Valentine demonstrators released in Zimbabwe
WOZA members at Valentine's demonstrationOver 200 members of WOZA, MOZA and student leaders arrested while participating in a peaceful protest to mark WOZA’s fifth Valentine’s procession were finally released on 15 February 2007.
Members of Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) and Men of Zimbabwe Arise (MOZA) were participating in a demonstration that took place a day before Valentine’s Day on 14 February 2007, when the WOZA women traditionally hold the Valentine's Day procession. It is reported that there was approximately 274 men and women and 20 babies arrested and detained in police custody. The protesters were being held in 7 different police stations: Bulawayo Central, Mziliazi, Donnington, Hillside, Nkulumane, Queens Park and Sauerstown. On the same day, state security and the law and order section at the Harare Police Central Police station arrested and detained 15 student leaders at the Harare Polytechnic including, Promise Mkwanazi, President of the Zimbabwe National Students Union. The student leaders were holding a peaceful protest about the deteriorating situation of higher education in Zimbabwe.
On 14 February 2007, 36 members were released, which included mothers with babies, juveniles, pregnant women, and one injured woman, leaving 141 in custody for a second night. By 15 February police ran out of delaying tactics and released all the protesters.
A statement issued by WOZA read: “Whilst we recognize that it is positive step for them to refuse to be used to convict innocent people, we appeal to police officers to help ‘ name and shame’ the senior police officer who shouted at Riot police not to dialogue with the activists at the scene but gave the order for the peaceful women and men to be beaten. We also deplore the manner in which those arrested were beaten as they ascended the staircase into the law and order department of Bulawayo Central. Those who had sustained injuries due to beatings on arrest and in custody have been taken to receive medical treatment.”