The WOZA social justice charter – the People’s Charter – was successfully launched in Mutare this morning, as members of the organisation marched through central Mutare, defying a police ban on all demonstrations throughout the country. Approximately 30 women processed, singing and waving placards, from near Kingdom Bank up to the Civic Centre, a distance of about 300 metres. They left their placards in front of the Civic Centre, and dispersed, as the few police in the area ignored them. No arrests took place.

Meanwhile we have news that the total number arrested yesterday in Masvingo is 20. A lawyer is now assisting them. Details of the charges are not yet available.

In Gweru, the 27 arrested during the demonstration on Monday appeared in court yesterday and were released on bail. The nine others that had been arrested later in the day when taking food to those in cells remain in custody and are expected to be taken to court today. Police are still trying to decide what charges to bring against them.

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.

Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) members are to participate in a ‘Right to Water’ civic society organised coalition march at 10am friday 14 november 2014 in Bulawayo. The march will start at the Egodini bus terminus and end at the city Hall. The City Mayor is expected to address participants along with civic society leaders.

The march focus is against the installation of prepaid water meters which Civic Society leaders view as a violation of the international instruments covering the right to water. The march sees the launch of a petition drive for residents of the city to get council to reverse the decision to install prepaid meters.

Bulawayo Residents Right to Water Campaign – SAY NO to Prepaid Water Meters Petition

In late 2013, the Bulawayo City Council (BCC) revealed that it would be introducing prepaid water meters as a means of water management in Bulawayo, with the concept set to be piloted in Cowdray Park’s Hlalani Kuhle area. With prepaid water meters, people pay for water up-front before accessing it, in the same manner that they purchase airtime first before being able to make calls. Research by Bulawayo civic society organisations found that prepaid water meters are unworkable in poor communities such as Cowdray Park, and indeed anywhere else in Zimbabwe due to the current economic situation. They would inevitably lead to residents consuming less water than they need for a healthy life, leading to outbreaks of diseases such as cholera. Consultations have also revealed that the majority of residents of Bulawayo are against the move. BPRA in association with several CSOs in Bulawayo is thus carrying out a Right to Water Campaign, which among other things seeks to compel the Bulawayo City Council (BCC) to reverse its decision to install prepaid water meters.

• The BCC resolution seems at odds with the new constitutional dispensation which reads – every person has a right to A) safe, clean and potable water B) sufficient food. These two points are interlinked as the one feeds the other and help people survive!
• Pre paid meters will destroy the spirit of “ubuntu” as people will no-longer be free to share water – this is a taboo in our culture.
Sign this petition and JOIN the campaign for the RIGHT TO WATER. Together we can make BULAWAYO CITY COUNCIL (BCC) REVERSE its decision to install prepaid water meters.

CHECK OUT THE MARCH PHOTOS AT facebook.com/woza.zimbabwe

The 158 members arrested today in Bulawayo were all released late this afternoon. The 127 women and 31 men were held in Southampton House all afternoon. Police Internal Security Intelligence (PISI) officers questioned two leaders, Williams and Mahlangu whilst the others had their names recorded. Attempts were made to keep Williams and Mahlangu in custody but the rest of the members refused to be released without them and vocalised this.

Two Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) officials, Maphosa and Ndebele, also attended and recorded the life history of Williams, advising her that they would now be frequently visiting her home and monitoring her movements. None of the activists arrested were charged in the end.

The message delivered by WOZA was delivered loud and clear and whilst we recognise that police restrained themselves from brutality today, WOZA will continue to protest for an end to violence against all Zimbabweans and for a constitution-making process that has people at heart.

FOURTEEN members appeared yesterday morning, 26th August, before Magistrate Doris Shomwe in Harare Magistrate’s Court. They had been arrested near the Zambian Embassy in Harare on 28 May 2008, where they were to hand over a petition to the SADC chair calling for an end to post-election violence.

Magistrate Shomwe allowed the state’s application for the trial to be postponed to 15 October 2008 on grounds that the prosecutor, Zvekare, who was familiar with the case, had fallen ill and could not be in court.

Harrison Nkomo, the defence lawyer, had requested that the group be removed off remand on the grounds that the state was obviously not prepared as they had failed to deliver the court papers by 18th August as promised and the continued appearances in court were prejudicial to the accused. He also argued that the state had not provided any evidence that Zvekare was actually ill, what he was suffering from and how long he had been ill for.

The replacement prosecutor Kaka had the activists speechless with his antics. He insisted that the state was ready to proceed and could immediately hand over copies of the docket but when the defence followed him to his office following the hearing; it became apparent that the docket is not complete.

Just another day in a politicised court system. WOZA look forward to the day there will be a democratic transition in Zimbabwe that results in the judiciary and police being depoliticised so that long-harassed human rights defenders can access a just and fair legal system.

The seven members arrested in Bulawayo on Wednesday 17th June appeared on remand in Bulawayo Magistrate’s Court this morning. The state was not prepared with either the docket or state witnesses. They have been further remanded out of custody until 22nd July.

In Harare, the four members who had been arrested on 18th June and badly beaten appeared in Harare Magistrate’s Court yesterday morning. As in Bulawayo, the state was not ready with either the docket or state witnesses. Neither were the police ready to answer why the four were so badly beaten in custody. The magistrate has postponed the matter to Monday 6th July and has insisted that the state be ready on that date.

Subsequently all four members have been called into Harare Central Police Station by officers from the Law and Order Unit to give their account of what happened to them in custody.

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

Good evening Mr. President, Mrs. Obama, honoured guests, ladies and gentlemen.

I would like to add my thanks to that of Magodonga’s to the Robert F Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights and friends here present for the recognition given to Women of Zimbabwe Arise.

WOZA was formed to give voice to ordinary women and men and to demand social justice for all Zimbabweans.  We did not set out to seek recognition beyond that of our own government respecting us as citizens and recognising our concerns as legitimate.  We are mothers of the nation, longing for the award of dignity, and a bright future for our children. It is unfortunate however, to note that our activism – demanding our rights as citizens  —- comes at a cost. I personally find WOZA members constant courage inspirational and would like to take this opportunity to salute their dedication.    Although some have paid the ultimate price ——– their lives sacrificed at the hands of police harassment, or due to a health crisis, brought about by a government, that prioritises power over human life.  As I stand here in the White House, I pay tribute to them –  Tembelani Lunga – Julia Chapeyama –  Fungai Chabata –  Douglas Magwaro –  Maria Moyo and others.

Maria’s story is an example of how life is cut short in Zimbabwe.  A veteran of the liberation struggle, Maria looked after her six orphaned grandchildren, struggling to educate them by selling tomatoes.  Finding that the country’s hard-won independence had been squandered, she once more engaged in struggle and became an active member of WOZA. It was upon her tenth arrest and two nights in filthy police cells, Maria contracted the flu.  Her condition steadily worsened as she had insufficient food and no access to medicine.  The final straw came when she was abducted from her sickbed by police early one morning and interrogated in the bush for hours.  Maria died days later, never recovering from the trauma of her torture.

Maria embodies the spirit that drives us.  WOZA was formed to turn a victim mindset into the one of a survivor — determined to finally realize the promises of the liberation war – for the ideal of “one person-one vote,” for equality and for the right to education.  Blood has already been spilt for these ideals.  WOZA leads a nonviolent struggle and we are committed to giving it a chance to complete our long walk to freedom.

To help us, we draw inspiration from the work of Martin Luther King Junior.  He challenged us to ‘make injustices visible’ and to work so that ‘fear can be turned into hope.’  We modelled our training programmes on his advice, and today, we have a membership of 75,000 strong to show for it.

We are not fighting a revolution in Zimbabwe, we are leading an evEolution.  And civic education is our tool to evolve the hearts and minds of Zimbabweans, to build a strong, new, African democracy, where respect, tolerance and accountability are key.  The building blocks of this democracy are being laid in cattle kraals, tiny two-roomed houses and church halls across the country.

Mr President you know how invaluable community mobilising can be – We have learnt that knocking on doors, talking with and listening to people is the way  WE CAN rebuild our nation. We call on you, to support community mobilizers who are organized to knock on doors, and empower Zimbabweans to deliver change from the ground up.

Magodonga has already appealed to friends here present, I would like to add my plea that Zimbabweans be allowed to develop their democratic voice without harassment.

The constitutional reform process is currently stalled in Zimbabwe.

Little has been done under the Global Political Agreement to ensure there is a secure environment for people to participate in this process and that they can freely say what they want to be included in the content of our new constitution.

We are extremely worried that the structures of violence organized during the presidential run-off last year are currently being reinstated, to intimidate us into silence, and allow the fast-tracking of the so-called “Kariba Draft” of the constitution, endorsed by the political parties. Why is this money being spent for violence instead of funding the constitutional reform?  We want to be able to express our views and still live to see the new constitution working.

We ask for help in establishing a Southern African Development Community monitoring mechanism of the GPA, that would focus on individuals’ security, and the constitutional reform process.  WOZA can take care of the speaking out, and the freedom to express, but we need help to make sure there is freedom after expression.

I thank you!

SIX women arrested on Wednesday 18 May 2011 were finally located by lawyers who had to search go door to door at suburban police stations. They located them at 3 police stations, Sauerstown, Hillside and Donnington, split up in twos. The six are Teresia Phiri 45yrs, Janet Dube 45 yrs, Juliet Nyathi 29 yrs, Thobekile  Ncube 37 yrs, Sibekezele Nkomo 30 yrs, and Loyce Ndlovu whose age is yet to be determined. They had not eaten for 24hours as a result of being hidden away from lawyers and relatives.

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

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

At 10 am this morning a police vehicle was seen in Iminyela suburb with Thobekile and Janet on board and they went to 3 homes trying to secure the arrest of further members. Finding the women not at home, CID law and Order Detective Assistant Inspector Chikango then arbitrarily arrested a hostage – 18 year old Professor Nkala, leaving a note for his mother Mavis Sibanda to attend the Law and Order Department of Bulawayo Central. Please call DAI Chikango Law on +263 9 72515

Twenty members have been arrested in Bulawayo around noon on 22 August 2011. These arrests followed protests to the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Company over poor service. Five hundred members, in four separate protests managed to converge on the Power station to deliver 63 000 signatures that remained after police seized the million signatures on the ‘anti abuse of power’ petition signatures. As they marched they distributed flyers. They also delivered ‘red cards’ and 4 mock coffins symbolising the need for ‘parliament to bury ZESA’ or remove the monopoly.

Town looked perfectly normal until 11:30 am when large contingent of police were deployed. Over one hundred police officers, many in full Riot police gear conducted arbitrary ‘stop and search’ of anyone walking. Other officers stopped every commuter omnibuses enroute into the CDB and searched handbags and people’s pockets. The police officers told some members that they were looking for WOZA material.

Plain clothed Criminal Investigating Officers were also present in their large numbers in the vicinity of the protest. This dragnet resulted in 10 members from one area were arrested as they waited for their demonstration to start. Due to heavy presence of police around town, two of the four processions had to relocate members to their plan B beginning points. These last minute changes resulted in some members being too frightened to March or getting lost in the relocation.

As the three protests arrived at the Power stations officers, they dropped off the coffin and red cards and the petitions before dispersing. The fourth protest arrived as the ZESA office staff, were taking in the petitions and coffin, as the peaceful activists arrived carrying the 4th coffin, the staff actually thanked them for the coffin and took it into the office. Passersby commended the activists for dealing ‘with ZESA’ and said at least the police ‘allowed’ them time to dance at the ZESA office.

After the protests two more groups, bringing the number of arrests to 20, with at least two members being handcuffed. Lawyers have been deployed.

WOZA national coordinator, Jenni Williams who participated in the procession issued this comment: ‘I wish to pay tribute to WOZA members for showing determination to deliver a strong telling off to ZESA despite being searched and intimidated’. With the huge presence of police, who were thoroughly searching each person, I did not expect any procession to get started, but members strategised. They sneaked into town all their reds cards, flyers, petitions with 63 000 signatures on petitions, 4 huge cardboard Coffins and placards and managed to march and deliver their message.

WOZA would also like to thank members of the public for saving at least 5 members from arrest by plain clothed police officers by tipping them off that the officers were talking about arresting them. A similar protest on 10 May 2011, to the power station resulted in over 50 members being beaten.

Members of WOZA and MOZA did research on 1434 households last year and found that:
1. The average home spends 101 hours per month without ELECTRICITY that is over 15% of the hours in one month. This year power cuts have doubled.
2. Most people spend 3/4 of the cost of the ZESA bill buying alternative fuel so they can cook food!
3. More than 50% of homes pay a fixed charge, if they don’t pay they are cut off, they don’t get any discount for power cuts and are charged interest on back bills and estimate bills.
4. Of the 1434 homes, only 42 homes had prepaid meters. These are some of the reasons WOZA are giving ZESA a red card – they are a danger to our pockets and they don’t have customer care or improve their service. Millions of Zimbabweans are being robbed. ZESA is abusing POWER and parliament must remove the power monopoly. WOZA members want prepaid meters and affordable, fair electricity service, with actual bills and proper load shedding timetables.