Babies among WOZA activists assaulted in custody

By Violet Gonda
25 April 2007

Four babies are among the scores of WOZA activists who were assaulted while in police custody. A six mouth old baby sustained a swollen leg after she was beaten while her mother was trying to remove her from her back.

10 babies aged between six months and two years old were detained together with their mothers on Monday. 20 activists and one baby were released around 2pm on Tuesday while the rest of the 36 members and nine babies were released around 7pm in the evening.

The pressure group said: “All 56 members arrested on Monday at the Kuwadzana ZESA sit-in had been assaulted in police custody. They were all finally released Tuesday evening after being forced to pay admission of guilt fines of Z$2 500 each.

It’s reported the activists were made to lie down on the floor in the Law and Order department of Harare Central Police Station and were beaten by 12 officers. Police Inspectors: Chari, Juta, Baya, Phiri and Mufademba were some of the names mentioned by the victims as having carried out the assaults.

Lillian, WOZA’s Harare coordinator, said at least 4 babies were caught in the crossfire during the beatings. The mother of the six-month old baby, who spoke from the clinic, said all the mothers who were carrying babies were told to put them down but the police started beating the women and in the process injuring several babies. She said the police accused them of taking their time in putting the children on the floor and started hitting them. The woman who preferred to remain anonymous alleges police threatened to harm their babies so that the women would not have the strength or courage to continue with their demonstrations.

SW Radio Africa spoke to several women who were receiving treatment at the local clinic in Harare. They confirmed that they were thoroughly assaulted by police officers. When asked if it is wise to take children to demonstrations some said they had no one to leave the young babies with at home, while others said they were holding peaceful demonstrations and have a right to protest. One of the women, a grandmother, said that was the reason they staged a silent protest at the Kuwadzana Zesa sub station, so that they would not be accused of disturbing the peace. But armed police violently broke up the sit-in. Despite the beatings the WOZA members vowed to continue demanding a better life.