Williams and Mahlangu on trial Thursday 22 Jan – Bulawayo Magistrate’s Court

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LEADERS of Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA), Jenni Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu, will appear on trial tomorrow, 22nd January 2009 in Tredgold Court in Bulawayo. The duo are charged with C/S 37 (1) (a


The state has also served summons for an arrest on 19 June 2004 under c/s
7(c) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act chapter 9:15 "acting in a manner which is likely to lead to a breach of the peace or to create a nuisance or obstruction". It is unclear how this matter will be handled as it could be tried simultaneously or will be added and incorporated into the current case.

They were arrested on 16th October 2008 at Mhlahlandlela Government Complex and were held in custody for three weeks; first at Bulawayo Central Police Station, then at Bulawayo Remand Prison before spending the remainder of the time at Mlondolozi Prison. The protest was to demand that the food situation in Zimbabwe be declared a national disaster and all Zimbabweans be able to access food aid whilst protracted political negotiations are more speedily concluded.

Their trial was due to start on 2nd December 2008, but the state, represented by Mr. Shawarira, was not ready for trial and so Magistrate Msipa postponed the trial until 22 January 2009. All bail conditions, which included reporting to police twice a week and not being allowed to travel outside a 40-kilometer radius of Bulawayo without written permission, were lifted.

Kossam Ncube, briefed by Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, will represent Williams and Mahlangu.

Their arrest and detention was in violation of the 15th September 2008 Global Political Agreement between Zanu PF and the two Movement for Democratic Change party’s. WOZA asks for solidarity from individuals and other civic partners.
WOZA

Post published in: Politics

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