Zimbabwe - Front Line welcomes human rights defenders release
Front Line welcomes the release on bail of Jenni Williams, National Coordinator of Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA), and WOZA deputy Magodonga Mahlangu from Mlondolozi Prison at 9:30 am on 6 November 2008. Despite the release of the two human rights defenders, Front Line is concerned about the ongoing pattern of harassment against members of WOZA and urges the authorities to guarantee that human rights defenders and human rights organisations in Zimbabwe are free to carry out their legitimate human rights activities without fear of reprisals.
Further Information
Posted 05/11/08. On 16 October 2008 Jenni Williams and Magadonga Mahlangu were arrested during a peaceful demonstration in Bulawayo which called for access to food aid for Zimbabweans. They were charged with “disturbing the peace, security or order of the public” under Section 37 1(a) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act. After their case was postponed on 21 October and 24 October 2008, they were denied bail by the Magistrate Court on 27 October 2008. This decision was overturned on 5 November 2008 by the Bulawayo High Court who instructed Jenni Williams and Magadonga Mahlangu to pay bail of $200,000 each (roughly € 1.25),to report to their closest police station twice a week and not travel outside of a 40 km radius of Bulawayo Post Office without written permission from a Magistrate. While bail for the two human rights defenders was paid on 5 November, attempts to release Jennifer Williams and Magadonga Mahlangu were further delayed by administrative errors until 6 November 2008 at 9.30am.
Front Line is also concerned with the ill-treatment of Jennifer Williams and Magadonga Mahlangu while they were in detention, and the conditions of the Mlondolozi Female Prison where they were held. On 30 October 2008 Magadonga Mahlangu was placed in a cell with a mental health patient accused of murder. At least three minors (aged 15 and 16) were being held in the same cell as Jenni Williams. Due to extreme food shortages, prisoners fightover orange peels and food scraps. Male prison guards are given free access the female prison and can see into washing facilities and prisoners are stripped naked every day for inspection by prison officers as they are locked down.
Jenni Williams and Magadonga Mahlangu are due for a routine court appearance in Bulawayo Magistrate’s Court on 10 November 2008.