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19 members arrested in Masvingo - playing netball - alert and updates
Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA)
August 07, 2007

19 members of Women and Men of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA/MOZA) were arrested in Masvingo this afternoon whilst playing netball. They are currently being held in Masvingo Central Police Station.

Whilst the group was engaged in their game at Macheke Stadium this afternoon, two members of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) approached them and questioned one of the members. They then took him away. Shortly afterwards they came back and arrested the rest of the group. It is not clear for what reason.

Whilst over 300 members demonstrated in Mutare yesterday without incident, there have been no recent protests in Masvingo.

Lawyers have been informed and more information will be given as it becomes available.

Please call Masvingo Central Police Station on +263 39 62221 to demand the immediate release of the 19 and that police stop the harassment of human rights defenders.

News update
Wednesday 8th August - 11am

16 members spend night in custody in Masvingo It has been confirmed that seven women and nine men spent the night in police custody in Masvingo last night after being arrested yesterday whilst playing mixed soccer and netball at Macheke Stadium. Also in custody is the soccer ball, although the netball evaded arrest.

It is still not clear why the group was arrested or what charges, if any, will be brought against them. The lawyer is in attendance and is currently trying to meet with police to obtain this information.

More news will be sent as soon as it becomes available.

Please continue to ring Masvingo Central Police Station on +263 39 62221 to demand their immediate release, without charge, and that police stop the harassment of human rights defenders in Zimbabwe.

News update
Wednesday 8th August - 3pm

16 members arrested in Masvingo likely to spend another night in custody The 16 WOZA members arrested yesterday whilst playing sports will probably spend another night in custody tonight, as they have still not been charged. It is hoped that they will be released tomorrow morning.

It is still not clear why they were arrested in the first place although it is obvious that it is part of the ongoing campaign of police harassment of human rights defenders in the country.

Police attempted to force the group to pay admission of guilt fines this morning - although they have committed no crime!

It is bitterly cold in Masvingo at present and as the group was playing sports at the time, many are not wearing warm clothing. Police have not allowed extra clothing to be brought in to those in custody. Their lawyer has been allowed to see his clients however and they report no other forms of ill treatment.

Please keep calling Masvingo Central Police Station on +263 39 62221 to protest the continued detention of these innocent citizens.

News Update
Thursday 9th August - 10.30am

Masvingo 16 remain in custody - have been beaten The 16 members arrested in Masvingo on Tuesday remain in custody at Masvingo Central Police Station. They still have not been charged. There is deep concern for their well being as members taking food to them last night reported that police had beaten them, one by one, yesterday afternoon. The extent of their injuries is not clear.

Police are apparently still trying to force them to pay admission of guilt fines although they have committed no crime and have not been charged with anything.

Lawyers are now considering filing an urgent high court application for their immediate release as police are apparently refusing to take them to court today and the 48-hours that they are allowed to be held will soon be up.

Please keep calling Masvingo Central Police Station on
+263 39 62221 to demand the immediate release of the group and that police stop beating innocent citizens.

News update
Thursday 9th August - 7pm

The 16 members, six women and nine men, arrested on Tuesday afternoon for playing netball and football were all finally released this afternoon. Police harassment of WOZA continued however as two other members, Winnie Sadeya and Eurita Singemde, were arrested at lunchtime whilst taking in food to the group. The two women are still in custody tonight.

Six members, who had been tortured and were in a lot of pain, paid admission of guilt fines and were released earlier today. Three of these members received medical attention; two for beatings on the soles of their feet and the third potentially has a broken hand from beaten with a baton stick.

The circumstances of the release of the remaining ten were not clear as the support team awaiting their release had to leave town after being chased by Law and Order officers. The lawyer had indicated that when was leaving the station, the group had been instructed to remain behind to await a lecture by Dispol (the district police authority) about their behaviour. It seems that the authorities in Masvingo are extremely ratted by social netball and football - sports fans beware!

News update
Friday 10th August - 8pm

The two members arrested yesterday lunchtime whilst taking food into Masvingo Central Police Station to their comrades are still in custody tonight. Whilst police had assured the lawyer that they would be released early this evening, they have not done so. It is now clear that the two women will spend another night in custody.

News update
Saturday 11th August - 12pm

The two members arrested on Thursday whilst taking food into Masvingo Central Police Station have finally been released. They were not charged. Police had promised the lawyer that they would be released last night and then first thing this morning. They were finally released at noon.

The entire group of 18 members in total therefore spent two nights in custody for absolutely no reason than the repressive Zimbabwean regime appears to be terrified of its own citizens. Arbitrary arrest, beatings and torture are standard experiences of human rights defenders in Zimbabwe, yet WOZA remains determined to continue with our nonviolent campaign for the social justice outlined in our People's Charter.

Let me not pray to be sheltered from dangers, but to be fearless in facing them. Let me not beg for the stilling of my pain, but for the heart to conquer it.
--Rabindranath Tagore

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