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Operation Murambatsvina on trial Monday 11 July 2005
Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA)
July 07, 2005

Twenty nine members of Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA), a civic movement for women to speak out on burning issues go to trial on 11 July 2005 in the Bulawayo Provincial Magistrates Court 4. Most of the women are victims of Operation Murambatsvina, having lost goods as vendors and their homes in the demolitions. The women conducted a peaceful protest on 18 June 2005 calling for a halt to the Operation.

WOZA have been on a fundraising campaign to secure funding for legal representation and wish to advise that legal counsel has been secured although with only a few days to go. Advocate Perpetua Dube has been retained to represent the women who are charged with contravening the Miscellaneous Offences Action Section 3 (2) (g) Chapter 9:15, "Encumbers or obstructs the free passage along any street, road, thoroughfare, sidewalk or pavement." They could face a fine and or 3 month imprisonment.

The women gathered in Bulawayo today and reaffirmed their commitment to civil disobedience and peaceful activism. They recognised that observing their God given right to speak out and assemble cannot be criminalised. As they attend court on Monday, it will not be they on trial but Operation Murambatsvina that will be brought under inspection. WOZA therefore call upon Zimbabweans to attend the court in solidarity and witness ‘Operation Murambatsvina’ being accorded the right to defend itself.

WOZA attended the meeting with the United Nations Special Envoy in Bulawayo today. A report will be submitted to the delegation. In the appeal for assistance the report highlights that Zimbabweans are not expendable and that the time has come for accountability for the political leadership. Mugabe has been operating with such impunity, and he expects voluntary organizations and the international community to clean up after him. Why did the Government not consult and put in place disaster management structures before launching the operation? If they continue to implement the ‘clean up’ in this way it points to retribution rather than restore order.

Comments from the State outline: The State versus Jennifer Louise Williams and 28 others
Jennifer Louise Williams (43) Siphiwe Maseko (34) Magodonga Mahlangu (32) Shingirai Mupani (65) Milia Moyo (71) Thandile Sesedza (44) Beauty Gwetshwayo (62) Khetiwe Ncube (42) Rudo Mtethwa (42) Saziwe Zitha (37) Karen Mugomo (21) Esther Ngulube (68) Siphethangani Ndlovu (31) Sennie Dube (60) Rejoice Chauke (35) Donanary Tembo (35) Thalitha Tendesa (64) Edna Ncube (60) Varaidzo Mawire (30) Sinini Mhlanga (34) Zuzile Ngwenya (35) Duduzile Moyo (36) Zanele Sibanda (21) Perpetua Dube (38) Maria Moyo (45) Ivy Ngwenya (42) Thoko Dube (33) Fagress Sibanda (40)

The women were carrying placards which had the following inscriptions on them:

The liberation guns have been turned against us. Are we the trash? We are refuges in our own motherland. We are refugees in the country of our great grandmothers. A bird is better - it at least has a nest. Makokoba our pride is gone. Our Ancestors are turning in graves. Phansi lo Murambatsvina. ‘Our orphans are dying of cold’. Wena Sithembiso (Hey You Sithembiso) – what are you now saying about our projects.

The women also had some cloth banners inscribed WOZA Defending Women’s Rights Sokwanele, enough is enough, Zvakwana.

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