165 arrested during WOZA protest

r those queuing outside the RBZ waiting to get rid of the last of their old bearers cheques. The peaceful protest started at 11am at the Post Office in Main Street. As the procession turned into Leopold Takawira St, to go to the Reserve Bank, police appeared and stopped them. A vehicle with riot police stationed at the Reserve Bank then drove and began the process of arresting. Eleven truck-loads carrying approximately 15 members in each vehicle, took those arrested to Bulawayo Central. Lawyers were on site but the police refused to allow them to see their clients until the Police Internal Security Intelligence (PISI) had processed them and handed them over to Law and Order Department. The procession intended to hand over an open letter to Gideon Gono, and in case they were arrested along the way, were distributing copies as they walked. Bystanders came forward to take copies and were shouting encouragement to the women. As they marched, the group sang a song by Lovemore Majaivana saying that this country has no money – ‘lelilizwe alilamali’. – Own correspondent