WOZA'S SILENT MARCH ATTRACTS HARSH RESPONSE FROM

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 HARARE 000503 SIPDIS SIPDIS AF/S FOR S. HILL NSC FOR SENIOR AFRICA DIRECTOR B. PITTMAN USAID FOR M. COPSON AND E. LOKEN ADDIS ABABA FOR USAU ADDIS ABABA FOR ACSS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/07/2017 TAGS: PHUM PGOV ASEC ZI SUBJECT: WOZA'S SILENT MARCH ATTRACTS HARSH RESPONSE FROM POLICE REF: HARARE 00343 Classified By: Ambassador Christopher Dell under Section 1.4 b/d -------------- SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (SBU) Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) supporters staged a "silent march" on June 6 in Bulawayo to demand inclusion in mediation talks between the government and the main opposition party; police used violence to disperse the crowd of 200 and arrested five women. WOZA leaders Jenni Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu were arrested later. All seven women remain in custody and reports of injuries are unconfirmed. We have provided a recommended press statement in paragraph ¶5. End Summary. -------------- WOZA Holds Silent March For A Voice -------------- ¶2. (U) In an effort to give a voice to civil society in the SADC-initiated mediation talks between the Government of Zimbabwe (GOZ) and the main opposition party Movement for Democratic Change (MDC),Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) supporters on June 6 staged a "silent march" in Bulawayo, the country's second city. Police used batons to violently break up the crowd of 200 and arrested five women. WOZA leaders Jenni Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu were arrested later when marchers regrouped in front of the police station and demanded to be arrested in a show of solidarity. All seven women remain in custody and reports of injuries are unconfirmed. Approximately 15 other marchers have sought medical attention for minor injuries. -------------- The Timeworn Tactic: Beat, Arrest and Stall -------------- ¶3. (U) Kassam Ncube, the lawyer representing the arrestees, told POLOFF that police permitted him access to the arrestees the evening of June 6 and they did not appear to be injured. He added, however, that the arrestees may have been too intimidated by the police in the room to speak freely. There is particular concern for the safety of Williams given recent threats of violence against her leveled by Bulawayo police officers (reftel). ¶4. (U) Ncube also told us that police denied him access to his clients on June 7 and chased him out of the station. They also denied the arrestees food delivered by supporters. Ncube hopes that the police will take the arrestees to court on Friday -- if not, the group will remain in jail over the weekend. -------------- Recommended Press Statement -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Post recommends the following language for a Department press statement. "We condemn the action of the Government of Zimbabwe in HARARE 00000503 002 OF 002 suppressing a peaceful demonstration in Bulawayo by Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA),which was calling for a voice in mediation talks over the future of the country. In view of recent public threats by police in Bulawayo to harm WOZA National Director Jenni Williams we express particular concern and hold the government accountable for her safety. This latest attack on civil society further accentuates the need for immediate dialogue among all stakeholders concerned with halting Zimbabwe's deepening political and economic crisis. We again call on the Government of Zimbabwe to respect the rule of law and the rights of all Zimbabweans to petition their government for change." -------------- Comment -------------- ¶6. (C) Despite increased international attention and the SADC-initiated mediation talks, security forces continue to wield batons to violently break up peaceful demonstrations as an automatic response. This latest event further demonstrates that the GOZ views civil society as a threat to crush rather than as a social partner with valid concerns. End Comment. DELL