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Two WOZA women arrested over scarf and t-shirt
By Lance Guma
24 May 2006 |
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| As five women from the WOZA group were released Wednesday following a school fee protest the previous day, two more were arrested over a scarf with a WOZA logo. Officials from Mahlabezulu School in Bulawayo called police onto their premises after one parent came to pay her fees wearing a WOZA scarf. They accused her of participating in Tuesday’s protest but despite evidence to the contrary the police went on to arrest her. The woman showed them a cheque that she had queued in a bank to obtain Tuesday, but the police ignored her strong alibi. |
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They proceeded to conduct an illegal search at her home where they found a WOZA t-shirt written ‘stop the violence against women.’ Jenni Williams who co-ordinates the groups activities told Newsreel that the woman was assaulted by police officers ‘until she named the person who had given her the t-shirt.’ That person was then also arrested despite recently suffering a stroke and being visibly ill. The groups lawyers managed to secure their release on the same day after warned and cautioned statements were signed by both women. Williams said they bear no grudges against the Mahlebezulu school officials for calling the police and insisted they will continue to give them a dose of their ‘tough love.’ |
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| On Tuesday WOZA embarked on an anti fee-hike campaign targeting individual schools. At least 600 members took part in the education campaign in seven areas across Harare and Bulawayo. The peaceful protests targeted government and council schools, which have continued to turn away children for non-payment of fees. As is now custom the police intervened and arrested five women, holding them at Njube Police Station in Bulawayo before releasing them Wednesday. |
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