Over 1,000 members of Women and Men of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA/MOZA) took to the streets of Harare today to commemorate the United Nations International Day of Peace. Riot police responded but no arrests have been reported to date but WOZA leaders are still in the process of confirming the safe return of all activists in their areas.

Six simultaneous protests converged on the offices of the United Nations in Kwame Nkurumah Street from different starting points. The peaceful group of men and women sang as they marched ‘Father, send the Holy Spirit to bring peace to Zimbabwe’ and ‘we are united as WOZA, speaking with one voice that we want peace’. At the UNDP offices, a petition asking the UN to help intervene in Zimbabwe to restore the health and education sectors was handed in to officials in the building. The petition (included in the September Woza Moya newsletter) also called on the UN to pressure the inclusive government to stop the harassment of vendors and ordinary Zimbabweans by police.

Placards carried by the demonstrators included: ‘there is no peace in Zimbabwe’, ‘we want peace’ and ‘there is no education – is this what the GPA means?’ Bystanders called their encouragement to the demonstrators, including a uniformed police officer that urged the group to walk faster so that they could reach their target before the riot police arrived.

The theme of the protest was ‘Social Justice will bring Peace of Mind’ and its aim was to carry a message to the inclusive government that Zimbabweans still do not have peace of mind a year after the power-sharing deal was signed. Life for ordinary Zimbabweans remains precarious and human rights activists continue to be beaten and harassed for exercising their constitutional right to peaceful protest. Since the power-sharing deal was signed in September 2008, 40 WOZA activists have been arrested on seven separate occasions after peaceful protests, WOZA leaders Jenni Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu spent three weeks in Mlondolozi Prison and hundreds of peaceful Zimbabweans citizens were brutally beaten by police for merely speaking out about the hardships in their lives.

Through today’s march, WOZA is calling on the government of Zimbabwe to implement all aspects of the Global Political Agreement to ensure that Zimbabweans can have peace of mind and to guarantee the right of ALL Zimbabweans to live in peace. The scars of violence, recent and decades-old, still affect Zimbabweans whilst the daily struggle for survival continues with no respite. Social justice and a meaningful constitutional process needs to be prioritized by the government instead of political games.

The march also marked the International Day of Peace which is commemorated annually on 21st September and which encourages individuals, organizations and nations to create practical acts of peace.

The seven members arrested in Bulawayo on Wednesday 17th June appeared on remand in Bulawayo Magistrate’s Court this morning. The state was not prepared with either the docket or state witnesses. They have been further remanded out of custody until 22nd July.

In Harare, the four members who had been arrested on 18th June and badly beaten appeared in Harare Magistrate’s Court yesterday morning. As in Bulawayo, the state was not ready with either the docket or state witnesses. Neither were the police ready to answer why the four were so badly beaten in custody. The magistrate has postponed the matter to Monday 6th July and has insisted that the state be ready on that date.

Subsequently all four members have been called into Harare Central Police Station by officers from the Law and Order Unit to give their account of what happened to them in custody.

Both groups of activists, in Harare and Bulawayo, are charged under Section 37 1 a of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act – ‘disturbing the peace, security or order of the public’.

Sungano Yemadzimai (Sisterhood Bond)

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WOMEN OF ZIMBABWE ARISE – WOZA
P. O. Box FM 701, Famona, Bulawayo
By Women for Women and with Women, across Race, Colour, Creed, Class or Political Persuasion. Empowering Women to be Courageous, Caring, Committed and in Communication with their Communities.

WOZA SISTERS’
SUNGANO YEMADZIMAI

Zita rangu ……………………………………………………………………………………………

Ndirikuvimbisa kuti ndichabatsirana nemamwe madzimai. Tichabatana mawoko pakurwisa kuti ticherechedzeke pakudzosa Zimbabwe murunyararo, muutongo whakajeka, nebudiriro.

Apo kurwisa kuchienderera mberi ndichayeuka zvinotevera:

1. Kutaura nokukurudzira mamwe madzimai kuti aite saizvozvo kuti inzvi remadzimai rinzvike. Madzimai aafanirwi kushupika akanyarara.
2. Mukusanganira nevamwe tichi kurukura nezvinotishungurudza nokusimuka tichiita panekungo gununguna.
3. Kuva munyaradzi nomuteereri kusimbisana. “Kukurukura kunotapudza shungu nenhamo”.
4. Kuratidzira rudo no kusatya mudzimba medu nemu vavakidzani, ndichibatsira kubvisa kutya muvanhu.
5. Madzimai, mamai eZimbabwe yose. Saka, ngaa wane chiremera.
6. Kuva, mumiririri wezvinhu zvisina hukasha, kuratidza vanhu kuti tinogona kugadzirisa nyaya dzinotinetsa kusina vhingamupopoto.
7. Kuva ne chido chokubatana pakunzvirana nemadzimai anepfungwa dzakafanana.
8. Kukurudzira zviitiko zvinokururama muna mwari. Nokurarama pakumuziva.
9. Kumiririra kuva Democratic, nekuzvininipisa mune zvakawanda, zvinobva muvanhu.
10. “Kurwadzisiwa komumwe wedu, kurwadzisiwa kwedu tese”.

Ndinovimbisa!

Ndatsidzira : ………………………………………… Zuva: ………………………………………………

Mupupuriri : ………………………………………… Mupupuriri : ………………………………………

Copyright © 2004

The seven members arrested in Bulawayo on Wednesday have finally been released on bail of USD 20 each. They have been remanded out of custody to 3rd July and have to report to their nearest police station every Friday. The Magistrate had tried to postpone the matter to Monday 22nd but the defence successfully argued against a postponement. The state then attempted to delay their release by saying that all clerks of the court were in a meeting all afternoon and that therefore their bail could only be paid on Monday. Fortunately Kossam Ncube, the defence lawyer, was able to secure their release by late afternoon. All were beaten prior to being arrested and have needed to seek medical attention for deep tissue bruising.

The four members in Harare have also finally been able to go home having received medical treatment. One woman has a broken finger, whilst another two are on crutches as they are unable to walk unaided. Maria Majoni has to return for further medical treatment for injuries to her ear. All have severe deep tissue bruising.

The four Harare members are required to report directly to the Law and Order Department every Friday. Both groups of activists, in Harare and Bulawayo, are charged under Section 37 1 a of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act – ‘disturbing the peace, security or order of the public’.

It has emerged that the woman with her nine-month old baby that had been arrested with the other four in Harare and then later released had been pulled out of the demonstration by riot police and taken to a room inside Parliament filled with police. They took the baby of her back, placing it on the floor at the side of the room before taking it in turns to beat the mother. She was later taken to Central Police Station where the other WOZA members denied knowing her until she was released.

WOZA is relieved that all activists have finally been released from custody but remains shaken by the brutality they received at the hands of the police. Attempts to hold the activists in Bulawayo hostage until Jenni Williams has been arrested and denying the activists in Harare medical attention as punishment are all the actions of a state that has no interest in changing its behaviour. Police officers like Mundondo in Harare and Moyo in Bulawayo continue to violate the rights of peaceful activists despite the fact that the Global Political Agreement (GPA) signed in September last year promised commitment to human rights and the rule of law. The inclusive government continues to allow human rights abuses to rage unchecked and continues to disregard the best interests of its people. As the world commemorates International Refugee Day tomorrow under the theme – real people, real needs, the real needs of the Zimbabwean people continue to be ignored.

The four WOZA women arrested in Harare yesterday have been released on bail. The badly injured activists appeared in Harare Magistrate’s Court this morning. After an initial argument by the state that they should be denied bail, the women were released on bail of USD 10 each and remanded out of custody to 2nd July. Their defence lawyer, Harrison Nkomo, applied for, and was granted, an order for the police to explain the injuries that all four women sustained. They are currently receiving medical attention.

In Bulawayo, the seven members that have spent the last two nights in police custody appeared in Bulawayo Magistrate’s this morning. The state, through the investigating officer, Moyo, has spent all morning arguing that they should be denied bail until Jenni Williams’ arrest has been secured. The state is arguing that Williams should be charged as an organiser because of remarks that she made at a public meeting last week that WOZA would roll out peaceful protests until all Zimbabweans receive social justice. The magistrate is due to give her ruling on the bail application this afternoon.

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.

20 June is the United Nations World Refugee Day
Theme: Real People, Real Needs -Vanhu Chaivho, Nezvido Chaizvo
Singabantu Abaqotho, Silezidingo Eziqotho

And WE ARE THE REAL PEOPLE SPEAKING OUT ABOUT OUR NEEDS.
It seems to us that Zimbabweans are not treated as real people with real needs, WE are treated like refugees our own country. WHY DO WE THINK THIS?

1. Refugees are people who are displaced  – MANY Zimbabweans are displaced without a roof over their head. Our homes were demolished and no one has attended to this injustice. On top of that rents and rates are now skyrocketing and people will be chased from their homes. STOP RAISING RENTS AND FIND A WAY TO LET US HAVE A ROOF OVER OUR HEADS
2. A refugee is someone who is uncertain of their personal security – the rule of law is not respected and police officers are a law unto themselves! See15 September 2008 GPA. 18. Security of persons and prevention of violence 18.2 Gravely concerned by the displacement of scores of people after the election of March 29, 2008 as a result of politically motivated violence. 18.5 The Parties hereby agree: (g) to work together to ensure the security of all persons and property; (h) to work together to ensure the safety of any displaced persons, their safe return home and their enjoyment of the full protection of the law. CONDUCT TRAINING SO POLICE OFFICERS RESPECT HUMAN RIGHTS AND UNDERSTAND THEIR ROLE IS TO SERVE THE NATION.
3. Refugees survive on handouts – they have no means to stabilize their lives and earn a living There is 95 % unemployment so people try to earn a living by informal or cross border trading. People do this to try to survive hardship but instead they suffer arrest, are forced to pay a bribe, their goods are looted with no way to get justice. See 15 September 2008 Global Political Agreement. 3. Economic recovery 3.1 The Parties agree: (a) to give priority to the restoration of economic stability and growth in Zimbabwe. The Government will lead the process of developing and implementing an economic recovery strategy and plan. To that end, the parties are committed to working together on a full and comprehensive economic programme to resuscitate Zimbabwe’s economy, which will urgently address the issues of production, food security, poverty and unemployment and the challenges of high inflation, interest rates and the exchange rate.
   STABILISE THE ECONOMY TO CREATE JOBS BUT UNTIL THEN ALLOW US TO TRADE WITHOUT HARRASMENT BY POLICE AND ZIMRA.
4. Refugee children do not go to school – Zimbabwean children cannot get their right to a decent education and spend their day playing in the roads. Teachers are refugees in other countries because they were harassed by militia and chased away by low salaries. OUR CHILDREN MUST GET THEIR RIGHT TO AN EDUCATION – AND TEACHERS TO EARN A LIVING WAGE.
5. Refugees cannot easily get health care and live in conditions that breed disease – There are very few professional staff and little medication in hospitals, the service is expensive. Doctors and Nurses do not earn a living wage. PRIORITISE HEALTHCARE FOR ALL URGENTLY.
6. WE ALSO DEMAND THE RIGHT TO ENJOY OUR FULL CITIZENSHIP WITH OUR OWN CONSTITUTION See 15 September 2008 GPA. 6. Constitution Acknowledging that it is the fundamental right and duty of the Zimbabwean people to make a constitution by themselves and for themselves; Determined to create conditions for our people to write a constitution for themselves; and Mindful of the need to ensure that the new Constitution deepens our democratic values and principles and the protection of the equality of all citizens, particularly the enhancement of full citizenship and equality of women.

Our needs are real and need to be urgently attended to and political leaders must respect us enough to deliver and also to deliver the promises made in the Global Political Agreement.

 Our leaders said they were
CONSIDERING our shared determination …a nation where all citizens respect and, therefore, enjoy equal protection of the law and have equal opportunity to compete and prosper in all spheres of life.
COMMITTING ourselves to putting our people first by arresting the fall in living standards and reversing the decline of our economy.
DETERMINED to build a society free of violence, fear, intimidation, hatred, patronage, corruption and founded on justice, fairness, openness, transparency, dignity and equality.
DETERMINED to act in a manner that demonstrates respect for the democratic values of justice, fairness, openness, tolerance, equality, respect of all persons and human rights. 

BUT WE HAVE NOT SEEN THE RESULTS THAT SHOW ANY COMMITMENT AND DETERMINATION? WHERE IS IT?

IN OTHER WORDS ….

Vanhu Chaivho Nezvido Chaizvo

1. Tiri kurarama sevapoteri munyika medu. Pekugara chaipo pari kunetsa.
2. Mitero iri kudhura dzimba takatengeserwa, kunge ivhu rekutengeserwa kunge nyika isiri yedu. Mari yokubhadhara pokugara yodhura kupfuura mari yatinotambira.
3. Muzvitoro zvose zvirimo asi chokutengesa hatina, mabasa hapana.
4. Vana havachaenda kuchikoro mari yacho idambudziko kuiwana.
5. Muzvipatara mishonga hamuna ukaiwana mishonga mari yokutenga hatina.
6. Vanoshanda ngava piwe mihoro ino kwanisa kuraramisa mhuri dzavo.
7. Mari dzokubhadhara pakufamba hadzinzwisisike, mibhadharo yacho inongo siyaniswa asi rwendo rwuri rumwe chete. Kunyanya nzvimbo dzekure
8. Tarisiro yedu ndeye kuti makambani ose avhurwe mabasa awanikwe.Vashandi vasapiwa mazuva mamwe ekusevenza mamwe ekusasevenza.
9. Tariro yedu ndeye vakashungurudzwa, vakapondwa, vakapisirwa misha hapana chatati tanzwa kana kuona. Honzeri dzemhirizhonga hadzisati dzaburitswa  pachena.
10. Tinonzwa muchikakavadzana nenyaya yezvigaro isu voruzhinji tiri kutambura. Redu ratakananga  gwara haticha rizivi.
11. Bumbiro remutemo tanga takaritarisira asi hatichanzwisisa kuti zviri kufambiswa sei. Richanyorwa here sekuvimbisa kwavanga vakaita kuti tiende kusarudzo ine runyararo uye iri pachena, kudzivirira kodzero dzedu?

SAYING IT IN ANOTHER WAY …

Singabantu abaqotho sifuna izinto eziqotho, silemicabango ekhaliphileyo njalo ebanzi.

1. Ngobuqotho bethu sifuna ukuphathwa ngendlela eqotho njalo sitshelwe izinto ngoba yithi amaZimbabwe aqotho. Sikhangele siyabona konke  okwenzakalayo, sesidiniwe ngezithembiso zamanga ngakho sifuna inkokheli eziqotho.
2. Lathi libumba uhulumende wenu womanyano lathi lifuna ukuhlenga amaZimbabwe pho kungaphi ukusihlenga kwenu udubo lokhu luqhubekela phambili?
3. Selihluthunele  abantwabethu ilungelo lokumfundo. Asisenelisi ukubabhadalela ezikolo ngenxa yembadalo ephezulu.
4. Abantu sebefela ezindlini bebelethele khona ngoba siswela imali yokubhadala izibhedlela ngoba zibiza inhlawulo engeneliswa nguzulu wonke.
5. Ezitolo  izinto azazani kodwa sizidla ngamehlo.
6. Isizwe sesilahlekelwe yibuntu baso ngenxa yokuswelakala kwemisebenzi, sesiphila sanyamazana ubudlova sobandile kuleli, kuthi laba abasebenzayo abaholi lutho.
7. Amapholisa konke lokhu akutshaya indiva ngoba bafuna ababafumbathisayo.
8. Sesiphila ebunyameni ngenxa yokuswela amandla kagetsi kodwa ekupheleni kwenyanga kufuneka amakhulu lamakhulu amalandi.
9. Izulu lana kodwa amanzi awakho ezimpompini zethu lokhu kwenzakala nje akulangcazelo esiyitholayo evela kumenisipalithi.
10. Lokhu uhulumende womanyano wasungulwayo asikaze sizwe inkulumo ephathelane lozulu kodwa esikuzwayo yikuthi babanga izihlalo lokuthi uzibani uyengaphi, uyecela imali yabo lokuthi kwenzakalani ngamapulazi abo. Abezombangazwe lingasitsheli ukuthi sokulenguquko, nxa inguquko isikhona  izabonakala kumpilo zikazulu.

Qhubeka – Take the Step – Yendera Mberi!

Members of Women and Men of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA/MOZA) marched through the streets of Bulawayo today to mark International Refugee Day, commemorated annually on 20th June. Four simultaneous protests began at 12.30pm under the theme – real people, real needs. The four different protests began at different locations, one of which was outside Bulawayo Central Police Station, converging on the offices of the state-owned Chronicle newspaper to test if media freedom exists in Zimbabwe today.

Three of the four simultaneous protests, including the one that had started outside the police station, arrived at the offices of the Chronicle at which point they were attacked by uniformed police officers who brutally beat them, arresting many. The fourth demonstration was stopped en route by police who also viciously beat the peaceful protestors. At this point, we are still trying to verify how many people have been arrested and how many require medical treatment.

WOZA traditionally marks International Refugee Day as we believe Zimbabweans are refugees in their own country – displaced, unsettled and insecure. Government is still targeting informal trading, the only means of survival for most people and so many find themselves unable to provide for themselves and their families. Informal traders are harassed by police, their produce often looted and stolen. In a country where all goods and services are now charged in foreign currency, the inability to earn forex places the vulnerable even more at risk and forces more and more Zimbabweans to flee their country of birth to try and provide for their families. Through these peaceful protests, WOZA is reminding the inclusive government and the world that the people of Zimbabwean remain the victims of this crisis – it is time to put the needs of the people first. 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.

More information will be made available as it is received.

Over 1,000 members of Women and Men of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA/MOZA) marched through the streets of Bulawayo today to articulate their demands to the power-sharing government. They chose to protest today as the first 100 days in office draws to a close. The protest started at four different locations, converging on Mhlahlandlela Government Complex. There have been no arrests reported at the time of this release.

The song sung by the peaceful protesters rang out through the streets of Bulawayo – ‘We are not scared to reveal failures of this inclusive government, boboza (expose it’).

Two protests began earlier than scheduled as members were eager to start. On arriving at the government complex, they handed over their list of demands and placards to the guards at the gate before sitting down to await the arrival of the rest of the participants. Bystanders were amazed to note the peaceful women and men arriving in waves and join each other seated in at the complex. Many followed the protestors to receive the newsletter outlining WOZA’s demands and to observe the spectacle. Five thousand copies of the newsletter were distributed during the four processions; all were grabbed by eager bystanders, not a single one remaining to litter the streets. People reading the list of demands were heard to be debating the content as the demonstration went by.

10 police officers came out of the Police Drill Hall as members sang their songs at the complex but they just watched and then moved off, going about their business. There were many police officers around the four starting points but they did not take action other than to call or radio in that a protest was underway. At one location, police officers were heard commenting that WOZA should not have allowed the 100 days to elapse before demonstrating. A man in plain clothes was overheard telling the civil servants at the gate, “these women are helping you.”

After the peaceful group had disbursed, a police vehicle with two officers arrived and were seen leaving with placards and copies of the newsletter left with the guards at the gate. Some placards read, ‘restore the rule of law’, ‘provide social welfare’ and ‘fix the education system’.

The protest and the list of demands handed over to the government complex today follows wide consultations with members in Bulawayo and across the country. WOZA has been conducting meetings and workshops preparing members to hold the power-sharing government accountable for the promises they make. This has been part of the Take the Step campaign, designed to encourage Zimbabweans to continue with the civic participation that they demonstrated in March 2008.

As part of our campaigning we have been reminding people to look beyond the words and promises – ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS. As we march today, government should get the message loud and clear – enough talking, more doing. We have been patient for long enough.

WOZA, the acronym of Women of Zimbabwe Arise, is an Ndebele word meaning ‘come forward’. Now with a countrywide membership of over 75,000 women and men, WOZA was formed in 2003 as a women’s civic movement to:

• Provide women, from all walks of life, with a united voice to speak out on issues affecting their day-to-day lives.
• Empower female leadership that will lead community involvement in pressing for solutions to the current crisis.
• Encourage women to stand up for their rights and freedoms.
• Lobby and advocate on those issues affecting women and their families.

The WOZA solution – TOUGH LOVE
Based on the principles of strategic nonviolence, through our actions, WOZA creates space to allow Zimbabweans to articulate issues they may be too fearful to raise alone. WOZA has conducted hundreds of protests since 2003 and over 3,000 women and men have spent time in police custody, many more than once and most for 48 hours or more. These frontline human rights defenders are willing to suffer beatings and unbearable conditions in prison cells to exercise their constitutional rights and fundamental freedoms.

WOZA was formed to be a litmus test proving that the power of love can conquer the love of power. ‘Tough Love’ is our secret weapon of mass mobilisation. ‘Tough Love’ is the disciplining love of a parent; women practice it to press for and to bring dignity back to Zimbabweans. Tough Love is a ‘people power’ tool that any community can use to press for better governance and social justice, especially for Zimbabweans. Political leaders in Zimbabwe need some discipline; who better to dish it out than mothers!

Enter the men!
In August 2006, at the WOZA National Assembly, it was resolved to form Men of Zimbabwe Arise (MOZA) and this wing has been growing steadily. Men, mostly youthful, are ‘coming forward’ to join the non-violent struggle for a better Zimbabwe.

WOZA and Social Justice
During 2006, WOZA carried out consultations on social justice across the country. In 284 meetings, almost 10,000 rural and urban people told us what they want in a new Zimbabwe. We wrote down what they said and the result is the People’s Charter.

Read more about WOZA’s social justice campaign and the People’s Charter.
Read about WOZA’s campaigns.
Read the latest edition of the WOZA newsletter, Woza Moya or one of WOZA’s publications.