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News update on WOZA arrests
Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA)
October 26, 2006

October 27 - 11:00am
The four women arrested at Wednesday's peaceful protest against housing eviction appear at Western Commonage Magistrates Court after 48 hours in police custody. Magistrate, Ms Guta, granted the women $500 bail each. The women will appear again on remand 10 November. Charges against one, Maria Moyo, were dropped after officers from Law and Order failed to substantiate charges that she was part of the protest as police officers had arrested at her house in Mabutweni on Wednesday evening.

The women are being charged under Chapter 46 Section 2 (v) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act -"employing any means whatsoever which are likely materially to interfere with the ordinary comfort, convinience, peace or quiet of the public or any section of the public, or does any act which is likely to create a nuisance or obstruction." If found guilty, the women could be fined or imprisoned for a period not exceeding six months or both.

Simba Chivaura, a member of the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights defended the women and complained about the inhuman treatment the women had undergone in being made to remove underwear. Mr Kumudyariwa represented the State.

October 26 - 3:30pm
The five members arrested at yesterday's peaceful protest against housing eviction are still detained at the Bulawayo Central Police Station but are expected to be brought to court Friday. They can be detained for up to 48 hours under the Public Order Security Act (POSA).

They have been formally charged under chapter 46 Section 2 (v) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act -"Employing any means whatsoever which are likely materially to interfere with the ordinary comfort, convinience, peace or quiet of the public or any section of the public, or does any act which is likely to create a nuisance or obstruction.

Persons found guilty of violating this Act are liable to a fine or imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months or both.

The women are Thalitha Mtendesi, Senie Dube, Samkeliso Sibanda, Faina Maphosa and Maria Moyo. When WOZA took lunch to them (Government has no money for food for those in police custody so allow food to be brought in), they were in the offices of the Law and Order officials at Bulawayo Central.

The women spent the nigh at Mzilikazi and Sauerstown police stations but reported that at those stations the police officers insisted they remove their underwear in violation of their basic rights and dignity. Normal regulation in police cells are that you are allowed one article of clothing on the top and one bottom of your body and can retain underwear except a bra which could be used to hang oneself.

October 25 - 3.30pm
The five members arrested this morning have since been moved from Mpopoma Traffic Police Station to Bulawayo Central Police Station.

In a separate incident, officers from the Law and Order Department of Bulawayo Central bashed their way into one of the leader's houses in Mabutweni where they conducted an illegal search and confiscated three WOZA scarves.

News coming from inside the cells indicates that the women are being severely harassed by Law and Order officers. Meanwhile WOZA is finding it a challenge to get a lawyer to represent the women as all lawyers are said to be in court.

People wishing to query why the police are harassing the women can call the Bulawayo Central Police station on +263 (0)9 72515, 61706, 63061, 69860. Ask for the Law and Order Department.

Visit the WOZA fact sheet

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