WOZA members released on bail

By Violet Gonda
27 October 2006

The members of the pressure groups Women of Zimbabwe Arise, who were arrested in Bulawayo on Wednesday were finally released Friday. Four women appeared before a Bulawayo magistrate and were granted Z$500 bail each while charges against a fifth woman were dropped after police failed to prove that she had been part of the protests against illegal evictions and poor service delivery in Bulawayo. It’s reported that police officers had arrested the fifth woman at her house in Mabutweni on Wednesday evening. The other four are expected to appear for their remand hearing on November 10th.

The WOZA activists were part of a group of about 50 residents of Mabutweni and Iminyela who staged a demonstration at the Mpopoma Housing Offices. They said they were protesting against Joshua Mafu, the Chairman of the Bulawayo Residents Association and Fabion Dube, Superintendent of Mpopoma Housing Office, who have allegedly given 36 residents illegal eviction notices. Residents were only given a month’s notice.

A WOZA statement said those arrested were charged under the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act; “Employing any means whatsoever which are likely to interfere with the ordinary comfort, convenience, peace or quiet of the public or any section of the public, or any act which is likely to create a nuisance or obstruction.”

If found guilty, the women could be fined or imprisoned for a period not exceeding six months, or both.

Lawyer Simba Chivaura who represented the women, complained about the humiliating treatment the women had undergone, having been made to remove their underwear.