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WOZA
trial of members, court appearances and ruling from the Supreme
Court
Women
of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA)
May 28, 2009
Charges against
eight WOZA members and two lawyers have been acquitted. The 'Valentine
10' were initially removed off remand on 28th April 2009 but
were then served with summons to re-appear in Harare Magistrate's
Court on 19 May 2009. The trial began immediately with state witnesses
giving evidence. The matter was then adjourned to 28 May but Magistrate
Moses Murendo ruled to acquit the activist and he went further by
telling the women to 'go and buy more roses and to spread
love', leave Prosecutor Ms Ngoma unable to secure a conviction.
The group of 10 had been arrested on 10th February after an early
Valentine's Day protest in Harare. They were facing charges
under Section 37 1 a i) of the Criminal
Law (Codification and Reform) Act - 'disturbing
the peace, security or order of the public'. They were represented
by Andrew Makoni.
On the Thursday
14th May 2009 the Education 'Five' appeared in Harare
Magistrate's Court. Their lawyer, Alec Muchadehama successfully
applied to have them removed off remand. The state will have to proceed
by way of summons if they wish to proceed. The human rights defenders
were arrested on 25 February 2009 outside the Ministry of Education
The Education Five face the same charges of disturbing the peace,
security or order of the public.
Supreme Court
Judge Godfrey Chidyausiku heard the urgent order to suspend the Trial
of Williams and Mahlangu pending the outcome of an application under
Section 24 (1), of the Constitution. He ruled to halt trial proceedings
until a ruling on a constitutional matter have been handed down. The
constitutional application will be heard on 4th June 2009 by the full
bench of the Constitutional Court.
Justice Chidyausiku approved the draft order to grant Williams and
Mahlangu the right to approach the court directly after Bulawayo magistrate
Msipa had ruled that a constitutional case was frivolous and vexations.
The application was made in terms of, Section 24 (1), of the Constitution
- applicants can apply directly to the Supreme Court if they feel
that they are still aggrieved. (The text of the draft order is attached
below).
The duo last appeared in court on 30 April 2009 and were remanded
out of custody to 7th July 2009 to await the ruling from the Supreme
Court.
Visit the WOZA fact
sheet
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