Breaking news of arrests from WOZA

Breaking News 3:30pm : Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA)

FOUR women involved in the community based protest conducted at Schools were arrested around 11 am this morning. Initial reports indicated three but confirmation has been received that there are four women in custody. They were initially taken to Njube Police Station but have since been moved to Bulawayo Central. A lawyer is attempting to obtain access.

Meanwhile news from Mutare is that two people were picked up this morning in connection with a WOZA meeting conducted on Saturday 20 May. A Lawyer has been deployed.

The meeting, a first for Mutare was addressed by Jenni Williams, Magodonga Mahlangu and Ellah Hwenzira, members of WOZA. The purpose of the meeting was to conduct a social justice consultation with the people of Mutare and mobilise them to demand social justice for Zimbabweans.

2pm Breaking News

WOZA’S EDUCATION CAMPAIGN CONTINUES AT SCHOOLS MEMBERS of Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) took to the streets again this morning in six areas across Harare and Bulawayo. The peaceful protests targeted Government and Council schools which have continued to turn away children for non-payment of fees. Three women were arrested as they dispersed from Mtshede Primary and are currently being held at Njube Police Station. Plain-clothed officers were present at Mtshede School in Njube, Bulawayo. They were carrying placards obviously picked up at the first school (Ngubo Primary), and possibly carried out these arrests. In Harare at Fungisai Government School in Chitungwiza South members reported having a conversation with uniformed police officers.

These protests were part of WOZA’s continuing education campaign. Previously, Bulawayo members spent five days in custody after peaceful protest at Mhlahlandlela Government office on 4th May. Whilst in Harare on 8th May, members protested at the Minister of Educations office. Minister Chigwedere responded in an interview on morning state television saying that he was not responsible and that women should not come to his office but should visit headmasters. Members of WOZA therefore resolved to take the education lobby to schools and pressure Headmasters to allow children their right to education.

Last week, WOZA members delivered a message to schools across Bulawayo and Harare (text included below), requesting that Headmasters not send children away for non-payment. Today, seven schools that had ignored these requests were targeted for the community-based protests.

In Chitungwiza Fungisai Government, Farai Council and two Seke High Schools were visited by over 200 women. In Harare hundreds of members protested at Glenview 7 Primary, Glenview High Council, Dzivarasekwa High and Fundo Primary Schools. In Bulawayo over 150 members visited Ngubo Primary, 80 members went to Mtshede Primary School and Mahlabezulu Primary School also had a visit by 80 members.

At Fundo in Dzivarasekwa and Mahlabezulu in Tshabalala, Headmasters told members that they were not to blame for school fee hikes and that parents should speak to the School Development Associations (SDA). However, at Mahlabezulu, SDA members were present but when the leader was approached by protester she was struck dumb and walked away.

In Bulawayo members sang: “Into yemfundo sifuna ukuyibhoboza”, which can be loosely translated as ‘we want expose this issue of education’. In Harare as they marched they sang in Shona, “Schools are expensive and unaffordable”.

As promised, WOZA intends to give this issue its full attention until an appropriate compromise can be reached. Educational institutions, including the Ministry and its officials, will continue to be on the receiving end of WOZA’s brand of ‘Tough Love’ (peaceful protest) if they send children home who cannot pay.

Ends

23 May 2006
NOTE TO EDITORS:
For more information about WOZA and the protests conducted in Bulawayo and Harare, please contact Jenni Williams or Magodonga Mahlangu on + 263 91 300 456 or + 263 91 898 110 or Annie Sibanda on +263 91 898 112. Or email us at wozazimbabwe@yahoo.com

WOZA MOYA - DEMANDS TO HEADMASTERS

Last week WOZA conducted peaceful demonstrations against school fee increases. 73 children and 112 parents were arrested. We spent 5 days in filthy police cells. We did not do this for nothing - we did it to defend our children’s right to education! We will NOT remain SILENT. We will not sit back and watch you sending our innocent children home. WE WILL ACT!

Chigwedere said Headmasters are responsible. So Headmasters, this letter is a peaceful word of advice from WOZA. Help us educate our children don’t frustrate our efforts. MOTHERS DEMAND THEIR CHILDREN’S RIGHT TO EDUCATION! Stop this war against our children! In 1980 Zanu PF promised free primary education to the children of Zimbabwe. Within ten years, this had become an empty promise. They blame ESAP and the IMF but the truth is that they chose to spend money on weapons and war in other countries instead of giving us education and health.

This Mothers’ Day, mothers are saying to the government: NO more buying weapons to oppress us - YES to educating our children NO to a Government that makes children suffer - YES to educated and healthy children NO more lies and empty promises - YES to leaders who care and tell us the truth NO more massive school fee increases - YES to affordable education for all As mothers of the nation, we call on the government and Headmasters to stop the fee increases. We also call on schools not to turn away our children because their parents are not free to earn a living honestly and pay these high fees.

Technorati Tags: Zimbabwe, WOZA, women, Schools, Jenni Williams, social justice, education, peaceful protest, Mothers, action, non violence, protest, police, arrest, gender

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