MEDIA ALERT

MEDIA WORKERS ARRESTED AND PROTESTORS ARRESTED

14 FEBRUARY 2003

Three media workers were arrested today, 14 January, at the United Nations Offices in Harare. The three are Lloyd Mudiwa a reporter with The Daily News, Aaron Ufumeli a photographer with the same paper and Tsvangirai Mukwazhi a photographer for Associated Press. The police confiscated Ufumeli’s camera and those of several other freelance journalists.

The three were covering a march by about 60 women in the city centre. The women had gone to the UN Offices to deliver a petition to be forwarded to the UN Secretary General Koffi Annan. The group was organised by the women’s Advocacy group Women of Zimbabwe arise or WOZA.

The women include Opposition Member of Parliament Trudy Stevenson and two Roman Catholic Nuns. The march was part of a campaign to endorse United Nations Secretary General Koffi Annan as the valentine of Zimbabwe women on this day. The whole area at the at the United Nations representative office was combed off by the police. Several passer byes were also arrested and some chased by baton wielding police officers. All the women were bundled into 6 police vans and taken to the Harare central police station. Police Spokesperson Wayne Bvudzijena said he is not aware of the arrests and refereed questions to Chief Superintendent Bothwell Mugariri. Chief Superintandant Mugariri also professed ignorance of the arrests further referring questions to another Women Inspector who could not be reached.

The coordinator of WOZA, Jenni Williams said that the police had turned down their request to hold the march. She said that the City of Bulawayo police had agreed but later withdrew the permission. A letter from the police signed by one Chief Superintendent Officer Commanding Harare District D Kupara says that the marches would result in public disorder. The letter dated 10 February says that the march would interfere with the smooth flow of traffic that is both human and vehicles. It goes further to say that the police have no manpower to monitor the situation, as they are pre-occupied with the cricket world cup. Under Section 25 of the Public Order and Security Act (POSA), the police have authority to ban any gathering or march. Ms Williams said that they went ahead with the march because they disagree with the decision of the authorities. She adds that the ban is in contravention of their constitutionally protected rights to freedom of expression and freedom of association.

WOZA, which means, “Arise” in South African language of ZULU is seeking signatures from women for this endorsements of the UN chief. The message that has been delivered to the UN offices reads that Mr Annan must assist Zimbabwe to “learn to love again”. The collected signatures from the endorsement of Mr Koffi Annan were presented to the UN representative today. The petition was delivered despite efforts by the police to prevent the women from getting access to the UN representative’s office.

The message says that women of Zimbabwe have chosen the UN Secretary General hoping that he will help to unite Zimbabwe. The message says that Zimbabwe is hungry for food, love and peace. It further states that women are concerned because it is their challenge to fulfil motherly duties.

END
Rashweat Mukundu
Research and Information Officer
MISA-Zimbabwe
221 Fife Ave
Box HR 8113
Harare
Zimbabwe
Phone 00 263 4 712 841 , 735 441/2
Mobile 00 263 4 11 602 685
E Mail [email protected] [2]