It has been confirmed that the two WOZA activists
arrested yesterday at a meeting in Mutare will be kept
at Sakubva Police Station over the weekend.
Having been denied food all day by the
Officer-in-Charge, Rigomega, the women were finally
allowed food this evening. Conditions are apparently
appalling with the women complaining of lice and
mosquitoes in cold, damp cells.
It is hoped that the two women will be taken to court
on Monday.
During the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence
and whilst President Mugabe pretends to the world that
all is well in Zimbabwe in Lisbon, WOZA salutes the
courage of the two women activists who refused to bow
to the pressure and threats of police officers and who
are determined to defend their right to the freedoms
of assembly and expression, whatever the cost.
Please continue to call Sakubva Police Station on +263
20 64212, 64717 or 63145 or the officer-in-charge
directly on +263 20 60902 to protest the arrest and
continued detention of the two women.
URGENT APPEAL – WOZA activists remain in custody
The two activists are still in custody at Sakubva
Police Station and it looks possible that they will
have to remain in custody over the weekend. Attempts
to have them taken to court and released have been
foiled by Prosecutor Mutyamaenza who demanded a bribe
to release them.
The Officer-in-Charge of Sakubva Police Station has
also denied the activists access to their lawyer and
food for a second day.
Please call Prosecutor Mutyamaenza on +263 20 64611 to
demand that he order the police to proceed by way of
summons.
Please also call Sakubva Police Station on +263 20
64212, 64717 or 63145 or the officer-in-charge
directly on +263 20 60902 to demand the release of the
two womenBreaking news from WOZA
Friday 7th December
2 WOZA members spend night in Mutare cells
Two members of Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) spent
last night in Sakubva Police Station in Mutare. They
were arrested yesterday morning during a meeting in
the Mutare suburb.
A group of approximately 90 people had gathered in a
bush clearing to discuss responsible behaviour when
they were approached by 12 police officers. 20
members, eight men, 12 women and three babies were
arrested in total and made to walk over a kilometre to
Sakubva Police Station. During the march to the police
station, several of the members were handcuffed.
At the police station, the group was denied access to
their lawyer and also denied food. Some members were
beaten. Police informed the group that as most were
not carrying their national identification cards, they
had broken the law and should pay fines. Without
access to legal counsel to advise that this was
inaccurate, most members believed they had no other
option than to pay the fines and were released at 7pm.
The two that remain in custody refused to pay fines.
It is expected that they will be charged under the
Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act and it is
hoped that they will be taken to court this morning.
There are fears that they may be kept in over the
weekend however.
More information will be given as it becomes
available.
Ends
7 December 2007
For more information, please contact Shepherd on +263
11 213 885 or +263 912 610 027. Alternatively email
info@wozazimbabwe.org or visit www.wozazimbabwe.org