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Detained WOZA members assaulted by police in Harare
Tererai Karimakwenda, SW Radio Africa
February 11, 2008

http://www.swradioafrica.com/news110208/woza110208.htm

Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) have reported that the fifteen members who were briefly detained last Thursday afternoon by riot police were assaulted while in custody. The WOZA members had come from Bulawayo and were in the capital to attend the National People's Convention that started Friday.

WOZA coordinator Jenni Williams said the police taunted them throughout their detention, saying they should not speak Ndebele when they come to Harare. Williams, who was not among the detained, said police beat them with baton sticks. They were released some hours later that same day.

The police had descended on the WOZA members in Africa Unity Square, where they had gone due to delays checking into their hotel. Riot police arrived in several vehicles and the WOZA women had their bags were searched. Williams said the police found WOZA scarves and literature and took the activists to Harare Central where the assaults took place.

Among the detained group were two members of the Men of Zimbabwe Arise. One of them is named Tirimuhondo (which means we are at war). Wlliams said the police asked which war he was in, and beat him much harder than the others.

The defiant activists have vowed to continue their street actions, pressuring for a decent living, affordable food, housing, school fees and health care.

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