Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) members in Harare and Bulawayo conducted their traditional Valentine’s Day protests and both protests were marred by beatings and arrests. This is the 11^th year WOZA has conducted such a protest and this year’s theme is under the theme – One Love.  One hundred and ninety five were arrested then released after some hours but one woman remains in custody.

At 2 o’clock on 13 February 2013, Harare members marched towards parliament in two separate formations.  Riot Police based at Parliament disrupted the both protests and fired 5 canisters of tear gas to disperse the over 1000 strong protest sending members and bystanders scurrying for cover. Many people were affected by the tear gas and some children were seen crying. Business came to a standstill due to this indiscriminate use of force to disrupt a peaceful protest.

Over 25 members had to seek medical attention including the 8 members who were arrested at parliament and beaten by the 8 Riot police during the 20 minute wait for the police van to take them into custody. A ninth bystander a male, had his cell phone taken and was separated from the others and beaten for over 20minutes between the police reaction group headquarters in Harare’s Cramborne Barracks and Harare Central police station.

The 8 arrested were Jennifer Williams, Magodonga Mahlangu, Clara Manjengwa, Hilda Murapa, Enia Mazambare, Tambudzai Manangazira, Siphetheni Ndlovu and Maria Majoni. As the women arrived at the Police station, the receiving police officer chided his uniformed colleagues for ‘arresting WOZA’ and told them to take them away. For over 2 hours no progress was made and it was unclear if the 8 were in detention or not but their liberty was obviously curtailed. After they were release all 9 including the bystander spent another 3 hours lodging a formal complaint about the beatings, tear gas and abuse they had suffered. A police report number is available for the complaint. All nine then were taken to hospital for treatment and x-rays for the brutality meted out on them at Parliament.

On 14February 2013 members in Bulawayo conducted their Valentine’s Day protest. Members decided to march to the police Headquarters in 9^th Avenue, at Southampton House. Members wanted to demand that the Police respond to formal complaints about police beatings and brutality. Police brutality prevailed during a Water protest on 12 November. WOZA then marched to hand over a protest on 29 November but no response was forthcoming.

The 4pm protest began with smoothly but when the 8 protest groups number 800 members neared Southampton house, Riot police swooped and began indiscriminately beating members. WOZA leaders Jenni Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu managed to regroup the protest and after many skirmishes managed to get the members to sit down on the pavement so that official proceedings could begin. As this began senior ranking officers repeated order for Riot officer to beat the two activists who were still recovering from the Harare protest assault.  Police officers began arresting any male person they observed with a camera, numbering 6.

The police boss then requested Williams to go upstairs to the officer to dialogue with the police provincial leadership. After obtaining assurances that nothing would befall the members and that the 6 men arrested would return with Williams, her and a colleague went upstairs.

The meeting was to be short-lived as the officers were obviously not cooperative and kept blocking progress by insisting on a formal letter requesting an appointment to receive feedback on the many complaint letters.  The meeting came to an abrupt end when Williams was telephoned by Magodonga Mahlangu to say all the participants had been arrested by the Riot Reaction group and taken to the Bulawayo Central Police station. Williams then walked out of the meeting and handed herself into custody with 179 other members. The 6 male members were also still in custody at Southampton house.

The same police bosses who had attempted to meet Williams, then arrived at the station and misled the meeting with Williams had been fruitful and that they did not know why or how the members came to be in the police station but that they should leave immediately. Williams then addressed members say they would leave police custody but only if the missing 6 male members were also released as they had all been together. Without any further dialogue the officers barked order to the Riot Reaction group to remove the 180 members forthwith from the police station.  A few members were then beaten again.

It transpired that of the six men that remained in custody only 1 is a WOZA members, the others bystanders who took photos of the protest. They were this night tortured by intelligence agents and then released home for the night with instructions to return at 9am on 15 February.

The woman, Bertha Sibanda is in custody for ‘indecent exposure’. She was one of the 180 in custody and she stripped naked in the police station in frustration at not having her complaints addressed. She is one of the 11 members who were in a Water protest that police violently disturbed and was subjected to tribal insults about Gukurahundi when she lost family to this massacre. complaint police harrasment to ZRP 13nov incident and Follow up letter 14 Feb13 police complaint

Meanwhile 6 members had medical attention, one of who has to have 3 teeth pulled due to batons stick injury to her mouth. Several members have reported being called by police officers requesting information about the protest plans and made the offer of money for information. Two of the calls were made from Bulawayo number 60248 Code (00 263 9). WOZA suspect this number to be of an intelligence office. WOZA invite activism to assist us in holding this intelligence office accountable for harassment and beating of WOZA members in an attempt to curtail their right to protest.

WOZA handed over their demands contained in the February 2013 Woza Moya Newsletter.  Woza Moya Feb 2013

The 16 members, six women and nine men, arrested on Tuesday afternoon for playing netball and football were all finally released this afternoon. Police harassment of WOZA continued however as two other members, Winnie Sadeya and Eurita Singemde, were arrested at lunchtime whilst taking in food to the group. The two women are still in custody tonight.

Six members, who had been tortured and were in a lot of pain, paid admission of guilt fines and were released earlier today. Three of these members received medical attention; two for beatings on the soles of their feet and the third potentially has a broken hand from beaten with a baton stick.

The circumstances of the release of the remaining ten were not clear as the support team awaiting their release had to leave town after being chased by Law and Order officers. The lawyer had indicated that when was leaving the station, the group had been instructed to remain behind to await a lecture by Dispol (the district police authority) about their behaviour. It seems that the authorities in Masvingo are extremely rattled by social netball and football – sports fans beware!

AT 10am 7 May 1400 members from Bulawayo civic organisations including WOZA members marched to demand an apology from President Robert Mugabe for tribal slurs made at the SADC summit.

First stop after the march started was at the Human Rights Commission offices along Fife Street. Commissioners did not come out to address the peaceful citizens. Fortunately an ‘early bird’ had already dropped in before the protest to deliver the petition.

The procession then proceeded to the Mhlahlandlela government complex to deliver a petition to government to disassociate themselves with the president’s insults. At the complex 12 anti-riot police officers blocked the gate into the complex refusing to allow any delegation to go in to hand over the petition to the resident minister Ms. Sandi or welcome her to address the crowd. Fortunately a copy had already made its way by early bird into her office.

Members sang song calling for unity of all Zimbabweans and an end to discrimination. Several civic leaders address the crowd calling for the president to apologise soon. Leaders also detailed the long track record of tribal and racial discrimination suffered by Zimbabweans and said enough was enough.

A young Kalanga lady speaking in the Kalanga language also addressed the crowd. She said that it was Mugabe’s intention to push people out of Zimbabwe that is why he has dis-invested the building of schools in Matabeleland causing challenges in people of Matabeleland getting an education.

The procession peacefully dispersed with police officers remaining in position at the government complex gate.

WOZA wish to thank the Zimbabwe Republic Police for practising restraint today unlike the Valentine’s Day procession where they forcefully pushed WOZA members out to the industrial area beating those who tried to divert to their commuter points.
CSOs Petition to the Human Rights Commission of Zimbabwe

CSOs Petition to the Government of Zimbabwe

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I, the undersigned, hereby declare my endorsement for the People’s Charter launched by Zimbabweans and delivered to Parliament on 12 December 2006. We join Zimbabweans in calling upon all leaders in Zimbabwe to end their selfish bickering and focus their energy on delivering what the people want. The people have spoken and we will help amplify their voices as they face daily hardship, poverty and tyranny. Actions speak louder than words!

Join WOZA!

Download and complete the Sisterhood Bond in your language.

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Post it to us at:
WOZA/MOZA, P.O. Box FM701, Famona, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe

Isibopho Sabomama (Sisterhood Bond)

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WOMEN OF ZIMBABWE ARISE – WOZA
P. O. Box FM 701, Famona, Bulawayo
By Women for Women and with Women, across Race, Colour, Creed, Class or Political Persuasion. Empowering Women to be Courageous, Caring, Committed and in Communication with their Communities.

WOZA SISTERS
ISIBOPHO SABOMAMA

Ibizo Lami ……………………………………………………………………………………………

Ngiyathembisa ukuthi ngizasebenza kanzima ukuthi ngimele njalo ngixhase odadewethu. Ngizakuba lesandla ekuxhaseni odadewethu kumzabalazo, simanyene sizafika kubanga linye lozulu wonke. Simanyene njalo, sizaletha ukuthula, ukwahlulelwa okusobala, le ngqubela phambili ye Zimbabwe.

Njengokuqhubeka komzabalazo wethu, ngizaqhubeka ngilandela izinqumo lezi:

1. Ngizakhuluma kuzwakale, kumbe santando, ngikhuthaza amanye amakhosikazi ukuthi enze okufanayo. Njalo ilizwi labo lizwakale bangafi bethule. “Umtwana ongakhaliyo ufela embelekweni”.
2. Ukubuthana labanye ngokuthula njalo sixoxa ngokuthi sizakwenzani ngokusihluphayo, kulokuthi sihlale sikhonona kuphela.
3. Ngibelihlombe lokweyama kulabo abahlukuluzekileyo, njalo ngilalelisise. “Udubo oluchathekelenweyo luba yingxenye”.
4. Ngitshengise uthando lesibindi ngekhaya lesigabeni ukuze ngisuse ukwesaba okusebantwini.
5. Amakhosikazi ngomama besizwe, ngakho kumele baqakathekiswe.
6. Ukuba ngummeli wokungabi lodlakela, ukuze abantu babone ukuthi singenelisa ukuhluza okusihluphayo ngokuthula.
7. Ukudinga kanye lokusekela abanye omama abalombono ofanayo.
8. Ukwazi lokwesaba uNkulunkulu, kanye lokukhuthaza izenzo eziphakamisa impilakahle yomoya.
9. Ukukhankasela ukubaluleka ekwenzeni, lokubekezelela imbono lemicabango eyehlukeneyo.
10. “Ukulimala koyedwa, yikulimala kwethu sonke”

Ngiyathembisa!

Yimi: ………………………………………………… Mhlaka: …………………………………………

Umfakazi: ………………………………………… Umfakazi: ……………………………………

Copyright © 2004

Charges against eight WOZA members and two lawyers have been acquited. The ‘Valentine 10’ were initially removed off remand on 28th April 2009 but were then served with summons to re-appear in Harare Magistrate’s Court on 19 May 2009. The trial began immediately with state witnesses giving evidence. The matter was then adjourned to 28 May but Magistrate Moses Murendo ruled to acquit the activists. He even went further by telling the women to ‘go and buy more roses and to spread love’, leaving Prosecutor Ms Ngoma unable to secure a conviction.

The group of 10 had been arrested on 10th February after an early Valentine’s Day protest in Harare. They were facing charges under Section 37 1 a i) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act – ‘disturbing the peace, security or order of the public’. They were represented by Andrew Makoni.

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On the Thursday 14th May 2009 the ‘Education Five’ appeared in Harare Magistrate’s Court. Their lawyer, Alec Muchadehama, successfully applied to have them removed off remand. The state will have to proceed by way of summons if they wish to proceed. The human rights defenders were arrested on 25 February 2009 outside the Ministry of Education. The Education Five face the same charges of disturbing the peace, security or order of the public.

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Supreme Court Judge Godfrey Chidyausiku heard the urgent order to suspend the trial of Jenni Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu pending the outcome of an application under Section 24 (1) of the Constitution. He ruled to halt trial proceedings until a ruling on a constitutional matter has been handed down. The constitutional application will be heard on 4th June 2009 by the full bench of the Constitutional Court.

Justice Chidyausiku approved the draft order to grant Williams and Mahlangu the right to approach the court directly after Bulawayo Magistrate Msipa had ruled that a constitutional case was frivolous and vexations. The application was made in terms of Section 24 (1) of the Constitution – applicants can apply directly to the Supreme Court if they feel that they are still aggrieved.

The duo last appeared in court on 30 April 2009 and were remanded out of custody to 7th July 2009 to await the ruling from the Supreme Court. A copy of the urgent application and constitutional application can be found in the Legal Documents folder to the right.

The United Nations International Day of Peace is commemorated on September 21. This “Peace Day” provides an opportunity for individuals, organizations and nations to create practical acts of peace. In 2002 the General Assembly officially declared September 21 as the permanent date for the International Day of Peace. By creating the International Day of Peace, the UN devoted itself to worldwide peace and encouraged all of mankind to work in cooperation for this goal. The UN Resolution suggested that: “Peace Day should be devoted to commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace both within and among all nations and peoples…This day will serve as a reminder to all peoples that our organization, with all its limitations, is a living instrument in the service of peace and should serve all of us here within the organization as a constantly pealing bell reminding us that our permanent commitment, above all interests or differences of any kind, is to peace.”

As Zimbabweans commemorate ‘Peace Day’, it is a year after the global political agreement (GPA) was signed on 15 September 2008. This deal was supposed to bring peace to Zimbabwe. The United Nations theme this year is: Better than a thousand empty words is ONE WORD that brings peace. The GPA contains 6,567 words but we are yet to see if these words really stand for peace. Because we are still waiting for peace, WOZA and MOZA members decided to choose a theme that shows the politicians how they can bring meaning to their words: Our theme: Social Justice will bring Peace of Mind

What does PEACE mean to us. It is peace that allows us to LIVE and to feel dignified. These are the social, economic and political promises of the GPA. WOZA and MOZA have a very simple way of explaining SOCIAL JUSTICE – it is the ‘BREAD and ROSES’ we always talk about. When we talk of ‘bread’, we mean basic commodities and ‘roses’, our rights and equal opportunities delivered and protected by a constitution which houses laws that we have written.

The power sharing government must prioritise social justice if they can deliver PEACE OF MIND to Zimbabweans. We ask the United Nations to intervene so that the following issues are URGENTLY attended to for our PEACE OF MIND.
1.    The power sharing government must STOP the harassment of vendors and ordinary Zimbabweans by POLICE – we all need PEACE OF MIND. The GPA promised retraining of Police – when is this going to start?
2.    Please could the UN intervene to urgently investigate the chaos in the education system. How can we have PEACE OF MIND when our children’s education is sacrificed for political gain?
3.    It is a daily worry of how we will cope with illness because we know the state of our hospitals – we need PEACE OF MIND to remain well. Please could the UN intervene to reorganise the health system. Even in death Zimbabweans cannot rest in peace – The mortuaries are overflowing and rats are feeding off our loved ones bodies.

As we commemorate Peace Day we are desperate to write our own constitution and are impatient to attend the consultation meetings; we are praying that our words will be respected when the final draft is written. WOZA and MOZA will mobilise against any attempt to fast track the Kariba Draft. We are no longer interested in negotiating – we demand a new constitution that includes:
•    The clear separation of powers and independence of the judiciary
•    A shorter term of office for the executive and a maximum age of 65 years
•    Dual citizenship – a constitution that protects right to citizenship
•    The following rights guaranteed by law: equality in all forms; right to education, health, housing and shelter, right to language and culture and caters for disadvantaged groups.

This is our Prayer for Peace Day 2009:
Lord Almighty; watch over your children as the enemy of peace strikes. Hold back the intention and action to harm and destroy your creation. Lord, touch the heart and mind of the doer, to feel guilt and stop at once. Lord, hear our prayers and serve our nation. Amen

Dr. Agostinho Zacarias
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

Ms Agnes Asekongye Oonyu
United Nations office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)

Dear Dr Zacarias and Madam Asekongye Oonyu,

Re: The People’s Charter – a blueprint for a better Zimbabwe

The women and men of WOZA have initiated a non-violent campaign with the aim of mobilising Zimbabweans to demand social justice from their leaders. The time has come to put the past behind us and start building a better tomorrow. We plan to hold existing leaders accountable and mobilise people to demand leaders who will deliver all aspects of social justice and a genuinely people-driven constitution. We need help from international friends however and this is why we are approaching you.

Our resolution was made after an eleven-month, nationwide consultation process. During 2006, over 284 meetings, consulting almost 10,000 rural and urban people on social justice were conducted. The people spoke clearly about what they want in a new Zimbabwe and their contributions formed the People’s Charter, which is attached below.

As Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) and Men of Zimbabwe Arise (MOZA) take to the streets of Bulawayo and Harare today to mark WOZA’s fifth Valentine’s Campaign, they will be marching with the theme ‘The People’s Charter – giving you a better life, a better Zimbabwe’.

In Harare, the protest is starting outside the offices of the UNDP. In WOZA’s first Valentine’s campaign in 2003, then Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, was chosen as WOZA’s ‘valentine’ and a petition delivered to the UNDP at the start of the demonstration. It was decided that it was therefore fitting to go back to where it all began in this, WOZA’s fifth year.

Five years later as we march in our Valentines Day procession, Zimbabwe is in even worse a position than what originally drove the women of this country to take a stand against the deteriorating situation in their homeland. We therefore ask that you consider this Charter to be a plea to the United Nations from the people of Zimbabwe. It is what the people want for their future – it is what we believe can bring a better Zimbabwe. We ask that you consider the Charter as the voices of ordinary Zimbabweans asking your organization to use whatever influence it can to bring about the socially just future we all desire.

Please open up your heart and read it sincerely knowing that it contains the dreams and desires of a heartbroken nation.

Yours faithfully,

Members and supporters of Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) and Men of Zimbabwe Arise

The 83 members arrested on 20th September appeared in Harare Magistrate’s Court in a remand hearing before Magistrate Vongai Muchuchuti this morning. The 76 women and seven men were arrested after a peaceful demonstration calling for community safety on International Peace Day and spent two nights in custody in Harare Central Police Station before being released on free bail. The activists were further remanded out of custody to 3rd November. 

The group has been charged under the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, Chapter 46, as read with Section 2(v) of the Third Schedule to the Criminal Code – ‘criminal nuisance’.

For the full list of demands that WOZA members were carrying during the protest and for more information on WOZA’s observations of police behaviour in Harare and Bulawayo over the last four months, click here: Woza Moya Sep-10

For more information on the ZRP Service Charter, Service Standards or the SARPCCO Harare Protocol Code of Conduct, click on the following links: ZRP Service Charter, ZRP Service Standards, SARPCCO Hre Protocol-Code of Conduct