Valentine 63 on trial today in Zimbabwe
Updates have been added to the end of this post
These 63 WOZA (Women of Zimbabwe Arise) women face trial in Zimbabwe today. Their crime was to protest deteriorating human rights conditions in Zimbabwe, and to publically march for food and love. You can send messages of solidarity and support to these brave, peace loving, non violent activists at this address: wozazimbabwe@yahoo.com. Alternatively, you can anonymously leave messages as comments here and we’ll pass them on.
We honour and are thinking of each and every one of you today:
1. Junior Tongesai, Warren Park, 45 years old
2. Joyce Mavaivai, Budiriro, 42
3. Abigail Mandundu, Kambuzuma, 25
4. Dorcas Mkucha, Dzivarasekwa, 56
5. Joyce Yard, Dzivarasekwa, 42
6. Marina Limanzi, Domboramwari, 33
7. Munah Maguri, Epworth, 58
8. Sithembeni Rusike, Epworth, 39
9. Mulentha Mudziviri, Highfield, 22
10. Fasireni Jeremani, Epworth, 35
11. Martha Bazariyo, Epworth, 31
12. Catherine Maforo, Dzivarasekwa, 26
13. Noria Kundari, Seke, 48
14. Julia Retera, Kuwadzana, 48
15. Margret Mundwa, Chitungwiza, 24
16. Mirriam Bwanausi, Epworth, 47
17. Evelyn Chipanera, Seke, 25
18. Ellah Manyange, Epworth, 56
19. Ellah Tawengwa, Kuwadzana, 47
20. Rosemary Mironga, Chitungwiza, 52
21. Runganga Midya, Kambuzuma, 34
22. Tsitsi Sadomba, Epworth, 51
23. Pauline Lusumba, Epworth, 27
24. Ellen Jack, Kambuzuma, 46
25. Petrina Musana, Budiriro, 30
26. Jane Mashonga, Dzivarasekwa, 48
27. Rwandi Maingire, Kambuzuma, 35
28. Judith Wiri, Dzivarasekwa, 49
29. Respina Mupuma, Kambuzuma, 23
30. Fungai Chabata, Warren Park, 36
31. Alice Kasinamunda, Dzivarasekwa, 40
32. Maria Mupande, Warren Park, 54
33. Loice Grezha, Epworth, 52
34. Kerina Matooro, Warren Park, 32
35. Electa Govha, Seke, 52
36. Margaret Mutsauri, Seke, 49
37. Verina Muchegu, Seke, 43
38. Nurce Nota, Seke, 46
39. Shyline Mubaiwa, Glen View, 21
40. Anna Takaguta, Dzivarasekwa,
41. Barbra Chakanya, Rugare, 26
42. Alice Zvenyunga, Highfield, 32
43. Netsai Kambanje, Highfield, 31
44. Rosemary Mbare, Epworth, 25
45. Chelije Mbwemba, Epworth, 36
46. Edith Mpofu, Kuwadzana Extension, 27
47. Fiona Mazivanhanga, Kuwadzana, 28
48. Violet Mbwana, Epworth, 27
49. Miriam Munaki, Epworth, 20
50. Vimbai Charumbira, Epworth, 19
51. Enia Mazambara, Warren Park, 48
52. Angeline Matopodzi, Seke, 62
53. Hazvina Taruvinga, Epworth, 59
54. Judith Muzerungwa, Sunningdale, 43
55. Monica Chimbiro, Sunningdale, 48
56. Jennifer Rinton, Dzivarasekwa, 46
57. Violet Faindani, Dzivarasekwa, 48
58. Rangani Nhera, Dzivarasekwa, 40
59. Esther Maulidi, Dzivarasekwa, 20
60. Lydia Phiri, Dzivarasekwa, 60
61. Grace Muteiwa, Kuwadzana, 50
62. Edith Zamuti, Budiriro, 21
63. Nikiwe Malunga, Epworth, 39
More on the WOZA women at these links:
- Valentine 63: 63 WOZA members face trail 15 May in Harare
- Honouring African Women
- Press statement from WOZA - International Women’s Day 2006
- WOZA - press releases describing recent events
- WOZA flyers appear on the street
Update on the trial of the ‘Valentine 63’ : 18 May 2006
Having been adjourned from 16 May, the trial of the 63 WOZA women arrested on Valentine’s Day was due to resume this afternoon. Instead, the accused, defence lawyers and well-wishers waited in vain for both the Magistrate and Prosecutor to appear.
Eventually, the Officer of the Court appeared to announce that the trial has been postponed to 12 June. Allegedly the Prosecutor is at a workshop and therefore was not available. None of the accused formally appeared before the Magistrate to be remanded to this date however.
WOZA is therefore obliged to continue its wait to hear if the magistrate will allow the referral to the Supreme Court. To reiterate, the defence’s argument is that the law under which the women were charged contravenes the Declaration of Rights; in particular the right to freedom of expression, the right to freedom of assembly and association and the right to be free from inhuman treatment. Such a matter can only be determined by the Supreme Court, hence the request for a referral to that court.
Despite the State’s argument that this would be a waste of the Supreme Court’s time, WOZA do not agree and feel that any legislation which prevents people from exercising their freedom of expression and assembly violates those rights enshrined in our Constitution. The issue of the constitutionality of the relevant sections of the Miscellaneous Offences Act needs to be decided by the Supreme Court before any meaningful trial can take place.
