News / Local
Woza leaders released without charge
14 Sep 2012 at 06:29hrs | Views
Coordinators Jenni Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu, from the pressure group Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA), were released without charge by police in Bulawayo late on Wednesday.
The two had been arrested outside the offices of the Chronicle newspaper, where the group was holding a demonstration to demand the resumption of the Constitutional reform exercise.
Williams told SW Radio Africa that she was arrested by police who recognized her from protests last year and said they were taking her to meet the police chief at Bulawayo Central Station, Inspector Rangwani.
Magodonga and eight other WOZA members saw her being escorted on foot and joined her in solidarity. "We then spent the most frustrating two and a half hours indoors waiting to meet with him and were told he is on leave and there is no meeting," Williams explained.
She added that the arrest was an attempt to take her off the streets for two and a half hours to prevent the demonstration from taking place.
"This is why we have launched a complaint letter against the Bulawayo police accusing them of tribalism and selective application of the law. Why is it I can be in parliament in Harare and engage 25 police officers and leave without being arrested," Williams said.
Police released without charge another eight activists they had arrested earlier in the day Wednesday. Williams said she had been concerned that something worse would happen and thanked Zimbabweans who showed concern for their welfare.
Williams said the demonstrations are due to continue until government moves forward to the All Stakeholders Conference and a referendum. WOZA is demanding that negotiations by the political parties come to an end and Zimbabweans be allowed to decide on the Constitution.
Meanwhile a heavy police presence was reported in Bulawayo on Wednesday. Witnesses said that the riot police were sporting new uniforms which are "quite intimidating".
The two had been arrested outside the offices of the Chronicle newspaper, where the group was holding a demonstration to demand the resumption of the Constitutional reform exercise.
Williams told SW Radio Africa that she was arrested by police who recognized her from protests last year and said they were taking her to meet the police chief at Bulawayo Central Station, Inspector Rangwani.
Magodonga and eight other WOZA members saw her being escorted on foot and joined her in solidarity. "We then spent the most frustrating two and a half hours indoors waiting to meet with him and were told he is on leave and there is no meeting," Williams explained.
"This is why we have launched a complaint letter against the Bulawayo police accusing them of tribalism and selective application of the law. Why is it I can be in parliament in Harare and engage 25 police officers and leave without being arrested," Williams said.
Police released without charge another eight activists they had arrested earlier in the day Wednesday. Williams said she had been concerned that something worse would happen and thanked Zimbabweans who showed concern for their welfare.
Williams said the demonstrations are due to continue until government moves forward to the All Stakeholders Conference and a referendum. WOZA is demanding that negotiations by the political parties come to an end and Zimbabweans be allowed to decide on the Constitution.
Meanwhile a heavy police presence was reported in Bulawayo on Wednesday. Witnesses said that the riot police were sporting new uniforms which are "quite intimidating".
Source - swradio
