800 WOZA women commemorate anniversary of police brutality

By Violet Gonda
29 March 2006

At least 800 members of Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) gathered at St Marys Cathedral in Bulawayo Wednesday to commemorate last year’s brutal attack on the group by the police. Over 260 women were arrested and suffered inhuman treatment when riot police broke up a peaceful vigil in Africa Unity Square last March. WOZA says at least 20 women with babies strapped on their backs were arrested.

Magodonga Mahlangu said at the cathedral some of the victims gave moving testimonies whilst the general theme was prayer for hope and healing. There were no disturbances by state sponsored thugs. The pressure group will be holding an all night prayer vigil at Zimbabwe Methodist Church in Harare Friday.

Many of the activists who were detained last year are reported to be still suffering medical complications and distress as a result of the beatings they received.

Mahlangu invited people who share the same vision with the group to attend Friday’s service or at least participate in the prayer vigil from their homes. She said, “Right now we are hopeless. We are a hopeless nation and we all need to give each other hope.”

The women have also challenging Zimbabwe’s first female Vice President Joyce Mujuru to defend the rights of women.