Over 180 arrested as WOZA members march in Bulawayo & Harare

By Tererai Karimakwenda
21 August 2006

Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) report that over 180 of their members including 5 babies were arrested in Bulawayo Monday after they took to the streets to protest the Reserve Bank’s Operation Sunrise.
WOZA coordinator Jenni Williams told us approximately 450 members had participated in the demonstration in Bulawayo. She said about 250 marched in Harare but no arrests were reported there. The Bulawayo arrests included men from the newly formed MOZA, Men Of Zimbabwe Arise. Williams said the usual protocol of taking names has been completed by the police and the arrested were now in the hands of the Law and Order officials. As of late Monday afternoon WOZA was in the process of preparing food for them and awaiting information on the next procedure.

Williams told us WOZA wants to be able to hold Reserve Bank governor Gideon Gono accountable. She said they had held consultations about the currency conversions introduced by Gono three weeks ago and recognize that his so-called Operation Sunrise is not a genuine attempt to solve the country’s economic crisis. It had been imposed on the people without consultation and has brought more harassment to those already burdened by a failed economy. Williams said Monday’s march was intended to let Gono know that the venomous monster he talked about was not illegal currency deals in Zimbabwe but was actually the ruling party imposing this economy on the people. She said: “A real hero does more than remove zeros.”

As for admission of guilt fines, Williams said WOZA has not paid these fines for 2 years now and their members understand this policy. She explained that individuals may choose to pay the fines if they wish but as an organization it was against their policy to admit guilt for exercising their constitutional right. Expressing sympathy for those arrested Williams said she is aware there is pressure on them and she understands the conditions in the jail cells from experience.

The Bulawayo protest started at the Post Office on Main Street Monday morning and turned into Leopold Takawira Street, headed for the Reserve Bank where the women intended to leave a message for Gono. But riot police appeared and stopped the procession. 11 loads with about 15 members in each vehicle took those arrested to Bulawayo Central.

The full text of their letter to Gono can be found here