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Post International Women's Day Protests Harare and Bulawayo
Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA)
March 08, 2005

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"Endai Muno Vhota - Hapana Bonde". Go and Vote but NO to sex'

In Harare today, Five hundred WOZA women march peacefully chanting "Endai Muno Vhota - Hapana Bonde". Go and Vote but no to sex' loosely translated from Shona. The women were part of peaceful protest lobbying women to vote to free their 'sisters' from suffering. They distributed the WOZA newsletter - WOZA MOYA and carried placards and banners. None of the women were arrested or intimidated by police.

In Bulawayo, a similar march with the same message was planned with approximately the same number of participants. However police were present throughout town especially in the spots WOZA normally march to. Police patrols came upon women carrying placards at the starting point and immediately arrested them and further women were picked up as they arrived at the venue some 30 minutes before the starting time.

Three Police Defenders were observed with women inside and information to hand indicates that 15 women were arrested and taken to Ross Camp, Bulawayo Headquarters and 9 others were taken to Mzilikazi but these were released within a short period. Those held at Ross camp were searched but were released early evening after illegal searches in their homes. The women said Police searched their homes to look for WOZA material. Police officers indicated that they were not interested in Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) material. The MDC is an opposition party and police said MDC are allowed to campaign freely. WOZA material found in their homes was to be confiscated.

One of the women, Sinini Mhlanga, said her bedroom was searched by male police officers. She and the others, who included 2 grandmothers the same age as Robert Mugabe, over 80 were interrogated and intimidated by plain-clothes officers. They were placed in a police cell but were finally released because they failed to find a charge. Sinini and the others were sitting outside a church on the pavement.

The 8 March is International Women's Day and WOZA sought to observe it for the third year running but it is apparent the Mugabe regime fears peaceful women speaking the truth. This is the third year running WOZA women of Bulawayo have faced arrest on this their special day. On Valentines Day this year 53 women were arrested with some spending 3 days in custody before being released on admission of guilt fines. Information reaching WOZA early on 8 March via children of WOZA women in the police force was that the Police were on high alert to catch WOZA women at it. Apparently after the successful Valentines Day procession went ahead for 45 minutes without an arrest, Riot Police officers whose vehicle was under repair were given a 3-hour punishment. The same Riot Police had also failed to arrest the WOZA women when they demonstrated at the Government offices in January calling for the Minister of Education to resign. Evidence of this 'High Alert' was seen on the streets of Bulawayo from as early as 9 am. The testimony of Sinini Mhlanga indicates that a Police defender stopped at the sight of a woman holding a banner! What a state of high alert for peaceful mothers, sisters, and grandmothers telling the nation to go out and vote but to abstain from sex during this crucial time.

The WOZA theme for the day was: Women will vote to free their sisters from suffering, whilst the UN theme for International Women's Day this year is "Gender Equality Beyond 2005: Building a More Secure Future

Visit the WOZA fact sheet

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