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WOZA report police plan to detain leaders till after elections
Tererai Karimakwenda, SW Radio Africa
March 07, 2008

http://www.swradioafrica.com/news070308/woza070308.htm

The Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) report that they are concerned about their security after they received information that suggests the police may attempt to arrest WOZA leaders and detain them until after the elections. Coordinator Jenni Williams said reliable sources informed them that all uniformed police were recently briefed on the activities of WOZA, and it was resolved that the key leaders should be arrested at the next possible opportunity.

Williams said they have noticed increased surveillance on their officials and members. They believe they are being closely monitored and are concerned about their security.

Williams explained that WOZA has the capacity to mobilize protests and government does not want them around in case some politicians are planning a "Kenya style" reaction after the elections. The idea is to keep WOZA leaders out of the way until after the polls.

Williams said WOZA previously received conflicting information that suggests the police have been instructed not to arrest or beat WOZA members until further notice. This seemed likely because there has been a reduction in the number of WOZA arrests since October last year. The outspoken activist said they are not sure what the state is planning.

Williams referred to their 5-year record of conducting peaceful demonstrations to explain why they should not be considered a threat. She said anyone that wants to get them out of the way for the elections must be planning to provoke violence or to do something at the polls that would warrant a violent reaction from the people. "We can only be considered a threat by someone who wants to cling onto power", said the defiant Williams.

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