger picture than your issues. We are going to call a press conference about our meeting with you.”

With those comments they then declared that if WOZA notify police before any demonstrations, both ministers would not be found wanting in personally disciplining any police excesses. Implicit in this statement is the threat that if WOZA continues to exercise their constitutional rights to freedom of expression and assembly and their exemption under the Public Order and Security Act, they will continue to allow the police to ignore clear instructions for dispersing a procession covered under law.

WOZA’s legal opinion remains as follows: the Public Order and Security Act currently provides the law for the maintenance of public order and security in Zimbabwe. Under Section 2 of the Act, a public gathering is defined as a “public meeting or a public demonstration”. Sections 23, 24 and 25 outline the procedure to be followed by a convener who intends to organize public demonstrations as defined under the Act. At the end of the Act appears a schedule of gatherings to which sections 23, 24, 25. Of particular relevance to this situation is paragraph (i) of the schedule which excludes “any club, association or organization which is not of a political nature and at which the discussions and matters dealt with are not of a political nature’ from having to give any notification.

WOZA therefore clearly falls within the provisions of section (i) of the schedule and is not obliged to give notice whenever it has its peaceful processions on issues which are non-political in nature.

WOZA values the opportunity to directly engage with the co-ministers and acknowledges the time they spent discussing with us. We will continue to stand firm on our right to enjoy fully our freedom of expression and assembly without hindrance. And in so doing, know that we are obeying the letter of the constitutional provisions and the unfortunate Public Order and Security Act. Peaceful protest is not the only means by which WOZA members choose to engage with their leaders about issues that affect them in their daily lives. In a country where democratic space remains limited, however, we the ordinary people of Zimbabwe will continue to grab any space possible to get our voices heard.

Eight protests took place at Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) offices across Bulawayo this morning, demanding ‘power to the people’. Approximately 100 WOZA members have been arrested so far.

At 8 am this morning, WOZA members assembled at eight different ZESA offices – Pumula, Mpopoma, Entumbane, Tshabalala, Magwegwe, Nkulumane, Nketa 6 and Luveve – holding simultaneous ‘tough love’ protests. Over 500 members from 16 different areas of Bulawayo took part in the community-level protests.

The protests at Magwegwe, Entumbane, Nketa 6 and Mpopoma took place without incident and the participants were able to disperse before police arrived. At Pumula, approximately 70 members as they were dispersing (the police station is next door to the ZESA office.) They were taken to Pumula Police Station before being transferred to Bulawayo Central Station.

At Luveve, members had protested and were beginning to disperse when police arrested people some distance away from the ZESA office, as they were catching transport back to their homes. Approximately 20 people are being held at Luveve Police Station.

At Nkulumane, nine people were arrested at the ZESA offices and are being held at Tshabalala Police station. Lawyers have been called and are trying to get access to those arrested.

The protests signify the launch of the ‘power to the people’ by March 2008 campaign. Today’s protests began with members queuing up as the offices made to open. They then marched in and handed over protest notes and either sat or stood inside and outside the offices until addressed.

In Luveve and Entumbane, officials attempted to divert the protesters by saying someone was coming to address them whilst making hasty calls to the police station. In Nkulumane, nine members were loaded into a cream Nissan pick-up, registration 846-101 Z by plain-clothed officers.

In all the areas the protest notes and placards were delivered to the local ZESA offices but officials told the peaceful protesters to go and protest at the town office, as there were no officials with authority to address them present. As members dispersed security guards were seen collecting up the protest notes and placards.

The contact numbers for the police stations are below. Please call and ask why innocent men and women are being arrested for addressing legitimate consumer complaints to their service provider, ZESA.

Bulawayo Central on +263 9 72515
Luveve +263 9 520801/2/3
Tshabalala +263 9 496755

SITUATION ROOM Press statement 2pm 1st August 2013
The Matabeleland Situation Room comprising more than 20 organisation collaborated to observe and monitor the 2013 Election processes wish to declare our initial observations and findings. At the onset we expressed concern that the chaos that prevailed during the registration and special voting processes could have been organised chaos. Our observation teams worked around the clock to collect voter views on the election process and reported high number of voters turned away, assisted without clear reason. Alternatively a high number of people were chased away for not appearing on the voters roll. There were serious discrepancies at different polling stations as for the same reason that some voters were turned away others were allowed to vote.

By 15hrs yesterday, in a sample of 28 Bulawayo polling stations, approximately 1,147 registered voters had been turned away. This figure gives an indication of a possible trend in other parts of the country.

Many other polling irregularities were reported. Ballot papers ran out in many polling stations and people were unable to vote as a result, e.g. Spitzkop and Jacaranda in ward 3 Gwanda. These polling stations then closed early at 2pm with voters being told to come back in 3 hours. They then miraculously managed to get all potential voters to vote from 10pm to midnight when ballot papers came in. This stock out was a result of an unequal supply or ballot papers. Many polling stations ran out or council ballots with some areas reporting that people carried on voting with the remaining ballot for presidential and members of parliament.

Approximately 150 police officers, very youthful looking and in brand new uniforms were seen being loaded into 5 (five) Mazda B22 and one T-35 trucks at Drill hall in Bulawayo. They all had luggage indicating that they were either being deployed to sleep somewhere or had already slept somewhere.

Sightings of hundreds of uniformed police and plain clothed with special voting slips at many polling stations – Chief Assembly Hall in Ntabazinduna Umguza Constituency Ward 5, Makokoba Stanley Hall Ward 7, Llewellyn Primary School, in Llewellyn Barracks. However it has remained unclear as to if they were crossed off on the voters roll or granted voting access by the waiting slip.

Additionally, we believe that such large numbers of uniformed personnel at any given polling station is intimidating for voters who still bear memories if police brutality during the 2008 election.

Further information came from Thelamanzi Kiosk Polling Station in Ward 16 Umzingwane that groups of youth were chanting Zanu PF slogans within 50 meters of the polling station were and threatening retribution if Zanu PF lost the election. This intimidated voters.

In the initial analysis, we feel that the Election cannot be judged on the 31st July 2013 alone or on the ballots cast or the peaceful day but must be judged on the whole process from Constitutional Court judgement day to the day we get the final results. It must also be judged on the millions of Zimbabweans both young and old, uniformed or in civilian garb who did not manage to access their right to register and vote.

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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.

We shall all be Free and Equal

• All Zimbabweans shall be equal, regardless of gender, physical ability, colour, national origin or tribe. Women’s and children’s rights shall be promoted and protected;
• We shall be educated about the rights and freedoms guaranteed to us by our Constitution and by international law, both regional and universal; and shall enjoy them freely;
• We shall be free to meet, organise and speak our minds without fear or intimidation.

People Participating in Governance

• People shall be informed of and encouraged to participate fully in all aspects of how the country is managed and run, fully exercising their rights as citizens;
• Any person born in Zimbabwe shall be allowed to become a citizen of the country. Birth certificates, national identity documents and passports shall be easily available for all citizens;
• People shall be free to choose the leaders they want, without fear and intimidation. Leaders at all levels shall be chosen through free and fair elections, without rigging;
• Women must also be encouraged to take up leadership positions to ensure gender balance;
• There shall be an independent electoral supervisory commission to oversee the conduct of elections and elections shall be monitored by neutral observers, both local and international;
• People shall be free to belong to the political party of their choice and shall not be discriminated against because of the party they support;
• All other arms of government, especially civil servants, police and army, shall be non-partisan and shall effectively serve the interests of the people.

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.

Justice in the Law

• There shall be a new constitution – written by the people of Zimbabwe for the people of Zimbabwe;
• All unjust laws that deny basic freedoms shall be repealed;
• There shall be rule of law and no single person will be above the law of the land and everyone shall have equal access to fair and just treatment under the legal system. Law breakers will be pursued, prosecuted and punished without regard to their political affiliation;
• The judiciary shall be independent and non-partisan, committed to upholding the law and promoting a culture of justice;
• Prisoners shall be treated with dignity, kept in humane conditions and given access to rehabilitation. Juveniles will not be treated as adults by the police, the courts or the prisons.

This Land is our Land

• The Land Redistribution Programme needs to start again and land be distributed fairly to any Zimbabwean – of any colour or gender – who will use it properly for the benefit of the country;
• There shall be respect for property rights;
• Farmers shall be helped with loans and inputs, so that they can develop the land productively;
• Farmers shall receive a fair price for their produce and shall be allowed to trade freely.

Wealth and Prosperity

• Government shall make every effort to bring development, infrastructure and prosperity to all parts of the country, both rural and urban, equally;
• Government shall encourage investment in commerce and industry that shall create employment and promote prosperity for all Zimbabweans;
• Government shall make every effort to control inflation by promoting production;
• Zimbabweans require a transparent and fair system of taxation with feedback on how their taxes have been spent;
• Government shall genuinely act to stamp out corruption and not let it continue to destroy our economy;
• Real currency shall return and our money shall have real value once again.

The Right to Earn a Living

• All people shall have the right to earn a living so that they can be dignified and do not need to rely on handouts to survive;
• There shall be enough employment, with decent working conditions and a liveable wage; equal pay for equal work.
• There shall be access to resources to start self-help projects, especially for youth and widows;
• People should also be allowed to trade; licenses and stands shall be fairly distributed.

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.

Educating the Nation

• Every child shall have equal access to an education without any form of discrimination. Those who cannot afford it shall have access to financial assistance;
• Primary education shall be free and secondary education affordable as we were promised in 1980;
• All students shall have a good quality education, taught in classrooms with enough resources – books, desks and equipment.
• There shall be enough qualified teachers committed to educating the next generation. We must respect their contribution enough to give them a living wage.

We Want to be Healthy

• There shall be adequate access to good healthcare, which shall be affordable for all Zimbabweans;
• Hospitals and clinics shall have enough medicines and equipment;
• Those living with HIV/AIDS shall have adequate access to Anti-Retroviral medication; those who cannot afford to pay shall be given the medicine and, if necessary, food aid for free;
• The elderly shall not have to pay for medical treatment or medicines.
• There shall be enough qualified medical staff committed to treating people with dignity and care. We must respect their contribution enough to give them a living wage.
• People shall be allowed to die with dignity; burial charges must be affordable.

Access to Information

• There shall be independent radio stations, newspapers and television stations that shall provide accurate, independent information
• News reporting shall be balanced, unbiased and all political parties shall receive equal coverage.

Righting the Wrongs

• There should be a meaningful apology made by those responsible for Gukurahundi and a truthful explanation of why it happened;
• Survivors of Gukurahundi and family members of the ‘disappeared’ should receive compensation;
• The pots taken from the Njelele shrine in Matobo, Matabeleland, must be returned and the desecration reversed with a full apology.
• Those affected by Murambatsvina should receive the housing that they were promised; they should also receive compensation;
• Leaders who have looted our wealth through corruption should be brought to justice.

Respect for Culture

• All people shall have equal right to use their own language and to observe their own culture and customs.
• Zimbabweans, especially the youth, should be taught their own and other traditions, so that there can be respect for all different cultures.

Peace and Friendship

• Zimbabweans are by nature friendly people – we must once again extend a hand of friendship to our neighbours, regionally and internationally, so that they can help us rebuild our beloved Zimbabwe.

Let all those who love Zimbabwe join hands to turn our dream of social justice into a reality.