News / National
Woza leaders arrested for the second time in 2 days
20 Sep 2013 at 09:01hrs | Views
Woza protesters at the Chronicle offices
Leaders of the Women of Zimbabwe Arise (Woza) were Friday arrested for the second time in two days after demonstrating a peaceful march in Bulawayo.
This follows another peaceful demonstration in Harare on Thursday, where leaders Jenny Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu were briefly detained at Harare Central police station.
In Bulawayo, a group of about 100 placard carrying women besieged the Chronicle offices where they presented a list of service delivery demands to the new government.
The police who are known to react swiftly to street demonstrations, showed up late, sending a few baton wielding anti-riot police details.
They were clearly outnumbered by the group who refused to disperse.
A few minutes later a few more police details arrived and picked up Williams, Mahlangu and a few other protestors.
The arrest, agitated the protestors who took to their heels and followed the police vehicle to the Bulawayo Central Police station.
Police quickly formed a barricade around the entrance of the station to prevent the protestors from gaining entry into the station.
The protestors broke into song and dance demanding the release of their leaders.
Police reacted with force and dispersed the group, with some protestors receiving thorough beatings.
According to the petition, the pressure group wants the government to prioritise the construction and maintenance of roads to reduce accidents, more clinics and improved health delivery including better treatment by health care professionals in clinics and hospitals.
"A more meaningful education system and a boost to the education facilities and decent salaries for teachers should be provided," reads part of the petition.
This follows another peaceful demonstration in Harare on Thursday, where leaders Jenny Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu were briefly detained at Harare Central police station.
In Bulawayo, a group of about 100 placard carrying women besieged the Chronicle offices where they presented a list of service delivery demands to the new government.
The police who are known to react swiftly to street demonstrations, showed up late, sending a few baton wielding anti-riot police details.
They were clearly outnumbered by the group who refused to disperse.
A few minutes later a few more police details arrived and picked up Williams, Mahlangu and a few other protestors.
The arrest, agitated the protestors who took to their heels and followed the police vehicle to the Bulawayo Central Police station.
Police quickly formed a barricade around the entrance of the station to prevent the protestors from gaining entry into the station.
The protestors broke into song and dance demanding the release of their leaders.
Police reacted with force and dispersed the group, with some protestors receiving thorough beatings.
According to the petition, the pressure group wants the government to prioritise the construction and maintenance of roads to reduce accidents, more clinics and improved health delivery including better treatment by health care professionals in clinics and hospitals.
"A more meaningful education system and a boost to the education facilities and decent salaries for teachers should be provided," reads part of the petition.
Source - southerneye
