JOHANNESBURG: A group of 12 Zimbabwe women, regularly arrested and ill treated in police custody, this week revealed shocking statistics of violence against members of their group, Women of Zimbabwe Arise (Woza). An interim report released by the group in Johannesburg said about 40 percent of women arrested during peaceful demonstrations were physically abused in detention. The report found that Woza members in Harare suffered more in police custody than their counterparts in second city Bulawayo. Many women were forced to take off their clothes in detention and were not allowed toiletries when menstruating. More than 20 percent of those arrested were hospitalised after being attacked by policemen, mostly from the notorious Law and Order Department. Amid the horror and tears as women told their stories in South Africa for the first time, there was also excitement. "South Africa has bread!" one young Zimbabwean women exclaimed in the foyer of the hotel in Braamfontein. Most of them say they can find little to eat as supermarkets have run out of food and the black market is both unaffordable and short of products. National co-ordinator Jenni Williams, detained 29 times since the organisation was launched five years ago, said the women were not aligned with any political party in Zimbabwe. She described Zimbabwe as a "heartbroken nation". She said the shocking death rate from HIV and Aids was exacerbated by the grave food shortage across the country. "Come and see the cemeteries, there is no space left." Mary Ndlovu, a veteran human rights activist living in Bulawayo, said: "It has become common practice for police to assault Woza women. "We also organise to nurture a new type of citizen who will herself be accountable and is brave enough to hold others accountable." Ndlovu is the widow of liberation war hero Edward Ndlovu, buried in the national Heroes' Acre in Harare. He was imprisoned by President Robert Mugabe during the crackdown on the opposition Zapu in the 1980s and died after his release. "Events in Zimbabwe are not surprising. We always knew there would be a lot of violence from Zanu-PF and right now I think it could get worse. "I joined Woza because I felt there was a great need for a movement of people to come together, be brave together, to redefine goals and take a step away from the political power issue." Woza has demonstrated against many institutions, such as the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, for its chaotic management of the worthless Zimbabwe dollar, outside the Electricity Supply Commission. In the greatest of difficulties, Woza demonstrations have shocked some men to join them. Woza does not apply for permission to hold peaceful demonstrations, because, Williams said, so many of its applications were turned down.
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