9 Woza activists released on $50 bail each

The nine Women of Zimbabwe Arise (Woza) activists arrested early this week on charges of splashing graffiti messages on roads in Bulawayo's western suburbs, have been released on $50 bail each.

The activists were not asked to plead to the charges when they appeared before Western Commonage magistrate Richard Ramaboea yesterday.

Their lawyer said the case had been remanded to July 18 for trial.

The court heard that on July 2 at 10.55pm, a police officer observed the Woza activists allegedly scribbling the word "devolution" along Nketa Drive near the Western Commonage Courts in Mpopoma. The officer immediately arrested them.

Woza co-leader Magodonga Mahlangu said the activists would soon file a court application for ill-treatment by the police during their three-day
ordeal in police custody.

They accused police of denying them food and medication while under arrest.

"We will find out from our members what experiences and violations were done on them during detention and later file our complaints," she said.

Police claimed some of the alleged offensive graffiti messages read: "Fire Chihuri, the partisan police commissioner", "Devolution for development", We want separation of powers" and "We want education".