International human rights group, Amnesty International, this week called for police to refrain from violating the rights of women in Zimbabwe.
This followed revelations, at the time of going to print, that two leaders of the social justice movement Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA), Jenni Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu, were being sought by police. They were at risk of arbitrary arrest and ill-treatment following the organisation's ninth annual Valentine's Day peaceful protest in Bulawayo last month.
Officers have also contacted a human rights lawyer, demanding he bring the two WOZA leaders to Bulawayo Central Police station. The officer reportedly stated that the two 'must prepare themselves for a long detention'. However, police have given no indication of the reasons why they are searching for the two WOZA leaders, causing fears that the two could be arbitrarily arrested and detained.
Following the reports Mahlangu and Williams were on the police's ‘wanted list', Amnesty is leading a campaign to petition Deputy Commissioner-General Innocent Matibiri, and the Member in Charge of Bulawayo Central Police Station. Amnesty urged Zimbabweans to petition the senior officials urging them to ensure that the in their conduct, officers are mindful of and respect the ruling by the Supreme Court of Zimbabwe.
