WOZA activist missing after Thursday arrests

By Violet Gonda
20 April 2007

Scores of activists from the group Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) and Men of Zimbabwe Arise (MOZA) who were arrested on Thursday for protesting at the ZESA offices were released on Friday afternoon. But several people are said to have been badly beaten, including Clarah Makoni and Angeline Karuru, who had taken food to the victims at one of the police stations.

WOZA coordinator Jenni Williams told us both girls were severely assaulted before they were released. According to Williams, Karuru was released at midday on Friday while Makoni was released Thursday evening. But there are now concerns for 18 year old Clarah’s safety as she is reported to have gone missing.

Members of the pressure group were arrested during Thursday’s sit-ins at 8 local offices of the electricity supply authority. 82 people spent the night in custody while five, who included four mothers and a minor, were ordered to report to the police on Friday morning. All the detained were finally released and told that the police will proceed by way of summons, but the whereabouts of Clarah Makoni remain unknown.

The WOZA coordinator told us that the badly beaten Makoni had been released Thursday night but ordered to report back to Bulawayo Central Police Station at 8am on Friday. According to Williams she went back to the police station although she was obviously very ill and vomiting. She said: “We are extremely worried for her safety.”

The group said the police deny holding her although the activist reportedly phoned the WOZA leaders from a number within the police station. Williams said she indicated that she was feeling unwell but had been ordered by two police officers to show them the home of Magodonga Mahlangu.

WOZA leaders Jenni Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu had themselves been involved in a dramatic car chase with the police on Thursday.

The 18 year old activist was among the group that was arrested and tortured after the Valentine’s Day protests in February. She is reported to have sustained an inflamed kidney at that time.

Her friend Angeline Karuru confirmed that they had been arrested and heavily interrogated by police who asked them why they were bringing food to the police station. Karuru who had taken food to her detained mother said she was beaten on the feet.