Scores of WOZA activists arrested in Filabusi

By Violet Gonda
11 June 2007

On Monday more than 100 activists were arrested, this time in Filabusi, Matabeleland South. WOZA coordinator Jenni Williams said several hundred women had gathered in Filabusi to launch their People’s Charter but were dispersed by the police. She said 12 were arrested on the spot and taken to the police station but about 150 women marched to the police station to hand themselves in, in solidarity.

Williams said handing themselves in with their colleagues has become part of their multi faceted resistance plan. The women were later released after spending a couple of hours in detention.

The demonstrators were intending to launch proposals for a better Zimbabwe, including calling for the repeal of draconian laws and access to better education and housing. The group has, in recent months, had several violent encounters with the police when it attempted to launch the People’s Charter in Bulawayo, Harare, Masvingo, Gweru and Mutare.

Last Wednesday the pressure group took to the streets in Bulawayo to demand the inclusion of the grassroots movement in the negotiation talks between the main political parties. Five women were arrested on the spot and released on Friday after being charged under the Criminal Codification Act. Williams and another leader were also arrested on the same Wednesday, after they marched with a group of about 80 activists to Bulawayo Central police station to hand themselves in. The two leaders were released on bail on Saturday. Williams said: “We now have a policy of solidarity because an injury to one is an injury to all.”

The continued arrests and beatings of opposition and rights defenders have led many to question the validity of the Thabo Mbeki led negotiations and the participation of the MDC in the talks when their people are being brutalized.

One observer said halting violence and arrests should be the minimum precondition before talks can even begin; “Will we ever learn? How can we allow talks to take place whilst Mugabe is given free reign to put his violence and rigging machinery in place? How can we talk when the Tsvangirai MDC, the NCA and the women of WOZA are being beaten up by those who are supposed to keep Zimbabweans safe?”

Opposition officials are refusing to comment on the ongoing talks and it has become clear that they are being gagged in line with Thabo Mbeki’s policy of quite diplomacy.