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WOZA members arrested in Bulawayo today for education protest
Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA)
January 25, 2010

Members of Women and Men of Zimbabwe Arise took to the streets of Bulawayo again today to continue with their protest at the state of education in Zimbabwe and to renew their demand that government do something to improve the situation. Six women have been arrested and taken to Drill Hall.

A representative delegation of approximately 200 members marched to Mhlahlandlela Government Complex at noon today to hand over WOZA's report on the education system in Zimbabwe entitled Looking Back to Look Forward. The report covers recommendations and a list of demands that parents want addressed by the Minister of Education, Senator David Coltart.

Attempts to hand the report over two weeks ago were unsuccessful as police interrupted the peaceful protest on that occasion as well. The situation in the schools remains dire however as thousands of children continue to be turned away from schools for non-payment of fees.

Lawyers have been informed of the arrests and are en route to Drill Hall. More details will be given as soon as they become available.

News update
25 January 2010 - 8pm

Eleven members beaten, arrested and then released without being charged

At noon today a delegation of 200 women and men marched to Mhlahlandlela Government complex to deliver the WOZA report regarding the collapse of the education system in the country. Once the ministry of education official had attended and received the report, members began to disperse. As they dispersed seven riot police officers ran out of the Police Drill hall, which is opposite the complex and started to beat the peacefully dispersing activists and innocent bystanders and vendors.

One member who tried to avoid arrest by walking into the passport office was followed and beaten, after being beaten she was then told to 'run' to the drill hall whilst being beaten all the way there. Another member was also grabbed and suffered the same fate. It was finally determined that a total of eleven members had been arrested and they were seen being frogmarched into the drill hall. This occurred at 12:15.

Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights quickly deployed a lawyer but he was unable locate them in the Drill hall complex. At 3:30pm however they were released without charge or explanation. Medication has been supplied for soft tissue bruising caused by being beaten with a baton stick.

The protest took place as a follow up last week's protests in Bulawayo and Harare. In Harare a journalist and innocent bystander were arrested and released without being detained but a member Tabita Taona spent one and half days in custody before being released under unclear circumstances.

WOZA will continue to demonstrate as long as children are still being chased from schools and the constant demands for fees, levies, incentives to teachers and other demands continue unabated.

WOZA also note that despite promises in their 15 September 2008 agreement made by the power sharing government, for security sector reform and respect for civil liberties, all these have proven to be empty promises that remain ignored by SADC underwriters of the deal. The deal principles remain vocal about their own 'outstanding issues' but ignore the people's outstanding issues - a decent education and jobs with a dignified salary.

Visit the Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) fact sheet

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