The charges against the two WOZA activists that were arrested in Mutare in December were withdrawn by the State before plea. Magodonga Mahlangu and Clara Manjengwa had 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’ after being arrested at a meeting in Sakubva on 6th December.

After spending two nights in police custody, the pair were released on bail of $5 million dollars each and were remanded to 21st December. When they appeared on 21st, they were further remanded to today, 18th January.

Following the court hearing, a closed meeting of WOZA members in Mutare was disrupted by Police Internal Security and Intelligence (PISI) officers in clear violation of the new Public Order and Security Act (POSA), which allows organisations to hold closed meetings of members without notifying the polic