A review of October confirms that organised, large-scale politically motivated violence is escalating at a worrying level.   Media reports indicate that the violence is planned and perpetrated by members of Zanu-PF and the armed forces under instruction from the highest levels, and is aimed not just at their partners in the GPA, but also at the general populace.

Strategies adopted by Zanu-PF to retain power are always multi-faceted.  The main tool in their arsenal is to ramp up the violence and build a climate of fear.  In addition, members of “opposition” parties are having to face continuous legal harassment resulting from trumped-up cases against them. Marches and demonstrations are being banned or blocked by the police, even when approved by the courts. Commentators believe that the violence and harassment is designed to intimidate the electorate prior to elections planned for next year.

During October, a total of 67 media articles were recorded for Zimbabwe Inclusive Government Watch. Among these articles, the greatest number of violations related to violence, intimidation,  hate speech and abductions.((45% of total).  22% of the articles related to violations in the form of legal harassment of opposition politicians and perceived supporters involving legal cases.Denial of the right to freedom of assembly and association comprised six articles (9% of total), while violations of the GPA related to land followed (6% of total).

We have compiled ten articles at the end of this report to represent the month’s media coverage of events in relation to the GPA.  The ZIG Watch section of the Sokwanele website carries additional information about further breaches in this issue, as well as a comprehensive archive of breaches for previous issues (please visit http://www.sokwanele.com/zigwatch for further information).

The first article illustrating breaches of the terms of the GPA in the form of violence, intimidation, hate speech, threats, abductions and brutality reports on the case of a diamond dealer who told a court that state security agents tortured him until he passed out. This, he explained, was part of an elaborate, trumped-up plot to make him confess to working with MDC-99 leader Job Sikhala in shady Marange diamond deals. The state accused Sikhala of kidnapping Mapurisa Tonderai Kuzipa, an illegal diamond dealer. Prosecutors claimed that Sikhala gave Kuzipa money to buy diamonds and alleged that he did not supply the precious stones. However, Kuzipa collapsed the state’s case when he denied ever having any dealings with Sikhala, or receiving any money, and then went on to relate the torture to which he had been subjected.

There were reports in October on the trauma faced by low-income stall holders at Harare’s Mupedzanhamo market who believed correctly that the Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Act did not apply to them. To their dismay, these entrepreneurs were told they were wrong by groups of youths [believed to be Zanu-PF Chipangano thugs] who invaded the market, brandishing letters allegedly authorising ejection of any trader believed to be opposed to the black empowerment programme. ‘‘They accused stall holders of belonging to MDC, (supposedly opposed to indigenisation), saying we should leave Mupedzanhamo. Hundreds of MDC supporters have been booted out,’’ said a stall holder on 14 October.

To clarify the situation, the Indigenisation Act requires only medium to large local white-owned, or foreign-owned companies to relinquish 51% of their shares or interests to indigenous Zimbabweans.  It only applies to foreign-owned businesses worth more than US$500.000 nett value.

Intimidation and vocal disruptions by Zanu-PF elements of public hearings on the Electoral Amendment Bill in October forced the parliamentary committee to compromise quality for security. The committee resorted to calling for written submissions only, to protect contributors. The decision to cancel hearings in at least three districts was reached after Zanu-PF thugs made it impossible for people to contribute freely in public, thus curtailing the right of ordinary Zimbabweans to freedom of speech.  In the Masvingo and Marondera districts over the week of 17 October, groups of Zanu-PF members repeatedly disturbed proceedings whenever suspected MDC supporters were expressing their views. People were also verbally threatened.

The MDC-T MP for Bulawayo South, Eddie Cross, fell victim to a disgraceful incident of violence and intimidation when he was subjected to death threats from suspected CIO members in response to revelations he made during Parliament about corruption at the Chiadzwa diamond fields. Cross had tabled a motion calling for nationalisation of the diamond mines to control rampant theft.  He had then detailed the situation at Chiadzwa where only a fraction of diamond profits are being seen by the State, with senior members of Government, Zanu-PF and the armed forces involved in the exploitation. Cross’s motion was adopted on 27 October. After the session he was threatened by a Zanu-PF member, with more threats following over several days, becoming more abusive and threatening his life.

In another incident of violence and intimidation, on 30 October, over 100 Zanu-PF youths were bussed in to interrupt a rally in the Hatcliffe constituency that the co Home Affairs Minister, Theresa Makone, who had written clearance from the police, was due to address. MDC-T supporters retaliated and Zanu-PF’s Chipangano gang members dispersed in all directions. Only then did police intervene, firing teargas and rubber bullets at MDC-T supporters, injuring several people. “… MDC people were defending themselves but ended up on the receiving end of police brutality,” said Emmanuel Chiroto, an MDC-T councillor. This incident is recorded as a breach of the GPA for both the MDC-T and Zanu PF party.

In a case demonstrating harassment of perceived opposition politicians and supporters via the courts,  Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) leaders Jenni Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu appeared in court in Bulawayo on 6 October, but were remanded to 12 December as most prosecutors were still on strike. This case also highlighted the abuse of those detained for “political” reasons in Zimbabwean jails. WOZA members arrested alongside Williams and Mahlangu at the 21 September Peace Day Protest filed a complaint against riot squad officers. The ten complained that officers who beat and arrested them also used highly offensive language on all protestors.

In a different case of legal harassment, we give special mention to MDC-T youth leader Solomon Madzore, the subject of several media articles this month. He was arrested on 3 October and faced charges believed to be trumped-up of murdering police inspector Petros Mutedza in Glen View in May. The State insisted that Madzore had been “on the run” for the last five months. His lawyers applied for bail on 12 October, but the application was postponed for two days. On Friday 14, it was again postponed to Monday 17 after the State prosecutor said he was not ready and thereafter it was again postponed.

Widespread arrests of MDC-T officials and supporters in Matabeleland North, which began with the visit by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai on 20 October, continued during the week. A dozen or more people were detained, with many being denied their constitutional rights. They formed part of a general crackdown on the MDC-T countrywide. The Prime Minister had fierce run-ins with the police and several MDC-T district organisers were rounded up for hosting their leader.  This took place in pre-dawn raids on the homes of Thembinkosi Sibindi, Matabeleland North provincial organising secretary, and the Hwange West district chairperson, Bernard Nyamambi, by police armed with search warrants for “subversive materials”.

Denial of the right to freedom of assembly continued, with police in Lupane blocking an MDC-T rally on 29 October, despite a court order allowing it to take place. Thirty five armed police officers in riot gear besieged the venue at St Paul’s and disrupted proceedings. The officers ordered kitchen staff and MDC-T members to evacuate the venue. Police also blocked Tsvangirai’s tour of St Paul’s Mission Hospital. Tsvangirai was on a government work programme visit to Matabeleland North Province. On Thursday 27, he was in Tsholotsho to assess the business situation in the region before going to Binga and Lupane.

Finally, an article dated 14 October reviews several breaches of the land clause in the GPA. Despite the GPA’s calls for accountability and for the restoration of full productivity on all agricultural land, formally white-owned citrus farms that used to generate significant foreign currency for the country, as well as providing oranges for local beverage companies, are lying idle. A survey indicates that Zanu-PF politicians who grabbed the most productive citrus farms in the Chegutu district from their commercial owners have deserted them after disposing of valuable equipment.

On Lionsvale farm, grabbed by former deputy minister Bright Matonga, orange trees are dying from lack of attention. Most of the equipment stolen by Matonga is no longer operational. At Stockdale Estates, grabbed by Senate President Edna Madzongwe`s son, the farm was abandoned after the equipment had been sold. Hippovale farm, grabbed by Zimpapers journalist Emilia Zindi, is also being underutilised. Zindi and her sons are accused of vandalising and stealing farm equipment.

CIO, cops tortured me to confess – Kuzipa
Zimbabwean, The (ZW): 05/10/2011

State security agents tortured a diamond dealer until he passed out to make him confess to working with MDC-99 leader Job Sikhala in shady Marange diamond deals, a magistrate’s court heard on Friday. The state accuses Sikhala, the leader of a breakaway MDC faction, of kidnapping diamond dealer Mapurisa Tonderai Kuzipa in what the MDC-99 leader says is a trumped-up charge. Prosecutors claim Sikhala gave Kuzipa money to buy diamonds, but he allegedly did not supply the precious stones. Kuzipa denied ever having any dealings with Sikhala or receiving any money. He further told the court that police and intelligence operatives tortured him until he lost consciousness to force him into making a confession implicating Sikhala.

• ARTICLE II: DECLARATION OF COMMITMENT
• ARTICLE VII : PROMOTION OF EQUALITY, NATIONAL HEALING, COHESION AND UNITY
• ARTICLE XIII : STATE ORGANS AND INSTITUTIONS
• ARTICLE XVIII : SECURITY OF PERSONS AND PREVENTION OF VIOLENCE

ZIMBABWE – Some are more indigenous than others
IRIN (UN): 14/10/2011

Stallholders at Mupedzanhamo market on the outskirts of Harare thought they were immune to the 2008 Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Act, which requires large businesses such as banks and mining companies to relinquish at least 51 percent of their shares or interests to indigenous Zimbabweans. They were wrong. Recently groups of youths have descended on the market, brandishing letters allegedly authorising them to eject any trader they believe is opposed to the black empowerment programme. ‘‘They accused me and other stallholders of belonging to MDC, which they said is opposed to indigenisation, and said we should stop doing business at Mupedzanhamo. Hundreds of MDC supporters have been booted out this year,’’ said a stallholder.

• ARTICLE II: DECLARATION OF COMMITMENT
• ARTICLE III : RESTORATION OF ECONOMIC STABILITY AND GROWTH
• ARTICLE VII : PROMOTION OF EQUALITY, NATIONAL HEALING, COHESION AND UNITY
• ARTICLE XI : RULE OF LAW, RESPECT FOR THE CONSTITUTION AND OTHER LAWS
• ARTICLE XVIII : SECURITY OF PERSONS AND PREVENTION OF VIOLENCE

Electoral Amendment hearings suspended due to ZPF violence
SW Radio Africa (ZW): 20/10/2011

Intimidation and vocal disruptions by Zanu-PF elements during public hearings on the Electoral Amendment Bill have forced the parliamentary committee to call for written submissions only, in order to protect contributors. A decision to cancel public hearings in at least three districts was reached after Zanu-PF thugs caused chaos, making it impossible for people to make contributions freely. In Masvingo on Wednesday, a group of mostly of Zanu-PF women repeatedly broke into song whenever suspected MDC supporters were expressing their views. On Monday in Marondera, hearings at Nehanda Hall were cancelled after Zanu-PF supporters prevented anyone suspected to be MDC from contributing by chanting slogans and singing songs. People were also verbally threatened.

• ARTICLE II: DECLARATION OF COMMITMENT
• ARTICLE VII : PROMOTION OF EQUALITY, NATIONAL HEALING, COHESION AND UNITY
• ARTICLE VIII : RESPECT FOR NATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND EVENTS
• ARTICLE XI : RULE OF LAW, RESPECT FOR THE CONSTITUTION AND OTHER LAWS
• ARTICLE XVIII : SECURITY OF PERSONS AND PREVENTION OF VIOLENCE

MDC-T MP threatened by CIO over diamond revelations
SW Radio Africa (ZW): 31/10/2011

MDC-T MP for Bulawayo South, Eddie Cross, has faced serious threats from suspected CIO members, in the wake of revelations he made during parliament about corruption at Chiadzwa diamond fields. Cross earlier this month tabled a motion in Parliament calling for the diamond mines to be nationalised to control rampant theft, then detailed the situation at Chiadzwa where only a fraction of profits are being seen by the State. Senior members of Government, Zanu-PF and the armed forces were said to be involved in the exploitation. Cross’s motion was adopted last week Thursday. After the session he was threatened by a Zanu-PF member, with more threats over several days becoming more abusive and threatening his life.

• ARTICLE II: DECLARATION OF COMMITMENT
• ARTICLE III : RESTORATION OF ECONOMIC STABILITY AND GROWTH
• ARTICLE VII : PROMOTION OF EQUALITY, NATIONAL HEALING, COHESION AND UNITY
• ARTICLE XI : RULE OF LAW, RESPECT FOR THE CONSTITUTION AND OTHER LAWS
• ARTICLE XIII : STATE ORGANS AND INSTITUTIONS
• ARTICLE XVIII : SECURITY OF PERSONS AND PREVENTION OF VIOLENCE

Pandemonium as MDC-T and Zanu-PF supporters clash
SW Radio Africa (ZW): 31/10/2011

Police had to fire teargas and rubber bullets during clashes between MDC-T and Zanu-PF supporters in Hatcliffe, a constituency held by co-Home Affairs Minister Theresa Makone’s constituency. Police intervened after supporters of the MDC-T defended their right to assemble as they sent Zanu-PF’s Chipangano gang members scurrying in all directions. Over 100 Zanu-PF youths were bussed in to interrupt a rally that was to be addressed by Makone, who had clearance in writing from police to hold the rally. Police fired teargas and rubber bullets and several people were injured in the melee. ‘… MDC people were defending themselves but ended up on the receiving end of police brutality,’ said Emmanuel Chiroto, an MDC-T councillor.

• ARTICLE VII : PROMOTION OF EQUALITY, NATIONAL HEALING, COHESION AND UNITY
• ARTICLE X : FREE POLITICAL ACTIVITY
• ARTICLE XI : RULE OF LAW, RESPECT FOR THE CONSTITUTION AND OTHER LAWS
• ARTICLE XII : FREEDOM OF ASSEMBLY AND ASSOCIATION
• ARTICLE XIII : STATE ORGANS AND INSTITUTIONS
• ARTICLE XVIII : SECURITY OF PERSONS AND PREVENTION OF VIOLENCE

Williams, Mahlangu appear in court
Sokwanele.com: 07/10/2011

WOZA leaders Jennifer Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu appeared in Court in Bulawayo 6th, but were remanded to 12 December (most prosecutors being on strike). Members arrested alongside Williams and Mahlangu at the 21 September Peace Day protest filed a complaint against Riot squad officers on that day. The ten complained that officers who beat and arrested them used foul language on all protestors.

• ARTICLE VII : PROMOTION OF EQUALITY, NATIONAL HEALING, COHESION AND UNITY
• ARTICLE XIII : STATE ORGANS AND INSTITUTIONS
• ARTICLE XVIII : SECURITY OF PERSONS AND PREVENTION OF VIOLENCE

Madzore’s bail judgment set for Thursday
SW Radio Africa (ZW): 18/10/2011

MDC-T youth leader Solomon Madzore will have to wait until Thursday to find out if he will be set free from custody on murder charges. Madzore was arrested two weeks ago and is facing trumped-up charges of murdering police inspector Petros Mutedza in Glen View, back in May. The bail application by Madzore was first postponed from last week Wednesday to Friday. On Friday it was postponed to Monday after the State prosecutor said he was not ready. On Monday Justice Hlekani Mwayera postponed the ruling to Tuesday, saying she needed time to review the state’s response. On Tuesday it was decided that judgment will be delivered on Thursday.

• ARTICLE II: DECLARATION OF COMMITMENT
• ARTICLE VII : PROMOTION OF EQUALITY, NATIONAL HEALING, COHESION AND UNITY
• ARTICLE XIII : STATE ORGANS AND INSTITUTIONS

Mass arrests of MDC activists in Matebeleland
Zimbabwean, The (ZW): 30/10/2011

The attacks on MDC supporters in Matabeleland North, which began with the visit by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai on Thursday last week, have continued this week, with widespread arrests. A dozen or more people have been detained, with many denied their rights to be charged or released, or to have access to a lawyer. They are part of the general crackdown on the MDC countrywide. The PM had fierce run-ins with the police and several MDC district organisers were rounded up for hosting the MDC leader. Police armed with search warrants for subversive materials carried out a pre-dawn raid on the homes of Thembinkosi Sibindi, Matabeleland North provincial organising secretary and Hwange West district chairperson, Bernard Nyamambi.

• ARTICLE II: DECLARATION OF COMMITMENT
• ARTICLE VII : PROMOTION OF EQUALITY, NATIONAL HEALING, COHESION AND UNITY
• ARTICLE X : FREE POLITICAL ACTIVITY
• ARTICLE XII : FREEDOM OF ASSEMBLY AND ASSOCIATION
• ARTICLE XIII : STATE ORGANS AND INSTITUTIONS

Zimbabwe police disrupt MDC-T rally in Lupane
Bulawayo24 News: 29/10/2011

Police in Lupane have blocked an MDC-T rally despite a court order allowing for it to take place. 35 police officers all in riot gear and carrying guns besieged the venue at St Paul’s and disrupted proceedings. The officers ordered the women who were preparing food to evacuate the place and dismissed 968 members who were already at the venue.. Police also blocked Morgan Tsvangirai’s tour of St Paul’s Mission Hospital. Tsvangirai is on a government work programme visit to Matabeleland North Province. On Thursday, he was in Tsholotsho to assess the business situation in the region before going to Binga and Lupane.

• ARTICLE II: DECLARATION OF COMMITMENT
• ARTICLE VII : PROMOTION OF EQUALITY, NATIONAL HEALING, COHESION AND UNITY
• ARTICLE X : FREE POLITICAL ACTIVITY
• ARTICLE XII : FREEDOM OF ASSEMBLY AND ASSOCIATION
• ARTICLE XIII : STATE ORGANS AND INSTITUTIONS

Citrus farms lie idle as land grabbers give up
Zimbabwean, The (ZW): 14/10/2011

Citrus farms that used to generate foreign currency for the country as well as providing oranges for local beverage companies are lying idle. A survey conducted indicates that Zanu-PF politicians who grabbed the most productive citrus farms in Chegutu from their commercial owners have deserted them after disposing of valuable equipment. On Lionsvale farm, grabbed by former deputy minister Bright Matonga, orange trees are dying from lack of attention. Most of the equipment grabbed by Matonga is grounded. The story is the same at Stockdale Estates, which was grabbed by Senate President Edna Madzongwe`s son. Madzongwe abandoned the farm after selling the equipment. Hippovale farm, grabbed by Zimpapers journalist Emilia Zindi, is also being underutilised.

• ARTICLE II: DECLARATION OF COMMITMENT
• ARTICLE III : RESTORATION OF ECONOMIC STABILITY AND GROWTH
• ARTICLE V: LAND QUESTION
• ARTICLE XI : RULE OF LAW, RESPECT FOR THE CONSTITUTION AND OTHER LAWS

Two leaders of Women of Zimbabwe Arise, Jenni Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu have now spent nine days at Mlondolozi Prison near Bulawayo after their arrest on September 21.  On September 23 they were remanded in custody until October 6, on charges of kidnap and theft, and the following day an urgent application for bail was lodged with the High Court.  A week later the Court is yet to set down a date for the bail hearing, in spite of the fact that bail applications are normally treated with urgency.

The two have denied the charges, which allege that they held another woman for 6 hours and stole a torch. They state that the woman willingly accompanied them to assist in retrieving property stolen from WOZA, and the torch in question was voluntarily handed to them. Further they argue that even if they were to be convicted on such incredible allegations, the sentence might well consist of community service or even a suspended sentence, rather than a custodial one.

The state is opposing bail on the grounds that the two have been avoiding arrest and hiding from the police, in spite of the fact that they have been living openly in Bulawayo.  Surprisingly, the affidavit supporting the state’s position is signed by none other than Detective Sergeant Ngwenya of the Law and Order Department, who states that he had been attempting to arrest the two on these charges for some time. It is surely an anomaly that such an apparently common criminal matter should be handled by Law and Order instead of CID, as would be expected -  a fact which leads us to believe that these are not ordinary charges, but intended to harass the WOZA leadership and frustrate the activities of a movement which is peacefully promoting democracy and social justice.

Another ground given for opposing bail is that the two have pending charges relating to unlawful demonstrations, blocking the pavement and failing to inform the regulating authority.  These charges have however been made irrelevant by a ruling obtained by WOZA from the Supreme Court in 2010 allowing that WOZA’s peaceful demonstrations are indeed lawful. We find the delay in setting down a date for a bail hearing a denial of justice under the circumstances, and hope that this will be remedied very soon.

Meanwhile, we would like to inform sympathisers and supporters that their words and acts in solidarity are greatly appreciated and help to keep up the morale of the two prisoners. We urge them to continue to communicate with Mlondolozi Prison to request the authorities not to abuse the rights of the two.

Action Alert

Amnesty International has urged members of the public to petition the Minister of Justice and Legal Affairs, Patrick Chinamasa and Attorney General, Johannes Toman. You can help by supporting this urgent action now!

Other useful numbers are:
Regional Prisons Headquarters (Bulawayo): +263 9 71458/71468
Mlondolozi Prison: +263 9 64228

Other News Links:
http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk/human-rights/53311/human-rights-amnesty-petitions-govt.html
http://www.swradioafrica.com/news290911/mdcwoman290911.htm

Ends

For more information, please phone Nolwandle on +263 772 898 110 or email info@wozazimbabwe.org. More information can also be found on our website at www.wozazimbabwe.org

I am now convinced that the acronym ZESA stands for Zimbabwe Electricity Sometimes Available. Power cuts in Zimbabwe are long and frequent, and contrary to the parastatal’s information, do not follow a strict load-shedding time table. This year, the power cuts seem to have doubled.

Several street protests held by Woman of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) in the past two years have persistently carried the theme, that the cost of our domestic electricity is too high and considering the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) enjoys a statutory monopoly, consumers have no one else to blame and ZESA cannot fob off responsibility.

Residents have had to resort to alternative sources of energy; those who can afford it buy generators which are costly to run given the high price of petrol and diesel, gas stoves do fill the gap, but again are expensive to run and there is no gas delivery in this country, fire wood is a common substitute and comes with the obvious consequence of environmental degradation.

Even with reduced power usage, the cost of ZESA has not gone down, in fact we have just been hit with the catastrophic news that our costs are going to increase by a staggering 31% . One still has to fork out a couple of hard earned “Benjamin Franklins” from the pocket each month end. And despite increased power cuts, there has never been a time that ZESA has awarded a discount to consumers. In fact, somehow residents are expected to cope with the interest on back bills and estimated bills, some as far back as 2009 when dollarization occurred and the power company revalued bills on a US$ basis, with consumers having to bear the brunt of excessive costs.

ZESA lacks capacity to read electricity meters on a monthly basis so bills are often a thumbsuck on their part. When consumers query exorbitant bills they first have to pay their $100 fee for reconnection before their queries are investigated, with no hope of compensation if the consumer is in the right.

Yet, we remain beholden to our Southern African Development Community (SADC) states, having to send power to them for debts owed. There is no hope in sight that our power woes will end, and we will continue to suffer the burden of dark nights, forking our massive amounts just to be able to cook and heat a little water.

Press statement
Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA)

Women and Men of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) 300 member’s representatives delivered 101 000 ‘anti abuse of power’ petition signatures, red cards and symbolic ‘Coffins’  to Parliament for onward submission to the Anti Corruption and Monopolies Committee on Wednesday 24 August 2011. Riot Police made a police line and refused to allow anyone to cross. The coffin carrying protest group 50 meters from reaching the door of parliament.

Some leaders managed to cross the police line with the red cards and box of petitions but the Coffin ‘pall bearers’  were stopped by the police officers who then ‘arrested’ the coffins.

A Riot Police officer was overheard making a call to his superior from his mobile phone.  Obviously speaking to a secretary, he said – “Tell the boss I have WOZA here what should I do. Its urgent, the first group has arrived and there are many. “Getting no immediate solace, he had to keep insisting on the urgency and eventually was given some response and hung up the phone putting it his pocket and just moving to stand with others. A plain clothed intelligence agent was then heard calling his superior and confirming the orders ‘leave them alone and let them do what they want.”  A 30 minute stand-off ensued whilst the activists used alternative routes to deliver the petitions.

During this time a huge group of passers-by gathered to read the flyers; watch the drama unfolding, and to comment on the Electricity issue.  Members sang Shona language songs, calling for removal al of the ZESA monopoly.  When the riot police became aggressive, they switched to song, Udzvanyiriri ndiwo unei (so what is this oppression all about) and ‘munu wese ane kodzero’ (everyone has rights, even police officers). Various members took the opportunity to address the gathering and bemoaned the challenges of continual power cuts and the need to spend money on alternative means light and fuel to cook food.

A police van approached driving at speed towards the procession causing the peaceful activists to scatter. The police officers then took the change to push their line with reinforcements and order the members to disperse.

Members had mandated their leaders to deliver the petitions calling for the Electricity monopoly to end.  This is part of the WOZA anti Abuse of power campaign which has so far involved delivery of ‘yellow cards’ and now ‘red cards’ to suburban and central officers of the power utility. WOZA are pressurising the parliamentary committee as they have already conducted many public hearings but are yet to take action. ZESA has also recently threatened to raise rates. Member with a fixed system of Electricity which works on fixed amps, are given a fixed charge which does not cater for the power cuts. Members also feel that they could be better off with prepaid meters than paying a full bill for a part service.

These 101 000 petition signature sheets were what remained after police raided the WOZA office on after the 10 June raid and removed sheets of signatures. An initial count with was in progress when they raided revealed that at least one million signatures had been received.

On Monday 22 August 13 members were indiscriminately arrested in Bulawayo but released within a few hours. Police officers in Harare did not disturb the peace but violated our right to reach our parliament and to hand over our petitions.

Officials from the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Holdings have since called WOZA National Coordinator Jenni Williams to arrange a meeting to discuss members concerns.

At 2:15pm 30 members went to the Joint Monitoring and Implementation Committee (Jomic) offices in Avondale Harare to hand over a second further letter of complaint. Jomic is responsible for the monitoring and implementation of the Global Political Agreement. WOZA have complained of police harassment and the visit yesterday was to pressure Jomic to respond to previous letters of complaint about the 10 June 2011 raid of WOZA offices by Zimbabwe Republic Police. The members,  found that the receptionist and serious officials were still away on the lunch break and had to hand over their letter to a junior officer. The spent 15 minutes singing and awaiting senior officers to no avail. WOZA Leaders, Williams and Mahlangu threatened to come back with a larger group if Jomic did not correspond and take their complaints seriously.

Ends

For more information, please call Jenni Williams +263 772 898 110 or +263 712 213 885 or Magodonga Mahlangu +263 772 362 668 or email info@wozazimbabwe.org or wozazimbabwe@yahoo.com or wozazimbabwe@googlemail.com. Visit our website at www.wozazimbabwe.org. You can also follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/wozazimbabwe or find us on Facebook.

Press statement
Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA)

Twenty members have been arrested in Bulawayo around noon on 22 August 2011. These arrests followed protests to the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Company over poor service. Five hundred members, in four separate protests managed to converge on the Power station to deliver 63 000 signatures that remained after police seized the million signatures on the ‘anti abuse of power’ petition signatures. As they marched they distributed flyers. They also delivered ‘red cards’ and 4 mock coffins symbolising the need for ‘parliament to bury ZESA’ or remove the monopoly.

Town looked perfectly normal until 11:30 am when large contingent of police were deployed. Over one hundred police officers, many in full Riot police gear conducted arbitrary ‘stop and search’ of anyone walking. Other officers stopped every commuter omnibuses enroute into the CDB and searched handbags and people’s pockets. The police officers told some members that they were looking for WOZA material.

Plain clothed Criminal Investigating Officers were also present in their large numbers in the vicinity of the protest.  This dragnet resulted in 10 members from one area were arrested as they waited for their demonstration to start. Due to heavy presence of police around town, two of the four processions had to relocate members to their plan B beginning points. These last minute changes resulted in some members being too frightened to March or getting lost in the relocation.

As the 3 protests arrived at the Power stations officers, they dropped off the coffin and red cards and the petitions before dispersing. The fourth protest arrived as the ZESA office staff, were taking in the petitions and coffin, as the peaceful activists arrived carrying the 4th coffin, the staff actually thanked them for the coffin and took it into the office.  Passersby commended the activists for dealing ‘with ZESA’ and said at least the police ‘allowed’ them time to dance at the ZESA office.

After the protests two more groups, bringing the number of arrests to 20, with at least two members being handcuffed. Lawyers have been deployed.

WOZA national coordinator, Jenni Williams who participated in the procession issued this comment: ‘I wish to pay tribute to WOZA members for showing determination to deliver a strong telling off to ZESA despite being searched and intimidated’. With the huge presence of police, who were thoroughly searching each person, I did not expect any procession to get started, but members strategised. They sneaked into town all their reds cards, flyers, petitions with 63 000 signatures on petitions, 4 huge cardboard Coffins and placards and managed to march and deliver their message.

WOZA would also like to thank members of the public for saving at least 5 members from arrest by plain clothed police officers by tipping them off that the officers were talking about arresting them. A similar protest on 10 May 2011, to the power station resulted in over 50 members being beaten. Members of WOZA and MOZA did research on 1434 households last year and found that:

1. The average home spends 101 hours per month without ELECTRICITY that is over 15% of the hours in one month. This year power cuts have doubled.
2. Most people spend 3/4 of the cost of the ZESA bill buying alternative fuel so they can cook food!
3. More than 50% of homes pay a fixed charge, if they don’t pay they are cut off, they don’t get any discount for power cuts and are charged interest on back bills and estimate bills.
4. Of the 1434 homes, only 42 homes had prepaid meters.

These are some of the reasons WOZA are giving ZESA a red card – they are a danger to our pockets and they don’t have customer care or improve their service.  Millions of Zimbabweans are being robbed. ZESA is abusing POWER and parliament must remove the power monopoly. WOZA members want prepaid meters and affordable, fair electricity service, with actual bills and proper load shedding timetables.

For more information, please call Jenni Williams +263 772 898 110 or +263 712 213 885 or Magodonga Mahlangu +263 772 362 668 or emailinfo@wozazimbabwe.org or wozazimbabwe@yahoo.com orwozazimbabwe@googlemail.com. Visit our website atwww.wozazimbabwe.org. You can also follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/wozazimbabwe or find us on Facebook.
Editors note: WOZA leaders Williams and Mahlangu won a Supreme Court ruling that found they were unlawfully arrested in 2008 during a peaceful protest. This ruling has resulted in members arrested in 4 separate incidents to win discharge from the courts, the recent one on 15 August 2011. Although winning discharge in the courts, police continue to arrest the activists with impunity. Anti Abuse of Power Petition – Working together to say HOKOYO (be warned) to Zimbabwe Electricity Holdings and Subsidiary Companies. WOZA and MOZA will submit these petition signatures the Anti corruption and Monopolies Committee of Parliament to demand prepaid meters and more affordable and efficient electricity supply for all Zimbabweans.

The information in this report has been gathered by civic activists and credible researchers who wish to remain anonymous for both their security and the security of those who helped them compile the data. Sokwanele is facilitating dissemination of this information.

Click on the following links to download the report and associated documents: Over the past decade since 2000, there have been an enormous number of reports detailing the violence and the gross human rights violations that have accompanied Zimbabwe’s crisis. In all the reports – apart from the face-saving propaganda of the former ZANU PF government – it has been clear that the major victims have been members of the MDC [now MDC-T], as well as members of activist civic organizations such as the NCA, the ZCTU, WOZA, and others. It has also been clear that the overwhelming perpetrators have been supporters of ZANU PF, the youth militia, the so-called “war veterans”, and, most serious of all, state agents such as the police, the army, and the CIO.

This report is the first to demonstrate clearly the interactions between all these various groups of perpetrators, with the unequivocal demonstration that violence in Zimbabwe has been orchestrated by ZANU PF, both as party and as government. Whilst this is the obvious conclusion that can be drawn from the huge number of reports, there has been no evidence of a detailed nature to show this relationship. This is now shown by this report.

The report covers investigations in 15 of the Districts that have repeatedly been shown to have suffered from repeated violence, especially during elections.

The report, with its 11 Appendices, shows who is involved in the perpetration of violence, how it is organized, how it is resourced, and who suffers.

It identifies the bases from which terror is launched, and distressingly shows how many facilities belonging to the citizens of Zimbabwe are turned from their civic purpose into places of repression. Schools, clinics, community centres, police stations, and many other public facilities have been turned into places where gross human rights violations are perpetrated.

It identifies the people that are involved in the enterprise of coercing the ordinary people of Zimbabwe into support for ZANU PF: Ministers, Members of Parliament, policemen, army officers and other ranks, civil servants, Chiefs, village headmen, headmen, and many others. Hundreds of people are named as being involved in the terror apparatus.

Perpetrators by Organisation

The report outlines those who are responsible for the terror: the base commanders, those who provide resources, those who carry out the violence, and, above all, those who are ultimately responsible.

The report also demonstrates in detail the manner in which ZANU PF has taken hold of every aspect of rural life, with political control (and the attendant threat of violent retribution for resisting this control) both locally and centrally in the hands of ZANU PF. Small wonder that ZANU PF claims that the rural areas “support” them.

As the report concludes:

ZANU PF has clearly developed a comprehensive strategy for dealing with other parties competing in elections that strongly draws on its control of the structures and processes operating in the rural areas. Each aspect of a villager’s life, from the very ability to occupy land within the area, access to food, agricultural inputs, and, in some instances, access to his or her church, may be subject to the control of ZANU PF. This is accomplished through the control over formal governmental structures as provided by statute, the adulteration of these structures and legislated procedures, through traditional authorities, and through ZANU PF party structures and personnel in the area in question.

Any person attempting to evade this control can be swiftly dealt with by restricting the access to resources, and, in the event of the individual having some degree of independence or autonomy, through overt violence. The degree of pressure exerted appears to be adjusted according to the support or lack of support that ZANU PF has in each ward. For the purposes of elections then, ZANU PF is able, for example, to determine whether subtle pressures, using the control of resources can be used in some areas or whether overt violence is required. This is graphically illustrated if one compares the strategies adopted by ZANU PF in the elections of 2000, 2002 and 2008 with 2005. In the latter instance, ZANU PF clearly utilized the more subtle forms of coercion, which this report has intended to show are available, rather than outright violence.

What is remarkable that, given the power ZANU PF can exercise over villagers, any person living in the rural areas should admit to being an MDC supporter, let alone an activist. That many people still do so is a testimony to their courage and resilience.

ZLHR Press Release – Police on Monday 23 May 2011 arrested two Zimbabwe Human Rights Association (ZimRights) employees for allegedly convening a workshop to conscientise villagers about torture and its effects in Tsholotsho, Matabeleland North province.

Police intercepted and arrested Florence Ndlovu, the ZimRights regional coordinator for Matabeleland province and Walter Dube, the organisation’s paralegal officer for Matabeleland, Midlands and Masvingo provinces who were coming from Tshino Business Centre in Tsholotsho District, where the police had earlier on disrupted a torture workshop which was scheduled to be held on Monday 23 May 2011.

The police detained the two ZimRights employees at Nyamandlovu Police Station and denied Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) member lawyers Charles Moyo of Moyo and Nyoni Legal Practitioners and Jonathan Tsvangirai of Danziger and Partners Legal Practitioners access to their clients after mounting a rapid response to their arrest. The police denied detaining Ndlovu and Dube and claimed that the two ZimRights employees had been taken to Sipepa Business Centre despite evidence of their detention through the presence of their vehicle which was parked at the police station.

By Monday night, the lawyers were working on filing a habeas corpus petition to challenge the detention of the two ZimRights employees.

The police action in disrupting the ZimRights workshop is in defiance of a court order which was issued on Friday 20 May by Bulawayo Magistrate Ntombizodwa Mazhandu who interdicted some law enforcement agents from prohibiting the organisation from conducting the torture workshop in Matabeleland North province.

ZimRights was forced to engage the services of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) after the Officer Commanding Tsholotsho District in Matabeleland North banned the grassroots human rights organisation from holding the workshop after claiming that “the subject of torture is not in line with Zimbabwean culture”.

Magistrate Mazhandu interdicted the police from disturbing or interfering in any way with the ZimRights workshop and ordered the rights organisation to proceed with the workshop as scheduled and promote its right to freedom of association and assembly as set out in Section 21 of the constitution and the right to freedom of expression as guaranteed under Section 20 of the Constitution.

Meanwhile, Bulawayo Magistrate Gideon Ruwetsa on Monday 23 May 2011 granted bail to six members of Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) who were arrested last week and charged with malicious damage to property.

The six WOZA members namely Teresia Phiri, Janet Dube, Juliet Nyathi, Thobekile  Ncube, Sibekezele Nkomo, and Loyce Ndlovu were charged with contravening Section 140 of Criminal Law (Codification and Reform Act) Chapter 9:23, for malicious damage to property.

Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) member lawyers Kossan Ncube of Kossam Ncube and Partners and Godfrey Nyoni of Moyo and Nyoni Legal Practitioners represented the WOZA members.

The six WOZA members were ordered to pay $100 bail and to report once a fortnight to the police. They were also ordered to surrender their travel documents and to continue residing at their given residential addresses and not to interfere with State witnesses.

Six members, all women, were arrested along Khami Road in Bulawayo and detained at Western Commonage police station between 8 and 9pm Wednesday. The women are from Iminyela and Pelandaba suburbs. The members were arrested by police officers who accused them of painting messages on the road. The messages read- ‘power to poor people’ ; ‘no lengthy load shedding’ ; ‘prepaid meters now!’; focus on the electricity crisis in Zimbabwe.

WOZA fear torture of members, 14 members were tortured while in custody in March 2011. This morning, food brought by relatives and lawyers access was denied by Assistant Inspector Purazeni, the officer-in-charge at Western Commonage police station whose officers arrested the six, he is said to have indicated that the orders came from above.

WOZA, a women’s movement identify electricity supply as directly targeting the role of a woman in the home. As a result WOZA have lobbied the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) for close on 5 years to provide an affordable and regular service. A multi faceted protest strategy is used peacefully targeting local and city based company officials.

These arrests follow a 10th May protest to the Bulawayo electricity power station to launched a 6 week ‘Power to Poor People’ Campaign to ‘discipline’ the ZETDC for its daylight robbery to consumers. Members are also continuing to engage suburban office of the power company with consumer deputations to deliver ‘yellow cards’ with their demands. The campaign demands are:

1. Stop cheating fixed meter consumers, we demand prepaid meters.
2. Please provide cheaper firewood, candles and matches, we do not want to destroy our environment by cutting down trees.
3. We are tired of 18 hour power cuts -provide proper timetables of load shedding.
4. Urgently put in place a proper and transparent billing system. Stop sending metered consumer’s estimates, send ACTUAL bills.
5. Create a smoother process of customer’s claims for compensation.
6. Review recruitment policy and bring salaries to decent levels with our current economic record. Professionalise staff performance and honesty. No more luxury cars we need transformers.
7. We will record the exact hours we receive electricity for the last 2 weeks of May while we get petition signatures which we will take to Parliament and demand they review your monopoly and poor service. You have cheated us for long enough, after we submit our demand to parliament we will organise a RED card Campaign. Be warned POWER TO THE POOR – ZERO service ZERO bill. HOKOYO!!

The campaign includes obtaining signatures to a petition dubbed the ‘Anti Abuse of Power’ Petition; completing of a time sheet of power cuts and the delivering of a ‘yellow card’ to the company. WOZA has campaigned for affordable and available electricity since 2006 with its ‘power to the people’ campaigns. In response to a campaign demand the company have just advertise power cut schedules but have indicated that there will be longer cuts as this is winter in Zimbabwe.

Living in Zimbabwe as a woman I feel completely disempowered to do anything about the political situation and the effects it has on me and my family. The inclusive government, from what I can gather by the limited information I can access, is not delivering what it said it would after the horrors of 2008.

I understand that Zanu PF and the MDC are not working together in a manner to improve the political situation, alas from what I hear, it is beginning to get worse as talk of another election starts. Rumours of violence and political campaigning are gripping my community.

The decision makers are mostly men and the entrenched patriarchal system and cultural norms makes it ever more difficult for women to participate at any decision making level.  In 2008 there were 210 seats and only 30 (14.29%) were taken up by women.

Although at the grass roots level, women are active in mobilizing the electorate to vote in large numbers, their passion and activism is not reflected in positions of power despite making up 50% of the population.

Our political system in Zimbabwe would unquestionably benefit from an increased presence of women. However there are not many women who would voluntarily go into politics in its current state because it is just too difficult and they would rather use their talents to another way.

When I look at my own life, I ache to make a difference in my community, but that decision comes with risks. I know of many people who have become politically conscience have been met with violence, isolation or worse, several have been arrested at some point and even tortured.

And the time it would take to participate in civic or political activities would take me away from my children. Without adequate alternatives for child care, I am shackled from participation before I even begin. I have not however fully investigated my friends’ thoughts on this issue, perhaps if enough of us wanted to become involved in our own futures we could take turns with childcare – I don’t know?

Women and children have been the hardest hit sector from the political and economic crisis our country has endured. We are responsible for ensuring our children are fed, extended family members are safe and have often been the targets for political oppression through rape and abuse. Our sexual organs have become battle grounds. Yet we have almost no voice. When our men are targets for abuse, they with relative ease flee their homes, and if needed the country with the clothes on their backs. We cannot do that with children.

One woman in my area did become publically involved and became chastised and humiliated because she dared to criticise and speak her mind in an arena regarded as a male space. I don’t want that to happen to me.

I have heard of groups like WOZA with its brave members making statements against wrongs in government, but I also hear that they are frequently arrested and beaten. Am I brave enough to go through that, and do I believe it will really make a difference? Perhaps on my own, no. But if enough of us band together our voices will be strong, loud and important.

Surely we should have a voice, and stand shoulder to shoulder with our men and not in their shadow?

I hope we can begin to tackle some of these fears and discriminations as I am tired of having my world decided and created by others who do not understand, nor try to understand my needs and fears. We should begin to build strategic coalitions with our men in politics and find common ground on which to build on. We need a critical mass so we can no longer be dismissed or ignored.

And we must not assume that all men in political positions are gender insensitive. Can we try to identify those who have an open door policy and perhaps learn from them how to best put our ideas across without alienating other men?

But numbers alone are not enough. We must educate ourselves so that when given the opportunity to speak we can participate for the benefit of the women we speak with or on behalf of.

Let’s make a difference, take out futures into our own hands and work together with all to bring our beautiful country into a new dispensation of tolerance, peace and growth.

At 10am today, Monday 7 March, Women and Men of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) sprang an early International Women’s Day protest. As well as issues related to this special day, members wanted to protest the ongoing arrest and torture of members this last week. As protestors marched they issued a newsletter calling on SA president Jacob Zuma and SADC leaders to help us end the violence.

The five protests began from locations surrounding the High Court. Two of the protests managed to reach the 8th Avenue Court but three protests were dispersed by riot police and army. Three women have been arrested but have not been located at the police station by human rights lawyers. WOZA is concerned for their safety as police are hiding them. The three are Eneles Dube, Janet Dube and Selina Dube.

As Bulawayo awoke to heavy police and army presence in the city, WOZA leaders decided to reduce the protest to the bravest of the brave numbering 500 female and male members. Another strategy adopted was to conduct flash protests, (appear and disappear as soon as police arrive). Additionally, headlines from the daily newspapers revealed an unofficial ban of rally and protests.

Higher numbers of riot police were deployed at the previous target of WOZA protests – The Chronicle. However they quickly heard the loud singing and ran up several city blocks to respond. The song that carried a strong message – Kubi kubi siyaya – noma kunjani – besitshaya; besibopha; besidubula, siyaya. Roughly translated “the situation is bad but we will still get where we are going, even if the beats us, arrest us, or shoot to kill us, we will get there”. One police officer ordering one of the protests to disperse said – what rights are you talking about? – you are lying, you want to start a revolution!

After they dispersed the protests, about 40 uniformed and plain clothed police officers picked up every single placard and newsletter, exposing two of their colleagues who had tortured members. One police officer came across a man holding the placard. He asked the man to show him it and asked why he was writing on it. The man said he needs scrap paper to write something down. The officer took it and proceeded to carefully fold this A2 size placard into the smallest piece imaginable and put it in his pocket telling the man, holding such a thing is not allowed.

The protests taking place around International Women’s Day provide an opportunity to demand respect for Women’s rights and for peace in Zimbabwe. The theme adopted as part of the Constitutional reform process is ‘the rising of the women means the rising of the nation – No more poverty and starvation, many sweating for a few to benefit”.

After the dispersal of members, they did not go home but went straight to Tredgold court to await the appearance of their colleagues. Forcing a further deployment of Riot Police and plain clothed detectives to the remand court where the stalemate seemed to endure.

Over the last week, members have been arrested and tortured by police officers in Bulawayo. Seven members on Monday 28th February and 4 on Saturday 5th March 2011. The four currently in custody all have swollen faces and Nomsa Sibanda could not use her hands to hold her baby. At 10am they were due to attend court but for unknown reasons they had still not attended court by mid afternoon. At 4:30pm, the state refused to prosecute and released the four without them appearing in court to be officially charged.

WOZA and MOZA wish to send a stern message to the police force – there is no basis for a state of emergency in Zimbabwe be it official or unofficial. According to the current constitution we have the right to protest and assembly peacefully. If they are wanting to declare a state of emergency they will have to justify it in law but the only people we see disturbing the peace are units of the Zimbabwe Republic Police, namely Riot squad, Police Internal Security Intelligence (PISI) like Mdawini, Law and Order detectives based at Bulawayo Central like George Levison Ngwenya. If they continue to arbitrarily arrest our members we will respond with more protests and expose those who commit torture.

WOZA leaders pay tribute to the courage of members who seeing the police and army all over could so easily have stayed at home but because of the pressure they brought to bear, their colleagues have walked away without charge when earlier in the week, their seven colleagues were being threatened with prison and had to pay for their freedom.

International Women’s Day 2011 Demand Dignity; Demand Development and begin your Affirmative Action for Development on 8 march 2011

A message from the World March of Women International Women’s voices and actions are important to the construction of people power, and on International Women’s Day we commit ourselves to struggle alongside our sisters to ensure their active participation in their country’s transition processes. One year on from the launch of our 3rd International Action, we – feminists and activists of the World March of Women – continue to march, resist and construct alternatives. We renew our commitment to organise collectively until all of us are free from the oppressions and discriminations that we face as women. We are committed to strengthening, consolidating and expanding our permanent movement around the world.

We continue to be challenged by the need to build and strengthen the links between our action areas – Violence against women, Peace and demilitarisation, the common good and public services, Women’s work – in our struggle for autonomy over our lives and bodies. The systematic use of violence against women as a weapon of war in these conflicts; the exploitation of women’s productive and reproductive work and of the environment in order to strengthen patriarchy and racism protect capitalism.

We take direct action to pressurise our governments to reduce military spending, we are saying “enough!” to the militarisation of our communities and societies. When we mobilise outside embassies, our international solidarity is translated into action on behalf of sisters who are imprisoned, tortured, raped and criminalised in other countries. When we are loud, visible and irreverent in the streets, we challenge the patriarchal system within which a woman’s “natural” space is the home and the family.

When we demand equal salaries for equal work and workers rights, we are struggling for fair working conditions for all sisters exploited in the globalised, capitalist system. When we resist false solutions to climate change; we are demonstrating that we not accept the destruction of peoples and of our planet while big business continues to pollute and destroy. When we mobilise we are showing that we refuse to accept the exploitation of the environment and of peoples in countries whose economy is dependant on the exportation of metals and minerals. In a globalised, free-market world, the patriarchal and capitalist systems are borderless, while peoples are controlled within confined spaces, or else forced to flee from their ancestral territories. We will not be silenced by bullets, bombs and aggression! The 8th March is a historic day of women’s struggle and we will once again be out in the streets in protest, in denouncement and in commemoration of victories to come in 2011! Women on the March until we are All Free!

WOZA Statement on International Women’s Day 2011 As WOZA and MOZA members march their hearts are heavy. This last week our members, comrades and friends have been arrested for no clear reason. They were beaten and tortured in custody by police officers and Law and Order officers including Mdawini who is based at West Commonage police station and George Levison Ngwenya from Law and Order Bulawayo. These officers must learn to respect women’s rights, which are human rights. A police officer lifted up the dress of a member to expose her underwear for all other officers to see. We still remember late Maria Moyo who was abducted in August 2007 and tortured at Khami Dam. She died some days later. This Tuesday 1st March, George Levison Ngwenya cruelly showed a member her photograph and threatened to kill her the way late Maria was killed. It is this cruelty and hatred that must be stopped. As we march today, WOZA and MOZA members say, this our day to remind them of our rights and our need for peace and to demand that police and soldiers withdraw from the streets and allow us to live in peace. We call on SA president Jacob Zuma and SADC leaders to help us end the violence.

The RISING of the women means the RISING of the nation. No more poverty and starvation, many sweating for a few to benefit! As we go marching, marching, we struggle for men too – for they are women’s children and we mother them again! You strike a woman and you strike a rock!

Amnesty International are asking people to send a Valentine’s Day rose and message for the Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA)

Roses for WOZA

Buy a rose for the Women of Zimbabwe Arise | Watch video

Share your passion for human rights on Valentine’s Day

Every year on Valentine’s Day, February 14th, women march through the streets of Zimbabwe to hand out roses and demand one simple thing from their government: respect.

Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) is a courageous group of over 35,000 women’s human rights defenders across Zimbabwe. WOZA formed in 2003 to defend human rights amidst political violence in Zimbabwe.  They continue to call on the government to improve living conditions for all Zimbabweans.

Because of their peaceful activism, WOZA members constantly face harassment and abuse by the police. In September 2010, eighty-three WOZA members were detained for participating in a celebration of International Peace Day. Ten of them needed medical help after spending the night in filthy cells without food. In November, Jenni Williams, one of WOZA’s co-founders, was detained by police during a protest. And on December 2, 2010, police in full riot gear disrupted WOZA as they were delivering their report on poverty to the Zimbabwean Parliament.

Just as WOZA hands out roses of peace, we’re asking you to purchase a rose in support of these brave Zimbabwean human rights defenders.

Over the past two years, Amnesty supporters have purchased more than 500 fair trade roses to show their solidarity with WOZA and raised $9,000 dollars sent directly to WOZA. WOZA members have told Amnesty International: “Your efforts send the message that we are not alone and that the world is watching.”

Please join us this year in these two meaningful Valentine’s Day actions:

	Buy a Rose for the women of Zimbabwe Amnesty will deliver fair-trade roses to the Zimbabwean Embassy to call for the protection of WOZA and will use them to raise public awareness about the courageous work that WOZA is doing. Proceeds from every rose purchased will go directly to WOZA to help them organize demonstrations, pay for legal costs, and provide medical care to members.
	Send a message of solidarity to WOZA Learn about WOZA’s activism efforts, including their latest report on poverty and starvation in Zimbabwe, and send them a message of support and solidarity. Jenni Williams of WOZA (right) will be the guest of honour at Amnesty International’s 2011 Annual General Meeting in May. Join us to send her and all members of WOZA a warm welcome from Amnesty Canada!

Amnesty International stands firmly behind the work of WOZA and knows that words of support from people like you contributes to the safety of these courageous women.

With your help, we can send a strong message of solidarity and support to WOZA members.

Thank you,

Alex Neve
Secretary General,
Amnesty International Canadian Section

WOZA - Valentine's protest: 12 February 2011, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe

At 10am, five simultaneous protests began in different locations in downtown Bulawayo. One thousand eight hundred women and men, members of Women and Men of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) turned out for the ninth edition of the Valentines Day protests, the biggest protest since WOZA these protests began in 2003. The target of the peaceful protest, the offices of The Chronicle newspaper with the objective of testing if there is free media or state propaganda remains entrenched. The huge mass of singing protestors completely closed off 9th avenue for over 30 minutes.

The men and women aged from 17 to 93 years old, sang songs as they marched and handed out hundreds of red roses, specially prepared Valentine Cards and the Woza Moya (Come healing wind) Newsletter bearing the top ten point on constitutional reform and on the Inclusive Government. Although different songs were sung by the marching formations, one song was featured at The Chronicle offices – ‘Why are Zimbabweans populating other countries – why is that?’ The chorus answers was mentioning the instances of political violence in which people have died forcing people to flee to other countries for their better survival.

A police vehicle arrived on the scene and three plain clothed officers (in striped dresscode, so easily recognisable) went into the protest demanding cards and newsletters. They then started to make their way to the front of the protest making for leaders Williams and Mahlangu but fortunately it was at that point that the protest dispersal slogan was being shouted and people were turning away to go home. Williams and Mahlangu were swept along with the dispersing masses. All that was left was for the three officers to gather up the placards, cards and red roses left for them.

A police BMW vehicle attempted to disperse another protest just after they began by dangerously driving through the protest. Police Officers of the Riot squad came upon some dispersing members at Jason Moyo Avenue and jumped from their vehicle to try to quicken the dispersing activists. A vehicle full of Riot police was also seen at the bus terminus after the protest monitoring the movement of commuters.

The singing of songs was so well coordinated that several bystanders thought WOZA should form a choir. Another bystander commented ‘please can they say their message well so maybe things can change in Zimbabwe’. Many cars hooted and stopped to get their copies of cards and roses.

WOZA Statement 12 February 2011 – Constitutional Reform and the inclusive Government

Zimbabweans, its time to sweat for a Love that’s the real deal. Demand your rose; Demand a dignified constitution written with love so that it mends our broken hearts. Today we march to the theme: The RISING of the women means the RISING of the nation; No more poverty and starvation, many sweating for a few to benefit!

Valentines Day 2011 sees the passing of the second anniversary of the swearing in ceremony of the Inclusive Government, agreed to on 15 September 2008 by the three principals and witnessed by then SA President, Thabo Mbeki on behalf of the SADC guarantors. We continue to study the agreement between the ZANU PF and the two MDC formations and note the selective implementation and the focus of this is still based on their own interests and not the interest of the population at large.

Despite the promises in many of the articles, we do not see any equality; national healing; increased respect for the constitution and rule of law; we long for the freedom of assembly and association and are still desperate for free political activity. Instead of the promise of security of persons and prevention of violence, we are seeing more militia camps being set up than we saw in 2008 and once again we have hundreds of displaced people.

We were encouraged by the formation of COPAC and the beginning of implementation of the constitutional article points in article 6 (VI) and the setting up of the Select Committee of Parliament (COPAC) despite their slow and painful conducting of public outreach. We are waiting for the draft Constitution to be presented to the 2nd All Stakeholders Conference and referendum but COPAC you are living on borrowed time! If we follow the timeframes set out in the GPA, we should be having the referendum now. Anyway as you are now writing the constitution draft, we expect to see our views respected and included. We wait to see our top ten views featuring, these are:

1. National values, aspirations and founding principles of the constitution – We require a constitution that allows for: value and respect the sanctity of human life, with dignity and respect; for democratically elected leaders at all levels who consult people; separation of powers between the executive, legislature and judiciary complete with checks and balances to prevent corruption and misuse of office and right of recall;
2. The state should allow everyone born in Zimbabwe to be a citizen automatically and the constitution must disallow the arbitrary deprivation of citizenship.
3. We require and expanded Bill of Rights with rights guaranteed and fully protected (justiciable) with clear protection provisions and remedies for violations provided in the courts.
4. Special emphasis on the full enjoyment of the Political Rights free and fair and regular elections; vote in secrecy; right to form political parties and participate in political activities; right to stand for public office and to campaign freely.
5. Right to personal security and fair treatment when in lawful custody; protection from arbitrary displacement from their homes; Protection from public and domestic violence; Right to liberty, and freedom from arbitrary arrest and detention.
6. We demand full enjoyment of all Social, Economic and Cultural rights. Social rights must include, but not be limited to the right to affordable and decent basic living needs-shelter, water, food and health delivery systems. Special emphasis on the full enjoyment of and the right to free compulsory and quality primary education, affordable secondary and tertiary education.
7. We demand full enjoyment of all Women and gender rights. Women have the right to affirmative action to correct past injustices and promote women’s participation and gender in all spheres of life.
8. We demand democratic Systems of government: Devolution of power, that allow for local controls over all resources and local councils. There must be sharing of power at provincial and local levels.
9. We demand a constitution that limits executive power, which has long been abused. The Arms of state points should include an Executive President who is elected directly by all voters in the first past the post system, 2 terms of office of no more than 5years, age limit should be between 40-65year. Such a President must not be above the law-no special privileges and be able to be prosecuted, sued and recalled.
10. We require a Public finance system that includes public hearings to determine priorities and the presentation of local, provincial and national budgets for public approval. Government must be transparent and accountable and present a gendered analysis of any budget presented to parliament.

The principals said they were signing the agreement to form the Inclusive Government in the name of the ’suffering masses of Zimbabwe’ but in reality, the IG was imposed on us by SADC. Our suffering continues and violence is increasing. It is clear from the timeframes of the constitution reform process that Zimbabwe should now be having a referendum, which would be followed by an election. As we analyse the current situation, we realize that the Inclusive government is living on borrowed time. Time borrowed from COPAC delays and the people’s good nature. Politicians are now taking advantage of our good nature and our patience is wearing thin. We demand the dismantling of militia bases and prosecution of all perpetrators of violence; that government leaders begin to put Zimbabwe first and give us a genuine chance of rebuilding and reconstructing our livelihoods. We demand the right to trade needed to end poverty and starvation; We also demand the lifting of sanctions on the people’s peaceful existence imposed by a politicized police force and their handlers in Zanu PF. We demand a real deal – a real love that can mend our broken hearts!

At noon today, approximately 900 members of Women and Men of Zimbabwe Arise marked International Women Human Rights Defenders Day with a peaceful procession to the offices of the state-owned Chronicle newspaper in Bulawayo. No arrests have been reported as yet but as there is a visible police presence in central Bulawayo, this may change.

Jenni Williams, WOZA’s National Coordinator was briefly detained by a senior-ranking police officer during the march but was later released after a discussion about its legality. Williams insisted that Zimbabweans have the right to peaceful protest under the current constitution. Williams was also roughly jostled by the female officer during this exchange, resulting in the aggravation of an existing back condition that Williams has.

The aim of the peaceful procession was to launch WOZA’s consulted position on the COPAC constitution questions. The report is entitled ‘the rising of women means the rising of the nation – no more poverty and starvation, many sweating for a few to benefit’. A copy of the report is available below.

Five groups started from different locations in the city centre and converged on the offices of the Chronicle. The peaceful group sang as they marched and handed out copies of their views on the constitutional questions. Their songs included the lyrics, “there is an issue that we want to make public – our views on the constitution” and “as women we must rise up and stand firm for our views so that our country can improve”.

WOZA began a 15-month civic education process around the constitution in July 2009 involving the participation of 9,036 members (7,885 females and 1,151 males) in a phased training programme that culminated in a consultation around the COPAC questions, the responses to which have been included in the report. Participants were drawn from 37 urban areas in Bulawayo and Harare and 23 rural areas in Matabeleland and Mashonaland. The age range of these participants was 14 to 93 years.

The report has been formally submitted to COPAC. The procession today is the first in a series of peaceful marches designed to ensure the views of members are heard, respected and will be included in the draft constitution. Members selected The Chronicle offices as a target in their fight to pressure for free media and to express solidarity with the arrest and extended detention of Nqobani Ndlovu, a Bulawayo-based journalist.

29 November is a significant date for WOZA. It is International Women Human Rights Defenders Day and part of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence. Furthermore, on 29 November 2006, hundreds of members were brutally beaten in Bulawayo and many arrested whilst peacefully launching the WOZA People’s Charter.

Whilst recognising the importance of the 16 Days of Activism, WOZA would like to insist that 365 days of the year be considered days of activism against gender violence. At no time, is violence against any individual acceptable.

This protest follows a victory for WOZA in the Supreme Court last week.  On Friday 26th, Justice Garwe, the Supreme Court judge of appeals, handed down a ruling on the 2008 challenge taken by WOZA leaders, Jenni Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu. The verbal ruling granted that the two women had been wrongfully arrested and detained and, as a result, had their rights and fundamental freedoms violated. Justice Garwe also ruled that the state had failed to protect the activists from this abuse. The application for a repealing of section 37 (1) (a) (i) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act was dismissed and the reason will be made available. More details are available below.

To read a full copy of the report submitted to COPAC, please click here: WOZA presentation to COPAC 29.11.10

News update from WOZA – 1.30pm – Wednesday 22nd

83 members released on free bail – Jenni Williams arrested outside Harare Magistrate’s Court

Update: Jennie Williams was eventually released without charges, after being detained for over two hours

The 83 members arrested on Monday for a peaceful protest about community safety appeared in Harare Magistrate’s Court this morning charged under the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, Chapter 46, as read with Section 2(v) of the Third Schedule to the Criminal Code – ‘criminal nuisance’. It transpires that police decided to go with these charges instead of obstructing traffic. They were granted free bail and remanded out of custody to 6 October.

The state had tried to get bail set at US $ 50 each and for each of the 83 to report to Harare Central Police Station every Friday but the magistrate refused these conditions, saying that they were too severe for the nature of the charges.

Having been dismissed from court, WOZA leaders were speaking to the group across the road from court, trying to ascertain which of the recently released members needed medical attention when police officers insisted that Jenni Williams, WOZA’s National Coordinator, accompany them to the police post inside Harare Magistrate’s Court for addressing the group. They accused her of ‘addressing a gathering’ and tried to get her to sign a caution admitting that she had addressed a gathering at court. When she attempted to explain that she was merely attempting to provide assistance to those that had been recently released, police insisted that she be taken to Law and Order at Harare Central. She is currently being held at Harare Magistrate’s Court until police can provide transport to Harare Central.

WOZA condemns this harassment of its members by police.

Groups in Bulawayo marked International Peace Day on Tuesday (yesterday) with a peaceful march starting at the Bulawayo City Hall. The march went ahead peacefully after police clearance was granted.  Zimrights, Habbakuk Trust and the Zimbabwe Victims of Organised Violence (ZIVOV) were among those that marched.

SW Radio Africa correspondent Lionel Saungweme said a group of about 50 people heard victims of the organised violence in 2002 recount their ordeals. Those who spoke included Themba Ndlovu, who was ambushed by ZANU PF thugs at his home and badly beaten, and Sidumiso Moyo, whose house was burnt by ZANU PF thugs.

Saungweme said a former Green Bomber also spoke at the event. “He said he wanted to thank God, because God had changed his heart. He said at the training he got at the national military camps (run by ZANU PF) he was taught to hate and he prided himself in violence,” Saungweme said.

Saungweme added that the National Healing Organ was invited to the march but did not attend, saying they were too busy with their work elsewhere.

At noon today, 600 members of Women and Men of Zimbabwe marched to Parliament in Harare to mark International Peace Day. 25 members were arrested at Parliament (most of them handing themselves in) and taken to Harare Central Police Station. 59 more handed themselves in in solidarity with their arrested comrades after marching from Parliament to Harare Central. The total arrested is believed to be 84.

The aim of the peaceful protest was to highlight community safety issues and police behavior in communities. When the peaceful group arrived at Parliament, they handed over a list of demands for members of the Zimbabwe Republic Police, the Police Commissioner and the co-Ministers of Home Affairs to police officers stationed outside Parliament. The full list of demands can also be found below.

Two members addressed the peaceful group outside Parliament explaining that tomorrow (21st September) is International Peace Day and using the example of the violence at COPAC consultations over the weekend to illustrate how Zimbabweans have little experience of peace. They called on the Zimbabwe Republic Police to allow Zimbabweans to be able to give their views of what they want in a new Constitution without violence and called on police to arrest those that threatened others or used violence.

Bystanders were overheard supporting the protestors – commenting on the violence shown by police officers in recent weeks and how police officers should be ashamed of themselves for not being the ones to keep the peace.

WOZA members have been worried about the performance and professionalism of our police officers for some time. As a result, WOZA has observed their behavior in select communities in Bulawayo and Harare for four months.

WOZA members observed police officers beating suspects in public; harassing vendors and taking their goods for their own use, without any receipting; demanding and accepting bribes, both in public and at police stations; drinking in uniform in public, sometimes stopping to drink while escorting suspects who will be under arrest and making people under arrest ‘run’ in front of their motor bikes and/or horses to the police station. In Bulawayo, many police officers refuse to respond to citizens’ complaints if they speak in the Ndebele language, insisting they speak in Shona.

75% of people whose rights were violated during arrest reported damages, injuries and or loss of property. These incidents are common when one is arrested by the plain-clothed and municipal police.

A more detailed account of our findings can be found in the Woza Moya newsletter below. The investigations done during the four months is just a small part of what is happening and are a reflection of a poor relationship between police and the community. It is clear that police officers routinely violate human rights and do not follow proper protocols of arrest and detention. In this regard, they are not following the Zimbabwe Police Act, the ZRP Service Charter and ZRP Service Standards as well as regional and international standards and instruments.

For the full list of demands and more information on WOZA’s observations of police behaviour in Harare and Bulawayo over the last four months, click here: Woza Moya Sep-10

For more information on the ZRP Service Charter, Service Standards or the SARPCCO Harare Protocol Code of Conduct, click on the following links: ZRP Service Charter, ZRP Service Standards, SARPCCO Hre Protocol-Code of Conduct

Via WOZA Website

Taking photographs can be a high-risk occupation in Zimbabwe for journalists [and sometimes for other people, including tourists]. Last month a freelance photojournalist was arrested outside Harare magistrates court for taking photographs of arriving prisoners without the permission of the Commissioner of Prisons, and, although this is not against the law, he was detained, questioned by the police and charged with disorderly conduct. This raises the question: “In what circumstances can journalists and other people take photographs in Zimbabwe?”

The Legal Position

The general rule is that everyone is free to take photographs of anything and anyone they like, except where the law specifically forbids photographs to be taken. This is one aspect of freedom of expression, which is protected by the Constitution and which includes freedom to receive and impart ideas and information. This freedom as spelt out in the Declaration of Rights [section 20] can only be limited in certain circumstances, by a law passed in order to protect:

• the interests of defence, public safety, public order, the economic interests of the State, public morality or public health; or
• the reputations, rights and freedoms of other people, or the private lives of people concerned in legal proceedings; or
• the authority and independence of courts or tribunals or Parliament.

And any such law must be “reasonably justifiable in a democratic society”. There are several laws that prohibit or restrict the taking of photographs in Zimbabwe. By listing them here we are not implying that they comply with section 20 of the Constitution – even some of the following provisions could be open to a constitutional challenge.

Laws Prohibiting or Restricting Taking Photographs

Defence Act: Under section 94 of the Defence Act, the Minister of Defence has the power to declare any area to be a protected area and to give directions banning the taking of photographs within the area [but not of the area from outside it]. Although section 94 is couched in extremely wide terms, it probably covers only defence installations. Taking photographs in contravention of section 94 attracts a fine of US $200 or six months’ imprisonment or both. Various areas were declared to be protected before Independence, but none have been since. The pre-Independence declarations have never been repealed.

Electoral Regulations: Under section 25 of the Electoral Regulations, 2005, it is a criminal offence to take a photograph of anyone inside a polling booth, or to take a photograph within a polling-station without permission from the officer in charge of the station. Anyone who contravenes the section is liable to a fine of US $700 or a year’s imprisonment or both. There is nothing wrong, however, with taking photographs of the outside of polling stations.

Official Secrets Act: Under section 3 of the Official Secrets Act anyone who takes a photograph which is calculated or intended to be, or which might be, useful to an enemy of Zimbabwe is guilty of espionage and liable to imprisonment for up to 25 years, if he or she takes the photograph for a purpose prejudicial to Zimbabwe’s safety or interests. Section 3 of the Act is couched in very broad terms and could afford a pretext for the arrest of anyone who tried to photograph defence installations and other places believed to be of strategic importance.

Prisons (General) Regulations: Under section 168 of the Prisons (General) Regulations, 1996, it is an offence to take photographs inside a prison unless the Commissioner of Prisons consents. A contravention of the section attracts a year’s imprisonment. Taking photographs of the outside of a prison, on the other hand, seems to be perfectly all right — unless the photographer loiters when taking it, in which event he or she may be arrested and charged with loitering within 100 metres of a prison and failing to move on when requested to do so, in contravention of section 85 of the Prisons Act. If found guilty of that crime, the photographer is liable to a fine of US $100 or three months’ imprisonment or both.

Protected Places and Areas Act: If premises are declared to be a protected place, the declaration usually includes prohibitions or restrictions on taking photographs on the premises [section 4(5) of the Act]. Anyone who takes a photograph in contravention of such a provision risks a fine of US $400 or two years’ imprisonment or both. Similarly, if an area is declared to be a protected area the taking of photographs within the area is usually prohibited [section 5 of the Act], and anyone doing so is liable to the same penalty. Note that the Act does not make it an offence to take photographs of a protected place or area, merely within the place or area. The following places and areas are listed in the Index to Legislation as being protected under the Act: the Aurex Factory, Goromonzi; the Beitbridge border-post; the “Chimanimani Restricted/Reserved Area” [presumably the Marange diamond fields]; the Zimbabwe Defence Industries factories in Domboshawa; Fidelity Printers and Refinery in Harare; an underground fuel depot in Mabvuku; a fuel depot in Masasa; the National Heroes Acre; the Presidential retirement home in Borrowdale, Harare; the environs of State House, Harare; and the Wilton Pipe Station.

Other Situations Where Photography is Restricted

Parliament: Taking photographs of the proceedings of the Senate or the House of Assembly is considered to be contempt of Parliament unless permission has been obtained from the President of the Senate or the Speaker. Although not stated specifically in the Privileges, Immunities and Powers of Parliament Act or in Parliamentary Standing Orders, it is established practice of both Houses to prohibit visitors from filming or taking photographs of their proceedings. The prohibition does not extend to taking photographs outside the Parliament building.

Court proceedings: Similarly, filming or taking photographs of court proceedings without permission from the presiding judge or magistrate amounts to contempt of court and is punishable as such. So far as is known, no court in Zimbabwe has ever given permission for criminal or civil proceedings to be filmed or photographed [apart from the ceremonial opening of High Court sessions] and no court is likely to give such permission in future. Again, there is no prohibition against photographing the outside of court buildings.

Parties to criminal and civil proceedings: If a court has prohibited disclosure of the identity of a party or witness to criminal or civil proceedings, then it would be unlawful, and punishable as contempt of court, for a journalist to photograph the party or witness entering or coming from the court in connection with the proceedings.

In All Other Situations

In all other cases journalists and other people can generally take photographs of what and of whom they choose. It is not necessary to get the consent of a person before taking his or her photograph; if the person objects to having the photograph published, he or she can take civil proceedings to prevent publication but cannot normally invoke the assistance of the police to prevent the photograph being taken. The police can become involved only if taking the photograph:

• seriously impairs the dignity of the person concerned or seriously invades his or her privacy, in which event it will amount to criminal insult, which is punishable by a fine of US $300 or a year’s imprisonment or both; or
• amounts to intentionally engaging in disorderly or riotous conduct in a public place, in which case it will amount to disorderly conduct in a public place, a crime punishable by a fine of US $200 or six months’ imprisonment or both.

In some other cases people can be prevented from taking photographs and the police may be called on for assistance. For example, if a person enters private land or premises in order to take a photograph, he or she can be told to leave and, if he or she does not do so, will be guilty of criminal trespass and liable to a fine of US $200 or six months’ imprisonment or both [section 132 of the Criminal Law Code]. The police may be called upon to eject the person from the premises. But in such a case the essence of the crime would be failing to leave the premises rather than taking photographs. Much the same applies if a person takes photographs of a meeting such as a company meeting without permission from the person presiding: he or she may be asked to leave and may be ejected if he or she refuses.

Legitimate Law Enforcement or Police Harassment of a Photo Journalist

To return to the story of the freelance photojournalist. On March 1st he was apprehended and detained by prison officials at the Harare magistrates court for taking photographs of prisoners without the permission of the Commissioner of Prisons. He was later handed to the police who detained and questioned him. There is no law in Zimbabwe that prohibits filming outside courthouses, nor one that requires journalists to seek permission from the Commissioner of Prisons before performing their duties, so the police could not charge him for taking photographs. They eventually charged him with disorderly conduct and he paid the fine rather than spending the night in the cells, but his lawyer is contesting that charge as spurious. [Note: the prisoners he photographed were a group of alleged coup plotters being brought to court to face charges of attempting to escape from Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison and the photojournalist was pursuing his legitimate professional job covering a case of public interest.]

On January 18 this year, the same photojournalist, Andrisson Manyere, was arrested and detained by the police for two hours for filming a public protest march in Harare by members of Women of Zimbabwe Arise [WOZA]. He was released without charge. The following month a group of ZANU-PF youths unlawfully apprehended and detained him for filming the youths’ public protest against sanctions on the ZANU-PF leadership. The youths handed Manyere over to State security agents who, unlawfully, forced him to delete all footage in his camera before they released him.

Previously, State security agents seized Manyere at his home in Norton on December 13, 2008. Without search warrants or any legal justification, they raided his house and confiscated his work equipment, including a camera and two laptops, which have never been returned to him. While in police custody, Manyere was threatened with death and accused of taking and sending images of victims of human rights abuses to international media. Manyere was charged with banditry, sabotage and terrorism, together with other abductees [see previous Peace Watches] and kept in Chikurubi maximum security prison for months, and was only finally released on bail on 13th May, 2009. His case is pending before the courts. His lawyer has said he was tortured and that during his incarceration his rights to legal representation, a fair trial, and security of person were violated; he has brought a civil case claiming damages against the State but a court date has not been set.

Meantime he is trying to earn a living following his profession and is having to replace the equipment which has not been returned to him. His constantly being arrested is making this difficult and is also causing a lot of suffering to himself, his wife and children, who each time he is arrested fear the worst.

Conclusion

Any limitation on peoples’ constitutional rights and freedoms must be in accordance with the law. A person should not be stopped from taking a photograph unless there is a given law that prohibits him or her from doing so. And the law must comply with section 20 of the Constitution. The police’s duty is to uphold the law, not to act outside the parameters of the law.

WOZA arrive at ZESA headquarters yesterday to petition over the poor delivery of power in Zimbabwe, but are later arrested. Full story blogged here.

Update: 20 April 2010

The four WOZA members arrested on Thursday outside ZESA headquarters, Jenni Williams, Magodonga Mahlangu, Clara Manjengwa and Celina Madukani, have finally been released from police custody after spending five nights in cells. The Attorney General’s office refused to press charges against the four women due to lack of sufficient evidence. The women did not appear in court as defence lawyer, Harrison Nkomo, spoke directly with the Attorney General’s office. Officers from the Law and Order Department at Harare Central had tried to force the women to pay ‘admission of guilt’ fines on Saturday to ‘buy’ their freedom. WOZA will now being suing the Zimbabwe Republic Police for wrongful arrest and detention. – More on Woza website.

[press release via WOZA ]

The four WOZA women arrested at the ZESA headquarters in Harare yesterday remain in police custody. They have still not been formally charged. Their lawyer, Harrison Nkomo of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, was granted access to them this afternoon. They are in good spirits despite the appalling conditions in Harare Central Police Station. Law and Order officers will decide tomorrow morning what charges they will prefer against the four activists. Due to the public holiday on Monday, if the women are not taken to court tomorrow morning they will remain in custody until Tuesday at the very least.

It has also emerged that a 23-year-old MOZA member, Timothy Katyora, was beaten in Harare Central Police Station yesterday by six uniformed officers. The young man was with a group of activists who presented themselves at the Charge Office attempting to hand themselves in in solidarity with their arrested comrades. Timothy was hauled away from the rest of the group into the guard room and beaten over the head by six officers, who were questioning him constantly about what he was doing there. After being beaten for several minutes, he was chased out of the police station. Timothy received medical treatment for bruising and headaches this morning.

The arrest and continued detention of the four women for exercising their constitutional right to demand a fair service for the electricity that they pay for makes a mockery of the Independence celebrations that no doubt will be taking place across Zimbabwe this weekend. 30 years later, the majority of ordinary Zimbabweans still do not enjoy the fruits of freedom. The promises of the liberation war have not been delivered to Zimbabweans who struggle to survive every day, wondering how they will feed their children tomorrow. Human rights and dignity denied to women, men and children who wish that the great achievement of 30 years of independence from colonial rule was something that could be celebrated. There is very little to celebrate in the cold, dark cells of Harare Central Police Station.

Please continue to call Harare Central Police Station on (+263 4) 777777 or (+263 4) 736931 or (+263 4) 725803 or (+263 4) 733033 or (+263 4) 721212 to demand that the WOZA activists be taken to court tomorrow and that they not be mistreated in custody.

Update 18.00:

61 of the 65 Woza activists have now been released, the four who remain in custody are Jenni Williams, Magodonga Mahlangu, Selina Madukane and Clara Manjengwa.  They are being charged with Participating in an Illegal Gathering under Section 37.1c of the Criminal Codification and Reform Act.  They are hoping that the four will go to court tomorrow morning, but it seems unlikely and that the four will have to spend the weekend in the cells.

Update 16.17:

This morning the women and men of WOZA and MOZA congregated and marched on Megawatt House in Harare to present their complaints over the poor delivery of power in Zimbabwe.

At the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority headquarters they were asked to wait outside until a senior member of Zesa staff would come and address them.  It appears that this was a delaying tactic to allow time for the police to come.

Once the police arrived, they were reticent to arrest the activists, however the Zesa security insisted the “ring leaders” be taken into custody.

Initially Jenny Williamns and Magodonga Mahlangu were the only ones detained and placed into the awaiting police vehicles. When the other members realised their leadership had been taken they immediately climbed into the police vans.

Once the detained activists arrived at Harare Central Police Station, even more of the Woza members forced their arrests in solidarity with their fellow activists.

They are yet to be charged, and the lawyers are currently working on the case.

Please phone Harare police station and voice your concern on Harare +263 4 777777

Original post: Approximately five hundred WOZA members embarked on a peaceful action to deliver yellow cards to ZESA in Harare today. This follows their march in Bulawayo on the 12th, blogged here. We’ve just been advised that at least thirty of the members have been arrested, including Jennie Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu. They are being held at Harare Central police station. This is all the information we have on today’s arrests at this moment.

Two members of WOZA, Million and Mavis Sibanda, were arrested yesterday in Bulawayo when WOZA attended a public hearing on ZESA:

As the delegation were due to answer questions, two members, Million and Mavis Sibanda, took the opportunity to go to the toilets, which are in the reception foyer. As soon as they entered the foyer, they were grabbed by two plain clothed police officers who searched their bags. The police officers then insisted the two members accompany them to Central Police Station.

[...]

At the police station, Million and Mavis were being interrogated as to their objective in the meeting and a bunch of ‘yellow cards’ found on Million were confiscated. They were mwade to narrate their life history which was noted down on a profile form. Some other police officers then apparently came to their rescue asking why they had been arrested. Upon hearing the explanation, they said they are also suffering from high electricity bills and long cuts and that WOZA should be allowed to protest on this issue. They then insisted the two WOZA members should be released. Upon confirmation of their release, the rest of the WOZA members went back into the meeting.

Read the full details on the WOZA website.