Police detain and torture WOZA activists in Bulawayo

17 members of WOZA briefly detained and assaulted by Byo police

By Tererai Karimakwenda
19 January, 2012

At least 17 members of the Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) pressure group were briefly detained, assaulted and tortured by police in Bulawayo Thursday morning, for reasons that were not explained.

WOZA leader Magodonga Mahlangu told SW Radio Africa that all of them were released by the afternoon, but one of their members was having problems breathing after police “put her head in a plastic bag and asked if she was prepared to talk”.

Mahlangu said there was no demonstration or large gathering of WOZA members at the time. Two police officers who are familiar with WOZA members initially arrested three friends they recognized, accusing them of “standing” at a mall.

They then bundled the three into a police van and drove around picking up other women they knew to be WOZA members. One male activist was also picked up and then released after an hour. The remaining 16 were assaulted.

It is not clear what the charges are but according to WOZA, a “notorious” officer named George Levison Ngwenya, who has been involved in previous arrests and assaults of their members, dealt with Thursday’s arrests.

“He had the audacity to follow them when they were released and say let’s forget everything that happened in his office. How do you forget a plastic bag over your head,” Mahlangu asked. She added that police stepped on some of the women’s heads and on their toes. No-one has been hospitalized.

“WOZA note that once again the Officer Ngwenya is overzealous and assaults members in his ongoing personal vendetta against WOZA members,” the group said in a statement.

WOZA leaders Jenni Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu are due in Bulawayo Magistrates Court on Friday, in another case where they are facing kidnap and theft charges.

A magistrate ruled earlier this week that two must answer the charges even though witnesses denied the incident ever happened. The magistrate promised a written copy of the ruling, which the defence lawyer needs in order to challenge the ruling at the High Court.

Mahlangu said police officer Ngwenya was also involved in the kidnap and theft case. The group accuses Bulawayo police of harassment and malicious prosecution, but vowed to continue with their peaceful activities.