TEN members of Women and Men of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) and 4 bystanders arrested on 7th February 2012 were finally released. The 4 bystanders including a 16 year old girl, pregnant 18year old woman and a vendor were released at the court. The ten members including WOZA leader Jenni Williams went on to be formally charged when they appeared in Court One. They were granted free bail with no conditions but the state insisted on setting a provisional Trial date of Monday 13th February 2012.

Although detained for ‘failing to notify the police of a demonstration’ a section of the notorious Public Order Security Act (POSA) they were finally charged under a lesser charge.

Criminal law (codification and reform) Act [chapter 9:23] Act 23/2004 Section 46 Criminal nuisance’ Any person who does any of the acts specified in the Third Schedule shall be guilty of criminal nuisance and liable to a fine not exceeding level five or imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months or both. Acts constituting criminal nuisance – 2. Any person who – (v) employs any means whatsoever which are likely materially to interfere with the ordinary comfort, convenience, peace or quiet of the public or any section of the public, or does any act which is likely to create a nuisance or obstruction; shall be guilty of criminal nuisance.

All fourteen are suffering from Flu like symptoms and 2 had to be taken to hospital. This was a result of the fourteen being kept in the filthy cockroach infested open fenced area of the police cells 3 hours from 11pm to 2am on the first night. This was during a 5 hour meeting by police bosses debating on how to proceed. Most junior police officers were refusing to process the activist saying they should be released. Sanity did not prevail as at 2am, the order came for detention and the docket disappeared for 48hours stalling any process to prepare the activists for court.

The members were represented by Godfrey Nyoni and Nikiwe Ncube deployed by the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights. The state was represented by Jeremiah Mutsindikwa and Magistrate Rosemary Dube.

Four members who were arrested were beaten upon arrest and handcuffed and dragged to Central police station.

Two out of four processions managed to arrive at the Joint Operations, Monitoring and Implementation Committee (JoMIC) office in Prosperity House along Leopold Takawira Street, Between Jason Moyo/Main Street but police swooped and viciously beat members to disperse them, arresting four members.

Members then made efforts to regroup and smaller groups marched to The Chronicle where once again police officers swooped arresting another 2. Other members were arrested at different parts of the city.

Since its formation in 2002, WOZA members have suffered a wide range of human rights abuses, some of these gender based violence. Many violations have been directly targeted at the elected leaders of WOZA, Jennifer Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu.

Violations to our constitutional rights to Freedom of Assembly and Expression
WOZA has a mandate to organise and conduct peaceful protest to press for social justice. At least 500 protests have been conducted; many without incident, but an equal number have attracted severe beatings and arbitrary arrests and detention by riot police officers.

? Since 2008 the state has escalated this repression by invoking section 121 and denying bail to members. On two occasions – May and October 2008, members arrested have been denied bail and kept in remand prison for more than 6 weeks.
? Since 2011, the riot police are deployed and directly interfere with our rights by stopping protests before they begin with violent beatings and arrests.
? Recently police have increased their attempts to stop WOZA protests by mounting ‘Stop and search’ roadblocks in Bulawayo.  Major routes to the city are ring-fenced by these road-blocks and women are searched and accused of being ‘WOZA women’ preparing to conduct a protest.
? Another feature of this has been the heavy presence of riot police in the city on days when the police think that WOZA might be planning a protest. Police strategy has been to separate any groups of more than 3 women standing or sitting together on pavements. They are ordered to go and wait in the bus terminus.
? Many members are arrested arbitrarily in this way and taken to the police station for profiling. Their life histories and details of their political affiliation, and they are photographed.
? On 19 January 2012, 17 members are arrested at a shopping centre in the city; the only male was released immediately and the women were subjected to torture and harassment. They were released at the intervention of a lawyer.
? Court appearances by WOZA members facing charges also attract heavy riot police attendance around the court, refusing to allow members to stand in groups at the entrance or exit from the court building.

Arbitrary Arrests at Meetings and other activities
WOZA’s mandate is to allow women a space to speak out on their issues and a vital component of this work is conducting meetings.98% of our meetings are not disturbed but the 2% result in arrests and detention in intolerable conditions.

? Members have been arrested in their homes
? Members have been arrested at places where they go for their burial clubs.
? Members have been arrested attending a ‘jam making’ development meeting
? Members have been arrested for wearing the WOZA scarf or T shirt bearing the message – “stand up for your rights”.
? On 18 September 2007, WOZA leader Magodonga Mahlangu was arrested in the city centre by four police officers and kept in custody for 48 hours simply because the President Mugabe was visiting Bulawayo and they wanted to prevent her from organising something that might embarrass him.
? Twelve members were abducted from their homes in the early morning of 24 August 2007 and threatened with death at a dam site if they did not divulge the whereabouts of WOZA leaders Jenni Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu. One of the members died two days later as she had been taken from her sick bed.
? The state does not fulfill its obligation to protect us from arbitrary arrest or detention and cruel inhuman and degrading treatment that results from detention.

Access to fair trial
WOZA members are kept extraordinary long in the judicial system appearing every two weeks or a month as a way to ‘discourage’ them from arranging protests.
? Despite a Supreme Court ruling recognizing our right to protest, as within the law, 10 members arrested on 7 February 2012 were charged with ‘criminal nuisance’ and have appeared already 7 times before the court.
? At the last 3 appearances the lawyers have been attempting to obtain a decision that will allow them to return to the Supreme Court to challenge the legality of the charge, but up to now permission to approach the Supreme Court has not been forthcoming.
? WOZA leaders continue to face Kidnap and Theft charges despite witnesses disowning their police prepared statements. On 12 March one of the accused Jennifer Williams was unable to take the defense stand due to ill-health and the magistrate revoked her bail from a higher court and sent her back to prison. There has been a lack of presumption of innocence and incarceration has been used as punishment before any trial is held.
? A politically compromised judicial system cannot deliver fair trial with equality before the law.
? There is no court recording devices in any court and so the magistrate can write a false record, and WOZA members have already experienced a serious misrepresentation of the proceedings in a trial by the presiding magistrate.

Equality before the law
? WOZA women are arrested for demonstrating while others such as war veterans are allowed to demonstrate.
? Deliberate and continued arrests and bringing of charges because it is WOZA activists. These charges cannot be successfully prosecuted due to Supreme Court Ruling of Williams and Mahlangu.
? During the numerous appearances local prosecutors and Magistrates cannot seem to make their own decisions as they are under orders to revert to ‘Harare’ (referring to the AG’s office) as we wait in court. Decisions taken in this way include the refusal of bail of WOZA leaders in Kidnap and Theft charges.
? An Ndebele speaking person cannot cope with conditions in police cells or prison as most of the officers insist on speaking Shona and refuse to speak in English.

Freedom from torture and inhuman cruel and degrading treatment
? Arbitrary arrests subject members to intolerable conditions in police cells that in itself becomes a form of punishment.
? Gender based insults emanate from police officers and prison guards.  Examples of these are: Get home and look after the kids/ you are witches/ you women smell of fish/ it is better for you to become prostitutes than to demonstrate.
? Conditions in remand prison are inhuman and friends have to bring food as the food is scarcely available and dirty.
? Other inmates face daily hunger 

Right to Trade
? Our members who already face daily arrest for human rights defending also face an equal risk of arrest for being informal traders.
? This is also the case for general citizens as the right to trade is being criminalized or used as an illegal pay top up to police officers as they demand bribes and also confiscate trade goods from vendors. 

From these few examples, it becomes clear that as WOZA members we have not been able to enjoy our constitutionally protected rights to freedom of expression and assembly.  We have been subjected to unlawful arrests, unlawful detention, abductions, cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment and torture while in police custody and in remand prison.  We have not been able to access justice through fair trial or equal treatment under the law.  As women we have experienced gendered insults from law enforcers who enforce the law in a very biased and brutal manner.  The majority of our members survive in a collapsed economy through vending, but they are constantly harassed and prevented from carrying on this informal trade. Most of the rights which are violated by our law enforcement agents and by the justice system are protected in our constitution, but it is virtually impossible to get any redress because of the partisan administration of justice.

Approximately 200 members of Women and Men of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA/MOZA) delivered an open letter to President Thabo Mbeki at the South African Embassy in Harare this morning. The letter was pressing for a genuine agenda to the South African mediated-talks that is more transparent, inclusive and addresses socio-economic issues.

WOZA gathered at the Embassy in suburban Harare today to highlight the unfairness of talks that only involve politicians who will be not be addressing issues of social justice – the ‘Bread and Roses’ Zimbabweans need. It was also to pressure for the inclusion of voices at the negotiating table that will raise socio-economic issues – issues at the heart of ordinary Zimbabweans.

When the group arrived, they affixed placards and material strips carrying their messages to the fence. Some of the messages read – ‘The talks should be about Bread and Roses’, ‘all Zimbabweans have views – lets all talk about talks’ and ‘politicians don’t cut deals in our name’.

Whilst the peaceful group gathered outside the gates to the Embassy, male and female representatives went inside to deliver WOZA’s open letter, as well as their vision for a new Zimbabwe and a plan on how to get there through the People’s Charter and ‘10 Steps to a New Zimbabwe’. Embassy staff received the letter, and having delivered their message, the group dispersed. There have been no reports of arrests since then.

Please see below for a copy of the open letter. WOZA’s ’10 steps to a new Zimbabwe’ and People’s Charter can be found elsewhere on this site.

As the protest was carried out during a time of great repression and police brutality, only a select group of the very brave participated, acting as representatives of their communities.

WOZA would like to thank the staff of the South African Embassy for receiving both the open letter and the peaceful gathering in the spirit that they were intended.

After the amazing release of over 300 activists from outside Parliament on 12th December 2006, Women Of Zimbabwe Arise and Men Of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA/ MOZA) members were left wondering if the non-violent war of attrition waged against the Zimbabwe Republic Police had at last born fruit and that members would no longer face weekly police harassment. Unfortunately this ‘truce’ was short-lived as Jenni Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu had to ‘quickstep’ to escape arrest on Saturday 16 December 2006, after being followed through Bulawayo for seven blocks with officers in hot pursuit.

WOZA had convened a meeting at a church in Bulawayo to reflect on the Harare launch of the Peoples’ Charter at Parliament. Halfway through the meeting, plain-clothed officers from the Police Internal Security Intelligence (PISI) branch entered the meeting hall. Their presence disrupted the meeting, which had to be dispersed. One PISI officer, Abraham Dapi, known to many members as he had testified in the Operation Sunrise Demonstration trial, tried to disguise himself by reading a copy of ‘The Zimbabwean’ but he did not fool anyone. He eventually went to rejoin his fellow officers outside.

As hundreds of WOZA and MOZA members left the venue, the three officers stood around outside the hall, obviously unsure how to proceed as they were outnumbered and, as usual, members were giving them the Love sign!

Last to leave the venue were Jenni Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu. Upon seeing them leaving, the police officers proceeded to follow the two, who were walking towards the city centre. WOZA security details managed to monitor the police officers’ movements and advise the duo about which roads were clear until they were able to out-walk the officers.

Meanwhile WOZA security monitoring the venue reported that another official from the Law and Order department, driving a navy-blue Defender, was seen monitoring the area and kept driving around the venue. The female officer, who wears spectacles, was present when members were assaulted on 29th November 2006 at Mhlahlandlela. She was observed by members pointing out to riot police who to assault and arrest.

Officer Abraham Dapi is well known to WOZA, as he was a state witness in the 21st August trial (regarding the demonstration against Operation Sunrise). After WOZA won that case, he was overheard saying that the only option left was to beat WOZA members, as the State could not win in court. His words came true and members are still nursing injuries from the brutal assault. In addition, when Jenni Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu were under arrest the night of the beatings, he came to the detention room where they were and in front of them, said that police had not beaten the women enough and that they should have been beaten more severely.

WOZA/MOZA will continue to defy unjust laws such as the Public Order and Security Act, which violate basic human rights such as the freedom of assembly. In addition, lawyers have been briefed to proceed with a suit against the police officers responsible for the assaults and an investigation is under way to identify all the officers involved to cite them as respondents.

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Following on from the demonstrations and arrests in Bulawayo last week, over 100 members of Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) were arrested in Filabusi today. The exact numbers are not clear as activists are still entering the police station to hand themselves in.

Rural members of WOZA had gathered today in Filabusi, the administrative centre for Insiza District, to launch the People’s Charter in that area. The Peoples’ Charter is the result of an eleven-month process of consulting ordinary Zimbabweans on what they want in a socially just future. The people of Insiza were widely consulted on their vision of a new Zimbabwe and endorsed the People’s Charter fully in return visits to the district.

Several hundred women had gathered in Filabusi this morning but before they could begin to march, police began arresting them. Those not arrested then marched to the police station to hand themselves in, in solidarity.

This demonstration today follows on from People’s Charter launch demonstrations in Bulawayo, Harare, Masvingo, Gweru and Mutare. It also follows on from demonstrations last week in Bulawayo to press for the inclusion of voices at the negotiating table that will raise the social justice issues contained in the People’s Charter – issues at the heart of ordinary Zimbabweans.

Please call Filabusi Police Station on +263 17 202 281 or 247 to demand their immediate release.

IN THE MAGISTRATE’S COURT CRB NO: 3101-2/07
FOR THE PROVINCE OF MATEBELELAND

In the matter between:
JENNIFER WILLIAMS 1st ACCUSED

and

MAGODONGA MAHLANGU 2nd ACCUSED

and

THE STATE RESPONDENT

1. The accused persons are facing a charge of allegedly contravening Section 37(1) (a) (i) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act (Participating in Gathering with Intent to Promote Public Violence, Breaches of Peace or Bigotry) alternatively Section 46 thereof as read with Section 2(v) of the Third Schedule (Criminal Nuisance). It is being alleged that on the 6th of June 2007 the accused persons together with c group of about 25 other women assembled at the entrance of the Bulawayo Central Police Station and demanded the unconditional release of five of their WOZA members who had been arrested.

2. They are presently on remand on bail in the Magistrate’s Court in Bulawayo.

3. The application in casu is made in terms of Section 24(2) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe. The basis for the application is that the aforesaid sections under which, the accused persons are charged violate sections 20, 21, and 22 of the Constitution, which protect the right to freedom of expression, assembly and association as well as the right to freedom of movement respectively.

4. For starters, Section 37 (1) (a) (i) of the Code is couched in such wide and broad terms that make it extremely difficult if not impossible to comprehend the demarcation of the offence. The stated consequences for that matter do not even need to occur. It suffices for conviction that there was a real risk on possibility of those possible consequences eventuating.

5. In the result, all forma of gatherings are thereby placed at risk. The section unduly strikes that the heart of all gatherings. It presents a chilling effect on all gatherings so much so that all kinds of gatherings for whatever purpose can be said to fall within the ambit of the section. It is open to abuse and potentially prohibits all forms of public gatherings or processions.

6. In the circumstances, it thus violates the right to freedom of assembly and association, right to freedom of expression and right to freedom of movement.

7. Seeing as the offence is not only based on the occurrence of certain results, but is also premised on likelihood, in a similar case the Supreme Court in the matter of The State -v- Tsvangirai 2001(2) ZLR426 (5) condemned such wording in legislation.

8. Under Section 50(2) of the repealed Law and Order Maintenance Act (LOMA) an act of terrorism was defined as one likely to cause certain specified results.

9. The Supreme Court in ruling the Section to be unconstitutional remarked as follows:
“By defining an act of terrorism or sabotage widely and vaguely – in particular by defining it as an act that was “likely” to have certain results) and stating those results in extremely broad terms – the section would tend to inhibit persons from legitimately exercising their freedom of expression for fear of falling foul of the law) and would encourage arbitrary and erratic arrests and convictions.”

10. It is this submitted that Section 37(1)(a)(1) which is similarly worded to Section 50 (2) of the repealed LOMA also offends against the constitution.

11. The alternative charge similarly violates Section 20 on freedom of expression, section 21 on freedom of assembly and association and section 22 on freedom of movement.

12. There is no clear-cut definition of what acts are likely to constitute or create a criminal nuisance. It is again couched in such wide, vague, imprecise and all catching terms that make it difficult for people to determine when they can be said to have committed an offence and whey they would still be within the ambit of the law.

13. The offence is premised on likelihood. The results do not have to eventuate. It is a speculative offence that encourages arbitrariness in its enforcement.

14. In the case of Chavunduka and Amor- v- Minister of Home Affairs and Amor 2001 ZLR 552(8) the Supreme Court was faced with a similarly worded section of the repealed Law and Order Maintenance Act. The said Act in Section 50(2) prohibited the making of false statements likely to cause fear, alarm and despondency. The Supreme Court ruled the section to be unconstitutional and struck it down. It reasoned thus at page 553B.

“statutory vagueness cannot be allowed where freedom of expression is at issue; the law must be precise enough to enable a person to regulate his conduct. The provision was far too wide and vague. It forbade statements «likely” to cause fear, alarm and despondency, as opposed to actually causing it. ”

It went on to say at page 561B that:

“It is crucial, therefore, that the law must be accessible and formulated with sufficient precision to enable a person to regulate his conduct. He or she must know, with reasonable certainty, what the law is and what actions are in danger of breaching the law.”

It further stated on the same page in paragraph D that:

“a court must ensure that if human conduct is to be subjected to the authority of any criminal law, the terms of such law must not be vague; or otherwise there will be a denial of due process. ”

15. On the offence being founded on mere likelihood of occurrence of certain consequences the same court at page 562 B reasoned that :

“There is no requirement of proof of any consequences – of damage to the state or impact upon the public. What the lawmaker has provided for is a speculative offence. An offence has been created out of a conjectural likelihood of fear, alarm or despondency which may arise out of the publication of any statement. .. ”

16. The Supreme Court went on to rule that the section was too vague, being susceptible to too wide an interpretation. The aforesaid sections of the Criminal Code are similarly worded and thus fail to stand the constitutional test. They are manifestly ultra-vires the constitution and there is a very high possibility the Supreme Court may rule them to be unconstitutional.

17. This court is therefore urged to refer this matter to the Supreme Court for a determination on the constitutionality or otherwise of those sections under which the accused persons are charged.

DATED AT BULAWAYO THIS 18TH DAY JUNE 2007

JOB SIBANDA AND ASSOCIATES
ACCUSEDS’ COUNSEL
3RD FLOOR, FORESTRY COMMISSION BUILDING
FIFE STREET/L. TAKAWIRA AVENUE
BULAWAYO (Mr Sibanda/nm)

TO: THE CLERK OF COURT
Magistrate’s Court
BULAWAYO

AND TO: THE PUBLIC PROSCECUTOR
Court 2
Tredgold Building
BULAWAYO

Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) have completed a member’s consultation regarding political developments in Zimbabwe. The activity was conducted to keep members briefed on the situation that prevails but also to consult members on what position the organisation should adopt around the constitutional and political scenarios that could play out.

The workshop consultation was conducted in Bulawayo and Harare and of 27 areas of Matabeleland North and South drawing 14 457 participants with 447 being men.  This figure 14457 members is 17% of our membership of 85 000 countrywide.

Members expressed concern over the continued political squabbling affecting progress. They expressed concern that the constitutional reform process is far too dependent on political negotiation and not enough of the politicians listening to the views of their political party members and ordinary citizens.

Members are also unhappy with the manner in which the Zimbabwe Republic Police continue to disrupt peaceful protests thereby helping politicians to sideline citizen voices. Members called for intervention by SADC and the UN on police harassment of WOZA members and activities. During the WOZA ‘Occupy for Devolution’ series in Bulawayo members were beaten by plain clothed police officers with thorny twigs. The officer concerned is named Brain and is based at Pumula police station. Further to this on 27 June Wednesday 2012 and
101 members were arrested on orders of officer commanding Bulawayo. This officer act with impunity and is a ‘law unto himself’, it is on his orders that members were arrested 30 minutes before any protest began. The Zimbabwe Republic Police are operating on a political agenda and must be held accountable. Although WOZA have submitted many complaints to the Joint Operating and Monitoring Mechanism (Jomic) they have done nothing but use those complaints as scrap paper.

As there continues to be no meaningful economic reform economic instability is affecting the cost of basic commodities.  Job losses continue to be the order of the day in Bulawayo and in other centres and no concern is paid to this problem. To make matters worse, Police continue to loot from members trying to survive by vending.

The culture of impunity and the using of the ‘peoples name’ to loot from activities that should be genuinely conducted in the nations interest continue unabated. COPAC has become a liability and waste of resources which will continue through the second all stakeholders’ conference process.

Members were gravely concerned about the continued deployment of militia and war veteran in the community.

These members were also asked if they are registered voters and results polled as follows: The overall number of registered Bulawayo members was 60%.  Male members registered was 51% and women 62% registered. Harare registered members was 72%.  Male members registered was 73% and women 72% registered.

The overall number of registered Matabeleland rural members was 70%. The number of male members registered was 74% and women 69% registered. The high number of registered members here is due primarily to ease of access to voter registration centres due to Zanu PF attention on rural areas as a method of vote buying or rigging. Members in rural areas also do not have proof of residence challenges.

There were more significant numbers of members registered in Harare and in the rural areas.  The main reasons explained is one of marginalisation which justifies the need for devolution. Bulawayo members have not been able to easily access documents for various reasons. Some members cannot afford to travel to the capital Harare to get their birth certificates and the local office is inefficient at providing these. Many people of this region were affected by the Gukurahundi massacre and lost parents for who they cannot obtain death certificates and therefore cannot have their births registered. Mobile registration centres do not function properly or only process a few people a day before closing.

Members gave the main reasons they have failed to register as voters as follows:
• Many members are Aliens and some who were registered in 1980 were de-registered for allegedly being an alien.
• Do not have the interest in elections
• ignorance
• Were out of the country for a long time and many found it not necessary to register.
• Some were still under age
• Do not have the necessary documentation e.g. birth certificates and Identity cards.
• Many are not home owners and rent a room from a landlord. So as ‘lodgers’ they cannot prove residence so cannot register.
• Have got some interest in registering but it’s a long and difficult process to renounce the foreign citizenship even though they do not
like being classified as alien when they had previously voted as Zimbabweans.
• Have lost interest in voting due to the violence that is associated with voting.

Members were united in their criticism of the political opposition for compromising far too much and accused them of looking more their self
interest than the people will.  Members said they only have a 45% trust of the opposition. Members also criticised them for not being
realistic on the failing of the President Robert Mugabe. He has a record of back tracking and does not keep to agreements and on a whim
will launch another violent campaign against Zimbabweans

As the campaign report was being finalised a draft was released and required study. WOZA note the following points of interest to members:

a) Free education and adult basic education. There is also further education which the state should make available.
b) Gender equality specified in many sections and the removal of restrictions by traditional culture.
c) President, cabinet, ministry permanent secretaries and all commissioners limited to two five year terms limit.
d) A devolved system of government with some forms of elected officials and specified resource control.
e) A more transparent sharing of power with the presidential running mates system.
f) We have proportional representation which does bring a more democratically implemented.
g) We got more democratic electoral systems and a Zimbabwe Electoral Commission with extended powers.
h) Total abolishment of the Death penalty for women.
i) Most political leaders in legislature, civic servants, security sector must no longer involve themselves in politics or be impartial.
j) A National Peace Commission that will deal with transitional justice issues.
k) A National Prosecuting Authority and reduced power for the Attorney General.
l) An independent complaints commission so we can hold security sector accountable.
m) An expanded bill of rights, including social, economic, political and cultural rights.
n) The right to demonstrate and petition and rights to liberty more clearly defined.
o) A non-discrimination clause and 16 official languages.
p) Domestication of international instruments to which Zimbabwe is a signatory.
q) A  Constitutional and Electoral Court.

WOZA members provided their leadership with a mandate to begin a vote YES campaign if their main requirements were included in the draft. We wish to place on public record the following outstanding issues from our member’s requirements:

a) We do not see clearly spelt out and reduced executive presidency power, including the age limit we wanted; removal of the president
right to deploy troops and the right to make appointments.
b) More reasonable land and agricultural reform clauses
c) It is unfortunate that our view that Traditional leaders do not belong in the legislature or Senate but in their home constituencies.
d) We do not see a clearly spelt out Dual citizenship clause which shows political blinkers and short sightedness in the extreme.
WOZA will use the second all stakeholders’ process to campaign for the inclusion of these issues. In the meanwhile WOZA call for an end to
further interference, egos and political posturing.

These are our demand on the political leadership of the country:
1. No more compromises from MDC and MDC T on the draft constitution or we will refuse to accept it.
2. Zanu PF must for once allow the peoples and their own members view to carry the day. The people spoke clearly that they no longer want a
highly centralised unitary state. The child called DEVOLUTION has been born. It is a child conceived by the people, the majority being
mothers of the nation. Born out of a reluctant coupling of politicians and people. The baby’s face may not look like we wanted but it is a
citizen by birth – allow the people to give it life and help it grow.
3. We demand the 17 July 2012 draft be urgently printed in all languages and provide sufficient time to study it and advance us our political rights in section 4:24 which will allow us our right to meet and demonstrate peacefully as part of civic awareness raising role.
4. A transparent and accountable system to call for the second all stakeholders conference with full participation of all sectors of
society and provision for inclusion of stakeholder input.
5. An efficient and speed census process resulting in a proper delimitation process new voters’ roll.
6. A vote by Identity card in the referendum and an easier registration system for the election that follows.
7. We call on the SADC monitoring team to begin work and to push for full GPA implementation and an end to police harassment of WOZA
members
8. Please will members of the international community to refuse to lift sanctions until the finalisation of the Draft after the
referendum process.
9. We call on the UNDP to continue to fund the constitution making process but with conditions that make sure we have progress and the
people’s views are genuinely sought and taken into account and that there are not inflated budgets
10. WOZA call on Civic Society leaders and workers to avoid grandstanding but to take their role seriously this time round. In
1999 and 2000, there was a NO campaign which failed to correctly provide Zimbabweans with a proper picture of what was at stake. Many
of us were not properly and responsibly consulted. Please do not take people for granted this time round.

A message to the people of Zimbabwe: This is your time to shine and exercise your democracy, don’t let the politicians speak for you or
take you for granted.

Approximately 56 members of Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) – 36 women, 20 men and 10 babies – have been arrested today in Kuwadzana, Harare. They were arrested at the local Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) office in Kuwadzana as WOZA members continued their ‘power to the people’ protest campaign. The peaceful human rights defenders delivered protests notes with their demands to the ZESA officers. They are currently being held at Harare Central Police Station, where they were moved under armed guard.

This morning, at 11am, WOZA members assembled at three different ZESA offices – Kuwadzana, Warren Park and Zengeza – holding simultaneous ‘tough love’ protests. Over 470 members from 10 different areas of Harare took part in the community-level protests.

The protests at Warren Park and Zengeza took place without incident and the participants were able to disperse before police arrived. In Zengeza, about 100 members gathered inside the ZESA office while about 300 members gathered outside. They sat in for over 30 minutes awaiting a response from officials but they were not addressed. The protest notes were accepted however.

At Kuwadzana, approximately 66 members were arrested and marched to the police station, which is next door. Once at the police station, police were seen beating two members. The extent of their injuries are as yet unknown.

Lawyers have been deployed but have failed to get access. Members trying to take in food were also turned away so the group of 56 and 10 babies will go hungry tonight.

The protests signify the launch of the ‘power to the people’ by March 2008 campaign.

The contact number for Harare Central is +263 4 777777. Please call and ask why innocent men, women and babies are being arrested for addressing legitimate consumer complaints to their service provider, ZESA.