It has been established that five WOZA members and three journalists were arrested after six peaceful protests were violently broken up by police in Harare today. Four women, including Clara Manjengwa and Maria Majoni, remain in custody in Harare Central Police Station. One woman who had been arrested with her baby, and the three journalists, have been released.
The four women who remain in custody have all been badly beaten and are in severe pain. All had been processed to be taken to Parirenyatwa Hospital when Law and Order officers instructed that they were no longer allowed to receive medical treatment. The women’s lawyer, Beatrice Mtetwa, was informed by Law and Order officer, Mundondo, that is was because Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) had “stage-managed” the peaceful protests to embarrass the authorities during the visit of Amnesty International Secretary-General, Irene Khan. Ms Khan had been giving a press conference just prior to the start of the protests before leaving the country.
The peaceful protests had been held to commemorate International Refugee Day, held annually on 20th June. WOZA traditionally marks International Refugee Day as we believe Zimbabweans are refugees in their own country – displaced, unsettled and insecure. The aim of these peaceful protests in Bulawayo and Harare was to remind the inclusive government and the world that the people of Zimbabwean remain the victims of this crisis. ALL Zimbabweans deserve to enjoy the full rights of citizenship; amongst others, the right to earn a living, the right to personal security and the right to adequate shelter. The actions of the police in both Harare and Bulawayo, and Officer Mundondo in particular, are further evidence that the Zimbabwean authorities have no intention of treating Zimbabweans as citizens with rights and continue to act with impunity.
The three journalists, including one from the state-owned Herald newspaper, were arrested for covering the protests and the brutal beatings that ensued. When police established that one of the journalists was from The Herald, they tried to release only him. The other two (independent) journalists refused to accept this and all three were released without charge.
Having established that all four arrested members were in severe pain, defence lawyers arranged for them to be taken to hospital. The women had been processed to be taken and were informed that the delay was only due to waiting for an appropriate escort when police abruptly changed their mind – punishing the women for “embarrassing the state”. Ms Mtetwa was also warned that police are considering bringing charges against ZLHR for “stage-managing” the protests.
It is thought that the women are being charged with disturbing the peace – Section 37 1 a of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, despite the fact that WOZA leaders recently appealed these charges at the Supreme Court and had been informed that the charges do not apply to peaceful protest.
The members still in custody in Bulawayo are facing the same charges and are expected to be taken to court tomorrow morning.
Please phone Harare Central Police Station on +263 4 777777 to demand that the four women be released immediately so that may receive medical treatment. Ask Officer Mundondo why these innocent women are being punished for asking to be treated with dignity.