Fifteen members of Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) were arrested this afternoon in Africa Unity Square in Harare whilst waiting to check into their hotel accommodation for the People’s Convention.

The members from Bulawayo were booked into Meikles Hotel but due to processing delays, had not been able to check in and were waiting in the vicinity. Having been told to wait in Africa Unity Square by hotel security, the group was promptly approached by riot police and had their bags searched. Despite informing police that they were in Harare to attend the People’s Convention, which has police clearance, the group was arrested and taken to Harare Central Police Station. It is not clear on what grounds they were arrested.

WOZA members from all over the country are in Harare to attend the People’s Convention, the aim of which is to provide a platform for the people of Zimbabwe to discuss what they want and expect from a democratic dispensation and to provide guidelines and frameworks for all of the critical issues affecting Zimbabwe. 4,000 people are expected to attend the Convention on 8th and 9th February.

More information will be released as it becomes available.