Front Line welcomes the release of eight members of human rights organisation, Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) on 15 August 2011. The release follows a court ruling by Magistrate Themba Chimiso, that the State must withdraw charges against the women, based on a legal precedent set by the Supreme Court in 2008. Lawyers for the accused, Lizwe Jamela and Nosimilo Chanayiwa cited a Supreme Court ruling concerning similar charges brought against two members of WOZA in 2008.

Further Information

Grace Moyo, Stella Chivunge, Sikhangezile Sibanda, Simangaliphi Msimanga, Cevelia Ncube, Siboniso Siziba, Miriam Moyo, and Memory Matandare, were arrested on 24 May 2011 and charged with two counts – (1): intentionally engaging in disorderly or riotous conduct as defined under section 41(a) of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act 9:23; and (2): alternatively encumbering or obstructing the free passage along any street, road, thoroughfare, sidewalk or pavement as defined under section 46 (2) (f) of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act. The aforementioned persons were arrested while participating in a peaceful protest during which they demanded improvements be made to the electricity supply in Pumula suburb, Bulawayo.

The court ruling handed down on 15 August 2011, as well as the Supreme Court ruling dating back to 2008, serves to underscore the importance of legal protection for the right to freedom of expression and freedom of assembly as enshrined in both international and domestic law, permitting human rights defenders to conduct their legitimate human rights work without fear of judicial harassment.