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Over 165 WOZA members arrested in Bulawayo
Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA)
August 21, 2006

Police pounce on WOZA members, Cnr Main Street & Leopold Takawira Street in Bulawayo. © WOZA

OVER ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY FIVE members of Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) - women, men and more than four babies - have been arrested in Bulawayo. They were marching peacefully to Reserve Bank, but were arrested by riot police metres from their target. The spectacle of the large group, sitting peaceably awaiting arrest, provided a great diversion for those queuing outside the RBZ waiting to get rid of the last of their old bearers cheques.

The peaceful protest started at 11am at the Post Office in Main Street. As the procession turned into Leopold Takawira St, to go to the Reserve Bank, police appeared and stopped the procession. A vehicle with riot police stationed at the Reserve Bank then drove and began the process of arresting. 11 loads carrying approximately 15 members in each vehicle, took those arrested to Bulawayo Central.

Lawyers are on site but the police are refusing to allow them to see their clients until the Police Internal Security Intelligence (PISI) have processed them and handed them over to Law and Order Department.  

The procession intended to hand over an open letter to Gideon Gono, and in case they were arrested along the way, were distributing copies as they walked. Bystanders came forward to take copies and were shouting encouragement to the women.

As they marched, the group sang a song by Lovemore Majaivana saying that this country has no money - 'lelilizwe alilamali'.

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