WOZA members beaten in Bulawayo today; at least 11 arrested – concern for their whereabouts
Members of WOZA took to the streets today. They were beaten by the police. At least 59 have needed to seek medical attention.
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.
More on the WOZA website – you can leave a comment for them there too
May 5th, 2008 21:31
DEATH OF DEMOCRACY!!
Everyone in Zimbabwe is living in fear of the Mugabe regime. People cannot express themselves peacefully. They are even intimidating for expressing their will in a ballot box. If you have a relative amongst the security forces please advise him/her not to be used for evil purposes. They would rather leave the job for God’s sake. Thou shall not kill. I know life is hard but can you be paid a monthly salary of US$30 for killing innocent people?
May 5th, 2008 23:37
Innocent people getting beaten for simply voicing an opinion is totally unacceptable. They hadn’t been physically violent at all and this happens. I really worry for the people of Zimbabwe. I do hope that Tsvangirai gets the presidency.
May 6th, 2008 07:25
A perfect example of dictatorship. Why has Nelson Mandela not intervened ? It seems all the African countries like to sit and watch murder, corruption, and poverty as part of their lives. Shocking state of affairs. May Morgan change all of this for all the people in Zim and may it come soon. How much longer can we keep a brave face ? Do they really only want to see the worst coming out from this before they will act ? What is wrong with the human race ?Does bloodshed turn them on ? and they all want to stand for democracy ?
May 6th, 2008 10:32
I ask: Do the people of Zimbabwe really want to live like this for another 5 years? NO!! well you must pull yourselves together & I mean “everyone” and push Mugabe out by expressing you vote once again whether it involves violence or not for ZANU-PF coz that the only way they know how to resolve a problem or hang onto power. It would only be a pleasure to vote if were allowed to outside Zimbabwe, the more the better because it make it difficult to rig.
Cricket
May 6th, 2008 12:09
From Woza’s Web site
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
May 6th, 2008 14:25
@exbulawayo – Madiba (Nelson Mandela) has not been very active in the public, for what feels like a very long time. He is not all that well, needs lots of rest. He has done so much and more than his share, we cannot expect him to do it forever. The younger generations must now proof their leadership.
Unfortunately, it is not always clear from media reports, who is worthy to lead us:
http://www.swradioafrica.com/pages/mbekifoundout050508.htm
Mbeki tells SA pastors bluntly that he supports Mugabe.
May 6th, 2008 17:17
I am somewhat confused about Mandela.  I was led to beleive that he is still considered extremely influencial, politically and spiritually among the African leadership. I understand he is ill etc but he is due to to London for his birthday pop concert.   Surely that is more taxing than saying his piece about the state of Zim and showing support for the people. He said quite a while ago that the people of Zimbabwe, ‘knew what they had to do’… but they have done what they had to do ……? So one has to wonder where the great leader is at this time when we desperatly need support from African leaders.
May 7th, 2008 20:20
Mandela 90th b/day and they are holding a concert in London in his honour and he says they can only do that if they support his charities his and Operha’s….SO GIRLS TOMORROW IS INTERNATIONAL WOMANS WEEK WHAT ARE WE DOING FOR IT…I wonder if Grace is a member in Malaysia (I might have to look that one up and write to there organisation there if she is……Any news on the WOZA detainees?…..
May 9th, 2008 09:57
If the international community cannot be moved by such evidence of moral decadence, I don’t know what else Zimbabweans should do to stop this slow motion horror. It defies logic and an absolute shame that we should be be parading such barbarity when the whole world is getting more enlightened ( even quark Castro’s Cuba is finally seeing the light). Think for a moment, the people behind these gruesome images are being made to do it and the people ordering this mayhem are themselves captives of a higher order. I say Mugabe must be made to account for this. The fact that such violence is commonplace elsewhere in the world should not be used as an excuse to let it fester in Zimbabwe.
May 10th, 2008 08:49
Well the WOZA girls are out for now and the charges are rediculous but hey what’s new….Good job everyone….
http://www.wozazimbabwe.org/…read this a judge with a brain…..