13 WOZA women and one man remain in custody ten days after being arrested on May 28th. They were participating in a demonstration calling on the government of Zimbabwe to stop the orchestrated violence in the run-up to the presidential run-off election. The women are being held at Chikurubi Prison, in the women’s remand section, while the man is held at Harare Remand Prison.

On May 30 they were admitted to bail in the magistrate’s court, but the State immediately indicated that they would appeal, and were given seven court days to file. The appeal will now be heard on Tuesday, June 10. However, the State has still not filed their papers, saying they will be filed on Monday, with the result that the lawyer from Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights acting on their behalf has not been able to view the State’s arguments opposing bail. Meanwhile all the accused appeared in the magistrate’s court on Friday June 6 and were routinely remanded until June 20. It is our hope however, that the State’s case against bail will fail when it is heard on the 10th, and all will be released.

The demonstration for which they were arrested took place in the context of escalating state-sponsored violence against the opposition MDC, a campaign designed to destroy party structures and intimidate voters not to support the opposition candidate Morgan Tsvangirai when the run-off election is held June 27th. More than 50 opposition activists have been killed, thousands have been tortured and injured and tens of thousands have been displaced from their homes, making it impossible for them to vote. WOZA was protesting against this violence when they were arrested. Since their arrest the violence has increased and many more victims have poured into clinics, hospitals, and morgues, homes have been burned and families displaced.

All of the arrested face charges of participating in a public gathering with the intent to provoke public violence. Jennifer Williams faces two additional counts of causing disaffection among the police and publishing false statements prejudicial to the state. The charges are based on legislation clearly in breach of the Zimbabwean constitution, which guarantees freedom of expression and freedom of assembly. If they are brought to trial, the constitutionality of these sections of the law will be challenged.

In spite of the stringent conditions which exist in Zimbabwean prisons, all the WOZA members are in good spirits and strong in their commitment to resist oppression and work for social justice. They continue to be visited and taken food. When at the prison they are permitted to eat, but on the day they were taken to court they were refused food while other prisoners were eating, because they are “political”.

WOZA believes that in the current conditions no election can fairly reflect the will of the Zimbabwean people. ZANU PF was the clear loser in the March 29th elections but they continue to hold the people hostage. WOZA calls on the international community to recognize the need to find ways to stop the violence, and introduce a healing period under the auspices of an internationally-authorised transitional government. Only then will it be possible to return to a viable electoral process to determine the genuine wishes of the Zimbabwean people.

We also call on the international community to lend support to those WOZA and MOZA members brave enough to stand up publicly in their own terrorized nation to protest the violent actions of a ZANU PF government which has lost the mandate to rule.

A demonstration by WOZA and MOZA members in Harare on Wednesday May 28 resulted in the arrest of 13 women and 1 man, all of whom remain in custody up to today, Monday June 2.  The demonstration was held to commemorate Africa Day, mourning the lack of anything to celebrate,  and to protest against the political violence being perpetrated in the weeks leading up to the Presidential run-off election of June 27.

Approximately 200 members were stopped by the police as they marched in the street in central Harare carrying placards and distributing flyers.  Specific members were targeted for arrest, including Jenni Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu.  Three were assaulted during interrogation, but they were not seriously injured.  All were first brought to court on Friday afternoon, several hours after the 48 hour limit, where they were remanded until the following day to make a bail application.  On Saturday they were granted bail by the magistrate, Rusinahama.  Jenni Williams’ bail was set at $10,000,000,000 ($US20) and for the other 13 at $5,000,000,000 ($US10).  All were also to turn in their passports.  However, the prosecutor then announced that the state would appeal against bail, so all 14 were remanded in custody until June 6, 2008.  While the single man is being held at Harare Remand prison, the ladies are all at the women’s remand section of Chikurubi.

All 14 have been charged under s 37 1c (ii) of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act (formerly part of the Public Order and Security Act) – “Participating in a gathering with intent to promote public violence, breach of the peace or bigotry”.  This offence involves “acting with one or more others,…. intending or realizing that there is a risk of forcibly disturbing the peace, security or order of the public”.  Some of those arrested were not participating in the demonstration, but were arrested at gun point while inside a vehicle. They included the driver of the vehicle.  The vehicle was seized.

Jenni also has two other charges under the same Act:  s 30  – “Causing disaffection among the Police Force or Defence Forces”.  This charge was leveled as a result of one paragraph of the flyer which was being distributed by the demonstrators.  This paragraph was addressed to the uniformed forces and included the following words:  “We ask them to respect that Zimbabweans have voted for change and refrain from being used to perpetrate violence and to carry out injustices”.  She is likewise charged under s 31 (a) (i)  with “Publishing or communicating false statements prejudicial to the State”.  This charge apparently relates to a flyer from another organisation of which she had one copy in her handbag; however she has been accused of distributing it as well.

It will be noted that all of these sections of the Act infringe on Zimbabweans’ basic right to freedom of expression guaranteed by the Declaration of Rights in our constitution.  Similar sections of the notorious Law and Order (Maintenance) Act were previously judged unconstitutional by the Zimbabwean Supreme Court, but they were re-enacted in the Public Order and Security Act.  The constitutionality of these re-enacted sections has yet to be tested in the courts.

All of the detained members of WOZA and MOZA are being visited and taken food and are in good spirits and well.  It is expected that the State’s appeal will be heard before the end of this week, and it is hoped that the appeal will be rejected and the bail conditions  upheld, so that those currently detained can await further developments out of custody.  We salute those brave members of WOZA and MOZA who dare to stand up and make public their concerns about the perilous state in which most Zimbabweans are now living.  May all Zimbabweans be inspired by their actions.

In her judgement that was delayed from Monday, Magistrate Rose Dube ruled this morning that the two WOZA members arrested last week for distributing materials likely to cause a breach of the peace should go on trial and set the trial date for 23rd June.

Trust Moyo and Cynthia Ncube had been arrested in Bulawayo last Monday, 5th May, after a demonstration calling for an end to the recent spate of politically motivated violence.

The two are charged under Section 37 1(b) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act – ‘… distributes or displays any writing, sign or other visible representation that is obscene, threatening, abusive or insulting, intending thereby to provoke a breach of the peace…’

The defence had argued that materials carried by the two were not ‘obscene, threatening, abusive or insulting’ and therefore the charges should be dropped. The Magistrate ruled that as the two had not denied carrying the materials, a trial was necessary to decide whether the messages were obscene etc. The materials in question are a banner stating ‘we want bread and roses’ and a newsletter that includes the sentence; “we immediately call on Robert Mugabe to hand over power to the winner of the presidential election, Morgan Tsvangirai”.

To read a copy of the newsletter that is deemed to be ‘ obscene, threatening, abusive or insulting’, click here. Woza Moya English May 2008

In a surprising development, the two WOZA members, Trust Moyo and Cynthia Ncube, who were arrested on Monday after a peaceful demonstration calling for an end to politically motivated violence, were taken to trial this afternoon at Bulawayo Magistrate’s Court.

The two had presented themselves to Bulawayo Central Police Station this morning as demanded as part of their conditions of release. They were informed that they would still be charged under Section 37 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act – ‘distributing materials likely to cause a breach of the peace’ and the police now had their documentation in order.

On going to court mid-morning, the lawyer was informed that the State wished to fast-track the case and that the trial would begin at 11.15 this morning. Neither the magistrate nor the court interpreter appeared however and the trial was postponed to 2.15pm. When attempts were made by the defence to postpone the hearing until tomorrow, the prosecutor, Andrew Marimo, replied that he was acting under strict instruction that the trial begins today.

The trial finally began in front of a packed court room (many of whom were WOZA members coming to give solidarity to their comrades) with Magistrate Rose Dube presiding. The charges stated that that the material that the two were carrying, namely a banner stating that ‘we want bread and roses’ and the Woza Moya newsletter, were obscene, abusive, threatening or insulting and intended a provoke a breach a peace. The line from the newsletter that the State had highlighted was “we immediately call on Robert Mugabe to hand over power to the winner of the presidential election, Morgan Tsvangirai”. The prosecutor attempted to argue that this line contravened laws that state that no one should announce the results of the election before the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC).

Mr Kacaca Phulu from Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights represented the two WOZA members. His defence was very simple; that none of the words or messages on any of the material carried was obscene, abusive, threatening or insulting. He went on to argue that contradictions in the Zimbabwean Electoral Act mean that people could interpret the clause in a Schedule of the Act as being correct. Therefore calling on Robert Mugabe to hand over power was not insulting the President but merely citizens exercising their right to an opinion.

The prosecutor tried to rebut by asking the court to consider the State’s feelings but was interrupted by Magistrate Dube who argued that this was not possible otherwise every Zimbabwean would be going through the courts for saying what they think.

After arguments were heard, Magistrate Dube announced that she would deliver her ruling on Monday 12th May and remanded Moyo and Ncube on $1 billion bail each (approximately US$5 at current exchange rates).

To read a copy of the ‘obscene, insulting, abusive and threatening’ newsletter, click here. Woza Moya English May 2008

In Harare meanwhile, WOZA leaders were attending the funeral of a long-standing WOZA member, Josephine John. Josephine passed away on Sunday 4th after a long illness. She will be remembered for her commitment to making a better future for herself and her children. Woza Moya!

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The two WOZA members, Trust Moyo and Cynthia Ncube, who have spent the last two nights in police custody, were released into their lawyer’s custody at noon today. They had been taken to court earlier this morning charged with ‘distributing materials likely to cause a breach of the peace’, Section 37 1(b) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act. The court documentation was not in order however and they were returned to Bulawayo Central Police Station.

They returned to court late morning where they were released into their lawyer’s custody. They are expected to report back to the police station tomorrow morning at 8am to see what else they could be charged with.

Both are in good spirits after their ordeal.

Trust had been arrested after the second demonstration by a plain clothed police officer who claimed to have seen him in the original protest. Surrounded by police officers so that he couldn’t be seen, he was driven into the bush and around the streets in an attempt to disorient him. He was then taken to the private residence of a senior-ranking police officer (wearing three stars on his shoulder) in Khumalo, a suburb of Bulawayo. This officer ordered he be released into the surrounding bushy area. The arresting officers argued amongst themselves that they could not do this however as people knew he had been taken. Trust, as he had been trained to do in an abduction scenario, had made a commotion when he was being arrested, shouting that he would die for WOZA if necessary. They then resolved to take him to Bulawayo Central where riot police tried to force him to eat the WOZA banner that he had been arrested with. When he refused they began to beat him and when he fell to the ground, continued to kick him with their booted feet before finally pouring a bucket of cold water over him.

Cynthia had been arrested outside butchery after the second demonstration by a police officer that she had given a Woza Moya newsletter. She was taken to the police post in Lobengula Street Mall and questioned as to why WOZA was demanding bread and roses. A female police officer slapped her across the face several times, accusing WOZA of being the reason that they are so badly paid but claimed that now that they had arrested her they had ‘hit the jackpot’. Officers also threatened to dump her at Chipangali (a wildlife orphanage just outside of Bulawayo) so that the lions could eat her. She was later walked to Bulawayo Central, being pushed and shoved all the way.

More members have continued to receive medical treatment for injuries they sustained on Monday, including a young man who had been hit across the head with a baton stick and a woman that had to receive three stitches on her leg after being hit with a baton stick.

News update 5pm Tuesday 6 May: 2 WOZA members spend second night in Bulawayo Central

The two WOZA members, Trust Moyo and Cynthia Ncube, who were detained yesterday following a peaceful demonstration, are set to spend a second night in police custody at Bulawayo Central Police Station. They were allowed access to their lawyers this afternoon however and have been charged with ‘distributing materials likely to cause a breach of the peace’ – a charge under the Public Order and Security Act (Section 19 1b) that has been incorporated into the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act in Section 37 1(b).

It is hoped that both members will be taken to court tomorrow (Wednesday) morning.

Trust was beaten by police on the street and also in a police vehicle. Apparently they were driven out of town and driven through a busy area near the army barracks, before being taken to Bulawayo Central. Eight police officers were in this vehicle. It is not clear what injuries he has sustained as a result of his beatings as he has not been allowed to receive medical attention. It is also not clear how Cynthia has been treated since her detention.

Three more members received medical treatment this morning. All three had been struck by the police vehicle and sustained deep tissue bruising.

Please continue to call Bulawayo Central Police Station on +263 9 72515, +263 9 61706 or +263 9 63061 to demand that these members be released and to ask police why peaceful demonstrators who were calling for an end to violence were beaten so badly.

News update Tuesday 5th May 9am:

The whereabouts of all WOZA members arrested yesterday afternoon has been established. Two members, one female and one male, spent the night at Bulawayo Central Police Station whilst all other members were released by late afternoon or early evening yesterday. Lawyers have not been allowed access to the two members in Bulawayo Central and it is not clear what they are being charged with or how they have been treated. Both are in good spirits however and have been allowed food both last night and this morning.

Five of the other members arrested had been taken to the police post (a tent) at Lobengula Street Mall whilst four had been taken to Drill Hall. They were all searched and questioned at length about why they were in town. After being held for hours, they were all finally released without charge.

59 members received medical attention but the number is expected to rise as several more members have requested appointments this morning. Injuries included deep tissue bruising caused by baton sticks and open wounds, mostly on the knees from where members fell from either the beatings they received or from being hit by the police vehicle that drove into the back of the crowd.

Two people, one woman and one man, hit by the vehicle, fractured their elbows, whilst another woman broke a finger from being hit by a baton stick. It was also discovered that another woman who had been hit across the stomach with a baton stick was actually pregnant, something she did not know herself, but she and the baby are fine.

Part of the message being delivered yesterday reads…. “We call on the uniformed forces to realise that there is no peace in the absence of justice. When change comes, and it will come, WOZA will demand an audit of all civil servants, including the uniformed forces.” The ‘audit’ continues and the driver of ZRP 3039M and the officer in charge of Bulawayo Central, Inspector Mabhari, have been added to the list of those who will face justice. The latter was heard ordering the beatings.

Please call Bulawayo Central Police Station on +263 9 72515, +263 9 61706 or +263 9 63061 and demand the immediate release of the two WOZA members. Please also ask Inspector Mabhari why he ordered the beating of innocent protestors and bystanders. You can also remind the officers that they are unlikely to receive immunity from justice when democracy returns to Zimbabwe but they have an opportunity to be remembered for the good they have done by releasing members today and treating them fairly.

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Monday 5th May: WOZA members beaten in Bulawayo today; at least 11 arrested – concern for their whereabouts

Members of Women and Men of Zimbabwe Arise took to the streets of Bulawayo today to call for an end to the politically motivated violence that has left more than 20 people dead in the last few weeks. The protest is also part of WOZA’s participation in the ‘make your vote count’ campaign. Ironically the peaceful protestors were met with brutal violence by the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP). At least 59 have needed to seek medical attention for injuries caused by baton sticks or being hit by a police vehicle.

The demonstrators had planned to deliver a demand to the High Court that the Chief Election Officer declare Morgan Tsvangirai as president, as the candidate that secured the greatest number of votes, rather than hold a run-off which would only result in more violence.

The group of several hundred had just gathered and began to march when they were violently set upon by two truckloads of riot police who viciously beat people with their baton sticks.

Seven people were arrested after this first attempt, some several blocks away. It is not clear where these seven people are as lawyers have not yet been able to locate them.

An hour the determined members regrouped near St. Mary’s Cathedral and were able to conduct a silent march for four blocks before being intercepted by uniformed police officers one block from the High Court. A discussion took place between the senior officer present and WOZA National Coordinator, Jenni Williams, who was in the process of asking members to disperse peacefully when two truckloads of riot police arrived and once again began beating people.

Riot police from one vehicle disembarked and began indiscriminately beating the crowd whilst a second police vehicle ZRP 3039 M deliberately drove into the back of the crowd injuring many people. As well as the brutal assault on the peaceful protestors, any women in the vicinity were also beaten. Eyewitness accounts include seeing a completely innocent bystander be slapped across the face by a uniformed police officer until she fell to the ground, all the while protesting her innocence.

Amongst those injured was Jenni Williams, who was beaten with baton sticks, both on the street and in a police vehicle (ZRP 2030M) when she was temporarily arrested. She was later released but others were not so lucky. At least four members were observed being arrested but once again lawyers have not been able to ascertain their whereabouts as they were observed being driven to a busy area near Brady Barracks.

There is concern as to the whereabouts of all those who were witnessed being arrested and also as to how they are being treated.

It has also been reported that riot police have been beating any group of women that they come across in town throughout the afternoon. Once again displaying the violent and brutal behaviour that has become synonymous with the ZANU PF regime.

As well as carrying demands for the Chief Elections Officer, WOZA also demanded that the uniformed forces and war veterans refrain from further violence, reminding them that the ‘chefs’ probably will be allowed to cut deals, whilst they will be left to face the justice of the law and the anger of the people.

In the week leading up to Mother’s Day, the peaceful protest was also expected to demonstrate courage to Zimbabweans and show that ‘mothers’ are speaking out and demanding that their vote count and be respected.

More information will be given when it becomes available.

To see a copy of the flyer that the demonstrators were handing out as they marched, click here. Woza Moya English May 2008

Having watched and waited to see if anyone would mobilise nonviolent action and having seen none to date, around 800 members of WOZA and MOZA began their rollout of peaceful actions in Bulawayo today.

The group started their protest at the provincial court on Herbert Chitepo and Leopold Takawira. They processed for several blocks through the city centre to the High Court. The targeting of the High Court was to lodge a people’s protest at the delay in announcing results. The group toyi toyied at the steps of the Court singing an iSindebele traditional (Sangoma) song – ‘Yindaba enjani ehlula amadoda’ (the vote is an issue men are failing to deal with). The leaders then took time to address the crowd, demanding that the results be announced, whereupon they placed their newsletters and placards on the steps before dispersing. This was all carried out much to the bemusement of police officers and court workers who man the entrance.

Police were seen to respond several minutes later, picking up all the flyers left outside the High Court – those that hadn’t been scooped up by eager bystanders. Leaders are still ascertaining whether all those that took part in the peaceful protest have made it home safely.

The aim of the march was to add WOZA’s voice to those calling on the Zimbabwe Election Commission (ZEC) to release the true results of the presidential election. The march was also to call for an end to state-sponsored violence that is reported to be happening in rural areas in retribution.

As they marched, the men and women handed out flyers (the text of which is included below) to the lunchtime crowd that rushed to see what was happening when they heard the singing. Such was the excitement caused by the procession that a group of 100 – 150 people followed the demonstration for the entire route, talking excitably amongst themselves, waiting to see what would happen. When the placards and flyers were left on the steps of the High Court, many people dashed forward to collect them, including several vehicles that stopped long enough for either passengers or the driver themselves to pick up the flyers. During the march, several cars were also observed to be hooting their horns and calling out support to the demonstrators.

WOZA was formed in 2003 amidst severe political violence to demonstrate love and courage to all Zimbabweans. At this time in our country, these motivations are particularly pertinent. WOZA would like to pay tribute to the brave men and women who in the face of great uncertainty and talk of repression defied the threats of a dying regime to speak out clearly and demand that their vote be respected. WOZA would also like to salute our brother and sisters in the police and army who demonstrated today that they are with the people.

WOZA has been encouraging Zimbabweans for the last few months to stand up for their children. People responded by going out to vote on 29 March. Now is the time to keep standing strong – a better future for our children is within our reach – we must just continue to demand it peacefully.

To read a copy of the newsletter, protesters were handing out, click here April 2008 Woza Moya newsletter – English/Ndebele

Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) launched a report detailing the political violence experienced by their members in Harare on Wednesday 19 March 2008 at an event attended by diplomats, civic society leaders and members of WOZA and MOZA. The report is entitled “The effects of fighting repression WITH LOVE”.

The report is a result of research conducted by WOZA on what violations its members have gone through as women human rights defenders and who the perpetrators of these abuses are. The report was launched to make public the findings and to urgently draw attention to the risks faced by women activists as Zimbabwe braces itself for an election. It is intended that those who read the report will be motivated to take action to remedy the damage done to millions of people’s lives by a violent dictatorship.

The meeting was chaired by WOZA’s partners, Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, who vocalised their praise for the detail in the report and for the need for the women human rights defenders to be respected and for there to be justice for the abuses. ZLHR Board member and lawyer, Sarudzai Njerere said, ‘the report is an important tool in documenting what Zimbabweans have experienced’ and that ‘we should all join WOZA in standing up for social justice”.

Prominent activist and WOZA trustee, Mary Ndlovu launched the report by giving a brief outline of its contents. She highlighted that it encompasses the police response to peaceful protests by WOZA; that the majority of women interviewed reported multiple human rights violations; that it is apparent that police would like to intimidate and deter women from participation and that the police are in violation of domestic and regional professional codes and are committing criminal law offences all of which call for punishment although none seems to be forthcoming due to a breakdown and partial way the justice system now operates.

She went on to point out that the Zimbabwean government officials who give order to beat or detain the human rights defenders render Zimbabwe in violation of its own constitution and in breach of obligations under international law.

Two WOZA members also gave testimonies of their experiences at the hands of the Uniformed Branch and Law and Order department of the ZRP. One woman in the company of her four-year-old daughter, testified about their arrest and detention in horrid conditions for three days in 2004, well over the 48hour detention period permitted under the Public Order and Security Act (POSA). Her daughter was only three months old at the time and she only had two nappies with her and had to fight to access water to wash them when they became soiled. When members of WOZA tried to send disposable nappies in for her baby, police officers misappropriated them and she never received them. Despite this and further arrests and beatings, she remains an active member of WOZA.

Another woman testified that she had been abducted from her home in Bulawayo with her 18-month-old grandchild at 4am by Law and Order officers. They threatened to kill her by throwing her and the child in a dam. She had also been seriously beaten across the breasts by police and had to undergo extended medical treatment. These testimonies are indicative of the experiences of peaceful activists and reflective of the physical and mental torture they undergo in fighting for their basic freedoms to be realised.

WOZA National Coordinator, Jenni Williams, outlined the recommendations highlighted in the report. She also went on to say that in the light of WOZA’s recent experience in Bulawayo on the 8th March 2008, International Women’s Day, where over 50 members were brutalised, just weeks before the upcoming 29 March election, a free and fair climate for elections does not exist.

The report calls on the Zimbabwean government to immediately end violence against its citizens and on the Zimbabwe Republic Police to honour their commitment to the Police Act and the SARPCCO Code of Conduct for police officers. It also calls on the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to support human rights defenders rather than oppressive governments that deny people their domestically and internationally guaranteed rights and on the African Union (AU) to isolate representatives of the Zimbabwe government and any other government that fails to abide by its obligations under international law to respect human rights.

The international community was also called on to recognize the contribution of WOZA members as human rights defenders, and assist in the documentation and publicising of violations so that justice may be served in the future.

A further recommendation is for a Transitional Justice programme. The reports reads, “We call on Zimbabweans and non-Zimbabweans alike to assist in putting into place a mechanism which satisfies the wishes of the Zimbabwean people to see not retribution, but justice, truth and reconciliation, so that the guilty can do penance and the victims can feel healed of the many wounds they have suffered at the hands of state agents.”

Whilst the report made mention of the trauma experienced by WOZA women as a result of their experiences, it was felt that the findings are significant enough to be released in a separate report due for release soon. What is clear however is that the women have experienced more trauma in an independent Zimbabwe than in pre-Independence period.

To read a full copy of the report, click here: Fighting the effects of repression with love – report on political violence against WOZA members

Over 1,000 members of WOZA and MOZA marched through the streets of Bulawayo today to commemorate International Women’s Day. The peaceful protesters, who were carrying balloons, were met by riot police after four blocks and viciously beaten. Over 50 members received medical attention for injuries caused by the assault.

The aim of this march was to exhort Zimbabweans to stand up for their children in these times of extreme hardship and to encourage people to vote in the coming elections. As they marched, the demonstrators distributed flyers urging people to inform themselves of the policies and track records of the candidates running in their areas and to choose leaders who will deliver a socially just future, regardless of their political affiliation. The group also carried balloons that carried the message – Stand Up for Your Child.

As the procession neared the Chronicle offices, the dispersing point, a police officer known to WOZA, approached Jenni Williams and asked her to take the protest off the road, to which Williams indicated she would do so at the next intersection, Jason Moyo Street. Before they could reach there, a loud noise that could have been a shot or tear gas was heard, alarming the peaceful activists. Riot police officers then violently set upon the demonstrators, severely beating the two young activists holding the rear banner. They then moved through the procession beating people as they fled.

The women human rights defenders, feeling provoked by the violence they had seen, regrouped and began a second protest before being violently dispersed for the second time. Police then adopted the strategy of moving amongst groups and saying out the ‘woza moya’ (come holy spirit) slogan and assaulting anyone who sang out the reply ‘woza’!

A member from Pumula, Eva Tanyanyiwa, was beaten to the ground by two police officers and lay prostrate before being dragged up and pulled towards the police vehicle where she fainted. When Jenni Williams went to implore the officer to leave the woman alone as she was seriously injured, they arrested her as well. Magodonga Mahlangu then joined the two in solidarity. The trio were driven to Bulawayo Central Police Station being threatened by police officers all the way. On arrival at the police station, the three women had their details taken before being released after 30 minutes by a police officer who said they should go and get Eva treated as she had ‘fallen in the road’.

Eva has serious bruising on her upper arm and lower body. Another women had to have stitches to her neck as she was pushed by a police officer into a stationary vehicle whilst another was pushed into a pole by a police officer, receiving a deep cut across her forehead. Other injuries included a woman who developed a haematoma just above her kidneys as a result of being beaten and many others with deep tissue bruising from being beaten with baton sticks.

This violent response by police negates recent information that WOZA had received that police had been instructed not to arrest or beat WOZA members until further notice; evidence of which has been borne out by the reduction in arrests since October last year. The release of the WOZA leaders after a brief period however does not bear out even more recent information received that the uniformed forces and prison authorities had been briefed to arrest and detain WOZA leaders and deny them bail until after the elections. They had also been instructed to teach the WOZA leaders ‘a lesson they will not forget’ whilst in detention.

Undaunted by these threats, WOZA members decided to continue with their peaceful protest, an act of courage that obviously put them in a dilemma, especially as the news had already been covered by independent media.

WOZA would like to pay tribute to its members that came out into the street today to join events that have been taking place all over the world to mark International Women’s Day, despite recent threats by the Commissioner of Police, Augustine Chihuri, that police will meet demonstrations with the utmost force, including live ammunition. Their determination to stand up for the future of their children with dignity and courage is to be commended and WOZA would like to urge all other Zimbabweans to stand up and be counted.

Following on from the peaceful street protest in Bulawayo yesterday, members of WOZA and MOZA took to the streets of Harare at lunchtime today, 13th February.

Approximately 250 members had gathered to start the peaceful protest in Ruzende Street near Town House when the group was set upon by a truckload of riot police who threw tear gas canisters to disperse the crowd. Several members were badly beaten with baton sticks by riot and uniformed police officers after they regrouped.

Leaders called for a further regroup at the Post Office half an hour later. Approximately 80-100 members managed to start and march peacefully up George Silundika Avenue. The procession marched past the police post on First Street, where officers where given red roses and Valentine cards, arriving at the Herald. At the Herald, the group was addressed by WOZA’s National Coordinator, Jenni Williams, who announced to great cheers that in a new Zimbabwe the Herald would cover the fact that police had beaten Zimbabwean citizens in the street. The group then peacefully dispersed. As they dispersed, two trucks with over 30 riot police arrived too late to effect any arrests.

Eleven members required medical attention for injuries sustained by beatings with baton sticks. In most cases, police continued to beat the women until they drew blood and one woman required three stitches behind her ear and one on her arm.

As in Bulawayo, the aim of today’s peaceful protest was to encourage Zimbabweans to stand up for their children in these times of extreme hardship and as an election looms. WOZA was formed in 2003 amidst severe political violence to demonstrate love and courage to all Zimbabweans. In 2008 this motivation is still equally relevant.

Within an hour of the end of the Bulawayo protest, Jenni Williams had received a phone call from a person identifying herself as being from the President’s Office (Central Intelligence Organisation) who confirmed having seen the WOZA protest in Bulawayo. She asked to meet Williams for an explanation as to what the Valentine’s theme “stand up for your child” means. The officer explained that they had heard many things about WOZA and thought it is important to meet in person and clarify WOZA’s issues so as to brief the President.

WOZA would like to salute the Zimbabwean men and women who stood up for their children in Bulawayo and Harare during the last two days. In a time when Zimbabweans have become accustomed to be on the receiving end of hatred and violence, these brave individuals have chosen to set an example to their children of love and courage.