Arrested WOZA activist rushed to hospital to give birth

By Violet Gonda
12 September 2006

One of the 107 WOZA women arrested in Harare Monday was rushed to Parirenyatwa hospital to give birth after she went into labour in police custody. The women activists were arrested whilst trying to protest at Town House to demonstrate their anger at the shocking service delivery experienced in the capital. The members were hoping to address their complaints to Sekesai Makwavarara, the head of the illegal commission running Harare.

A police officer at Harare Central confirmed that the woman was rushed to hospital Tuesday but refused to give any more information. WOZA coordinator Jenni Williams said lawyers had been trying to get her released yesterday when they heard that her condition was serious. Williams said; “From the calls we had the situations was very urgent and so we presume she had already gone into labour in the cells.” It’s not clear if the activist and her new born baby are still under custody of the police. But all the other women, some with babies, are still in police custody. The coordinator said a docket for all 107 arrested was finally prepared and handed over to the police Law and Order Department late Tuesday.

Lawyers have been unable to get proper information mainly because their clients are scattered at several police stations in Harare. Williams said a door to door search of police stations revealed that so far at least 62 members are at Harare Central, 10 in Chitungwiza, 10 in Mbare, 10 Rhodesville and 15 at Southerton Police Station.

The many arrests that have been happening in Zimbabwe have had the benefit of exposing the appalling conditions in country’s prisons. Speaking after the release of student activists on Monday, the Secretary General of the Zimbabwe National Students Union, Beloved Chiweshe, said there are no blankets in the cold cells and no running water at Harare Central Police Station. “Sewage is flowing all over and unfortunately in cells you are forced to remove your shoes. It’s very bad, inhuman and degrading.”

Williams confirmed this saying this is not an ideal situation for pregnant women or babies, adding that the situation is very bleak for the activists in custody right now.