Monday 5th March – 6pm
Over 100 WOZA members in Gweru marched through the centre of town this morning to launch the People’s Charter and to encourage the people of their city to join in the struggle for social justice.

They marched from the clock along Robert Mugabe Way to the Post Office, where they were stopped by police. They then dispersed in order to avoid beatings, but approximately 20 were arrested and are currently in custody. Several of those in custody were beaten, but the extent of their injuries is not yet known. Lawyers are in attendance at the police station. It appears that some of those arrested were not WOZA members but by-standers, but the details are not yet available.

Two water cannons were also out on the streets but did not deter the members from starting the protest. Neither did police knowledge of the starting point. Once members realized the original starting point had been compromised, they switched to Plan B and then back to Plan A again when police followed them.

More details will be given as they become available.