Zimbabwe: 63 WOZA women face trial

Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) Statement

SIXTY THREE members of WOZA arrested at 12:55 on 14 February 2006 during a peaceful protest are to appear on trial on 15 May 2006 in Harare Rotten Row Court 6 at 8:30 am. They face charges under the Miscellaneous Offences Act, conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace.

These women were part of the 242 women arrested on Valentine's Day. They are the defiant few that managed to resist three days of police cruelty and psychological torture and did not pay admission of guilt fines. They demanded their right to be taken to court and were granted free bail on Friday 17th February. They have appeared before remand court on three occasions before receiving a trial date of 15th May.

They will be defended by Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights. WOZA invites anybody who wishes to show solidarity for the 'Valentine 63' are welcome to attend the proceedings.

Details of the allegations and the names of those on trial are below.

For more information, please contact Jenni Williams on
+263 91 300 456 +263 91 898 110 or email
wozazimbabwe@yahoo.com

HARARE CENTRAL CR 1265/02/06
Section CID Law and Order, Harare DAI Shoko D

Outline of the Charges against WOZA members (Typed as per Police document - any mistakes can be attributed to the Zimbabwe Republic Police - ZRP)

Offence: Section 7(c) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act Chapter 9:15 "Doing an act which is likely to lead to a breach of the peace or to create a nuisance or obstruction"

Allegations:
On 14/02/06 at cr 3rd Street/Nelson Mandela Avenue, Harare the accused, see summary of allegations as state outline of the case

Evidence:
1. The accused persons were arrested in action by Police

2. Banners, placards, skuffs, flyers were recovered by police from the accused persons

In the matter of the State vs (see attached annexture A for accuseds particulars)

1. The complainant in the matter is the State represented by Assistant Inspector Mwinde J of Harare Central District Operations.

2. All the accuseds are unemployed and are activists of WOZA (Women of Zimbabwe Arise) a pressure group in Zimbabwe.

3. On the 14th day of February 2006, it was an open day (Valentine's Day) world wide.

4. The accused persons from many parts of the country gathered at 4th Street bus terminus numbering more than 200 at about 1230 hours. They were wearing T-shirts and scuffs written WOZA (SOKWANELE - ENOUGH IS ENOUGH - ZVAKWANA) STOP VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN.

5. They had some banners written STOP VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN) - WOZA, WOZA DEFENDING WOMEN DEFENDING RIGHTS, SOKWANELE) ENOUGH IS ENOUGH) ZVAKWANA - Strike a woman and strike a rock, distributing papers written - WOZA is marching for bread and roses - JOIN US.

6. The accused marched from 4th street bus terminus towards 3rd street into Nelson Mandela avenue singing "We wre hungry, we want bread and peace to be respected", also throwing flyers written WOZA MOYA - watch out for WOZA on Valentine's day 2006, we are marching for bread and roses.

7. During the process of their march the accused were obstructing traffic and Police who were patrol under the leadership of Assistant Inspector Mwinde arrested the accused for their conduct.

8. The accused were ferried to Harare Central Police Station where they were ordered to deposit some fines $250 000.00 each for the offence. Some of the group managed to deposit the fines but the accused had no sufficient sums.

9. The accused had no right to behave in the manner they acted in these circumstances.