The seven members arrested yesterday in Bulawayo are spending a second night in custody. Their lawyers were denied access to the group all day and they still have not received medical treatment. Food was allowed in this evening under the escort of the lawyer. It is still not clear what the group will be charged with but it is hoped that they will be taken to court in the morning.

Please keep calling Bulawayo Central Police Station on +263 9 72515 / 61706 to demand that the women be allowed access to their lawyers and to medical treatment.

News update
Thursday 7th – 1.30pm

The seven members arrested yesterday remain in custody at Bulawayo Central. Lawyers have been denied access to their clients this morning and police are refusing to discuss possible charges or the possibility of being taken to court. The 11am deadline for court submissions has passed and therefore the group will not be taken to court today.

Two of the members in custody were badly beaten during their arrest and are in a lot of pain. As the lawyer has been denied access to them, they have not received any medical treatment. Food has also been denied this lunchtime, although there were no problems taking in food at breakfast or dinner last night.

At least 20 members have sought medical attention for the beatings they received yesterday. Most injuries involve soft-tissue bruising; no severe injuries have been reported as yet. Many of these members have testified that as they were being beaten, police were telling them that police do not want to arrest WOZA members any more as they are too troublesome. It is their intention to ‘just beat them’.

Update
SEVENTEEN members of Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) arrested at 8:30am 19 Jan 2012 have now all been released from custody. The police are to proceed by way of summons if they can unearth an offence once the investigation is complete. WOZA is deeply concerned at the treatment of our young members, five of whom are deeply traumatised.
WOZA leaders met the activists to hear their testimonies. Many of the young women were wearing an identical and fashionable blouse – that seemed to make them stand out for arrest.

Nicole and Patience received the brunt of the violence and told chilling accounts. A female officer based at  Donnington police station – officer Matshaya set upon some of the members standing at the complex and beckoned to them loudly announcing  ‘WOZA people today I am going to fix you’. The disciplined non violent activists were then bundled into a van and taken to Donnington Police station.

Matshaya and 5 other officers then proceeded to torture the women by making them sit still on ‘air chairs’, a very painful position.  The six officers forced over the head of Nicole a plastic bag ordering her to kick her foot when ready to ‘talk’ before she suffocates.  One officer knocked a broomstick on the heads of others all the while threatening them to admit to planning a protest. They were not planning a protest and even if they were participating in a peaceful protest is not illegal in Zimbabwe.  They had merely gone to the shopping centre upon hearing that there would be a sale.

Officer Matshaya then escorted the members to Central Police station where Officer George Levison Ngwenya of Law and Order was ready to receive them. He set upon Patience Mahlangu beating her and drawing blood accusing her of being a Satanist. All the 16 were threatened and harassed as their details were being recorded.  The single male member was separated and released.

Officer Ngwenya then announced to the your women – ‘ we are going to remove your panties and beat your bottoms. Fortunately the lawyer arrived at that moment and the officers then had to back down.  The lawyers remained with the activists through the recording of profile information. The police also insisted that they will photograph the activist so that they can be identified in any future demonstration.

As the activists left the police station at 330pm, Officer Ngwenya followed them outside to tell them ‘when you see me around town don’t hate me I was just doing my job’. WOZA question when the job of a police officer changed to a perpetrator of violence and torturer of women?

Meanwhile WOZA leaders Jennifer Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu will appear in Tredgold Magistrates court at 9am 20 January 2012 for Magistrate Sangweni to read his reasons for dismissing the application for discharge at close of state case in a continuation of the Kidnap and Theft Trial.

1pm 19 January 2012
SEVENTEEN members of Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) were arrested at 8:30am by plain clothed police officers from Donnington Police station in Bulawayo. At least 3 were assaulted by arresting police before the whole lot were transferred to Bulawayo central law and order department. They were taken to Law and Order Department and notorious officer George Levison Ngwenya took up the matter. Two more members were beaten.  The single male members was then separated and released after an hour leaving the 16. The members are at this time being made to answer profile questions and finger printed and photographed.  It is unclear if they will be detained or what the charges could be. The members were picked up standing around or sitting separately at a shopping centre in the Industrial sites. WOZA note that once again the Officer Ngwenya is overzealous and assaults members in his ongoing personal vendetta against WOZA members. Whilst WOZA is happy that the male member who is very unwell was released, we note the blatant abuse of female members. WOZA also note that in the last 2 week there has been an increase of stop and search of people going about their business and many citizens have been beaten in the street for no apparent reason. There seems to be an unwritten law against walking around the city. WOZA call on the police commissioner to clarify if this is an official order or merely excessive use of force by police officers such as Ngwenya.

WOZA leaders Jenni Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu returned to court today, January 16 2012 in order to hear the magistrate’s ruling on their application to dismiss their case without being put on their defence.  After a fortnight of waiting,  WOZA expected the magistrate,  Mr Goodluck Sangweni, to rule in their favour,  since the state had presented no evidence that could support the charges of kidnap and theft.  However,  to everyone’s surprise,  the magistrate said that he believed the aims of justice would be served by putting the accused on their defence.

The defence lawyer, Kossam Ncube, asked for the magistrate to give his reasons for this unexpected decision.  Explaining that there is no appeal process, Ncube advised that he would seek to apply to the High court to review the Magistrates decision and needed a written copy of reasons for dismissal of the application.  The magistrate then agreed to present his reasons in writing on Friday, January 20. WOZA are intrigued to find out the reasons he has, and  expect Ncube to speedily apply to the High Court for review.  The review procedure is followed when there appears to be either bias or irregularity in the proceedings of a case.

WOZA leaders Jennifer Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu appeared before Magistrate, Mr. Goodluck Sangweni at Tredgold Regional Court facing Kidnapping and Theft charges. The Trial resumes on 16 January 2012.

The Defence Lawyer Kossam Ncube made an application for the two to be discharged on both counts at the close of the state case. He argues that the state had failed to establish a prima facie case against the two accused. He cited inconsistencies and contradictions between the witness statements to court and to the police and how the witnesses also contradicted each other. He dealt with both counts separately outlining the inconsistencies. One glaring inconsistency being Emma Mabena statement to police wherein according to the statement she was pushed and pulled into the vehicle but in her evidence to the court she said no one had forced her or threatened her in anyway.

The defence lawyer also said the prosecution had gone on a fishing expedition and that a reasonable court could not convict the accused.  “Your worship to note that all 3 state witnesses disowned their statements that they gave to the police indicating that they did not tell the police particular aspects of their statements and in some cases there seemed to be additions to their statements which witnesses clearly denied having given to the police. Clearly that raises a lot of eyebrows on the part of the state case where it would seem the police could have made additions to their statements or changed statements for unknown reasons. A case in point that Emma Mabena said she never told the police that she was forced into the vehicle and that no one ever threatened to assault her or take her somewhere and she would never come back. “

State prosecutor Mr Goodwill Katenaire requested a 45 minute break and then opposed the application in submissions that were often made in the format of a witness of the events rather than a prosecutor. He seemed to be determined to enter his own evidence into the case and left people in the court wondering where he had been when witnesses had made their statements. His desperation to obtain a conviction was evident as he manufactured his own accusations against the accused that there had been no verbal or written evidence by any witness in any of the court hearings. He accused Jennifer Williams of introducing her 2 colleagues as police officers when no witness had ever made this accusation. He justified this by saying that the ‘demeanour’ of the accused lent itself to the belief that they were police officers. Mr Katenaire also manufactured evidence on behalf of Emma Mabhena saying that she refused on several occasions to accompany the accused to Nketa to the home of Bokani Nleya.

In court evidence witnesses clearly stated that none of the accused had ever identified the other 2 ladies in the vehicle. Emma Mabhena in her evidence said she thought to herself the other unidentified people could be police as she had been told by her daughter in law that Williams and her colleagues were looking for stolen goods and decided that something was seriously wrong so she should accompany the accused.  She further testified going to the neighbours to inform them that she was going out for awhile.

The Magistrate will give his ruling on the application for discharge at close of state case on 16 January 2012.

Seven WOZA members remain in custody in Bulawayo tonight. Reports that 20 members were arrested were inaccurate as the women seen entering Bulawayo Central Police Station were not WOZA members. The members that remain in Bulawayo Central are all women, including Jenni Williams, Magodonga Mahlangu, Angeline Karuru and Rosemary Siziba.

The lawyers in attendance have seen the group but police are refusing to discuss possible charges at this stage. Although the five arrested at the scene of the demonstration were all beaten during their arrest, the extent of their injuries is not clear. Food has been allowed in this evening.

Seven members have been treated for injuries they received from beatings but we are still waiting for reports on their injuries.

It also appears that in the immediate aftermath of the demonstrations, a police van was seen driving around central Bulawayo with a loudhailer telling citizens not to pick up the WOZA flyers and placards. This is particularly interesting as a group of approximately 20 riot police were seen avidly reading the placards and flyers left by the demonstrators.

Concerns remain for the welfare of those in custody, particularly in the current state of repression and in the light of the threats made against Williams and Mahlangu by members of the Zimbabwe Republic Police. Please call Bulawayo Central on +263 9 72515 / 61706 to remind them that the world is watching.

1. We will not harm anyone, and we will not retaliate in reaction to violence.
2. We will be honest and will treat every person with respect, especially law officers.
3. We will express our feelings but will not harbour hatred.
4. We will be alert to people around us and will provide needed assistance.
5. As peacekeepers we will protect others from insults and violence.
6. During a demonstration we will not run nor make threatening motions.
7. If we see a demonstrator threatening anyone, we will intervene to calm down the situation. If demonstrators become violent, and we cannot stop it, we will withdraw.
8. We will not steal, and we will not damage property.
9. We will not carry any weapons.
10. We will not bring or use any alcohol or drugs, other than for medical purposes.
11. We will keep the agreements we make with other demonstrators. In the event of a serious disagreement, we may withdraw.
12. We will accept responsibility for our nonviolent actions, and we will not lie nor use deception to escape the consequences of our actions.

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Approximately 20 members of Women and Men of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA/MOZA) were arrested in Bulawayo today. Amongst those arrested are Jenni Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu, who handed themselves in at Bulawayo Central in solidarity with a group that had been arrested earlier.

Members of WOZA and MOZA had conducted a peaceful, silent march through Bulawayo to launch their ’10 Steps to a New Zimbabwe’, a position on the current talks. Two groups had started at different locations but were both marching towards the offices of The Chronicle, a government-owned newspaper. One group was met by riot police after one block and was beaten and dispersed. The other group managed to march for two blocks before again being met by riot police and beaten. A group of 15-20 was arrested and walked to Bulawayo Central Police Station.

Hearing of the arrests, the rest of the demonstrators regrouped, marched to Bulawayo Central and tried to hand themselves in. Police refused them entrance, grabbing only Williams and Mahlangu. When the rest of the group tried to follow them into the station, police at the gates began to viciously beat people to disperse them.

Several people are already receiving medical attention for the beatings they received. It is not clear if any of those arrested require medical attention. Human rights lawyers are in attendance.

WOZA had marched 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. Please see below for WOZA’s ’10 steps to a new Zimbabwe’ and for the nonviolent guidelines that WOZA always operates under.

More news will be made available as details emerge.

Please call Bulawayo Central +263 9 72515 and ask them to release the WOZA members immediately.

Overcoming Fear

With thanks to Centre For Applied Nonviolent Action and Strategies (CANVAS)

WOZA has been reading and hearing about “the talks” and wish to express our views about these.

Firstly, we would like to know exactly what South African President Thabo Mbeki, Tanzanian President Kikwete and our SADC brothers and sisters want to achieve by their mediation. Is their role to bring about a new government without any political, economic and social reform? Or is their objective something more meaningful? To establish themselves as genuine mediators, they should secure the cooperation of the present government in allowing the transitional process to go ahead without interference and press them to step down from office to allow for an effective transition. We shall continue to pressure them to do this, thereby paving the way for a Zimbabwe where all Zimbabweans can enjoy equality and live with dignity.

What is our role as ordinary Zimbabweans, carrying the heaviest burdens and finding it impossible to survive?
Our role can be described in this way. We know where the fireplace is and that there is a pot boiling. We have not been consulted about what is to be cooked and who is to eat the meal when it is ready. While waiting to be called to the table to share the meal, we are busy collecting firewood and bringing it to the fireside so that those currently doing the cooking see it and put it in the fire. If the fire starts to go out, it will be our firewood that is used to light it again so that the pot can keep boiling. When the meal is cooked we will demand a place at the table to share in the meal cooked with our firewood. If the meal is badly cooked, we will refuse to eat and ask them for a better recipe. And just a reminder that mothers make the most memorable meals!

We can go further to say that those mediating the talks, and the politicians involved, should be thinking of the following ingredients if the meal is to be delicious and enjoyed by all Zimbabweans:

1. Violence, in all its forms, should be stopped to allow for a transitional process that can begin the healing process.
2. An all-stakeholders’ conference should be convened with the following participants: all political parties, non-governmental organisation, churches, labour, business, youth and women all meeting on an equal basis. Their agenda is to devise a transitional process consisting of putting in place an interim authority and outlining a process of constitution making. The interim authority should undertake the following:
3. Assume legislative power; repeal oppressive legislation against freedom of expression and assembly such as the Public Order and Security Act (POSA) and Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA). We also call for an end to the selective application of other laws.
4. Conduct an audit of civil servants, the judiciary and law enforcement agents as to their professional and non-partisan conduct. Offenders should be sent to re-training/community service or for prosecution. The youth militia should be disbanded and the defence forces should be confined to barracks for retraining.
5. Begin the process of re-engaging the international community with a view to rehabilitating the economy aimed at job creation.
6. Carry out a land audit to lay the basis for a permanent and equitable solution to land reform, while promoting immediate resumption of food production.
7. Initiate a constitution-making process, including a plan for transitional justice, consulting all Zimbabweans both at home and abroad.
8. Take the resulting constitutional and transitional justice proposals to a referendum supervised by Southern African Development Community (SADC).
9. Prepare for elections, including reconstituting the Registrar General’s department, preparing new electoral laws, appointing an independent electoral commission and delimitation commission to prepare an electoral roll and prepare for the election. We will be saying good riddance to Tobaiwa Mudede and his crooked systems.
10. Ensure elections are conducted according to the SADC protocols and under international and regional supervision with international and local observers. The interim authority will then hand over to the winners of the election.