Arrested WOZA woman gives birth

September 12, 2006 - (Zimbabwejournalists.com) A baby has been born to one of the 91 women arrested by riot police here yesterday, WOZA has reported.

A WOZA spokesperson said: “News from the sisters in custody indicate that a pregnant woman amongst those arrested yesterday went into labour and has since been rushed to Parirenyatwa Hospital where she has given birth. We are trying to follow up and ensure that mother and baby are well cared for. The lawyer tried unsuccessfully to gain access to her this morning but was this afternoon advised that she was rushed by ambulance to hospital.”

She said only 83 of the 107 have so far managed to obtain something to eat in the cells as no food was available other than that taken in by WOZA representatives.

“After a frustrating day, lawyers have finally been advised that a docket has been handed over to the Police Law and Order Department and will advise in due course of the way forward. WOZA would like to acknowledge that commitment shown by Tafadzwa Mugabe of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights in trying to ensure members gain access to their right to representation.”

The 91 people were rounded up outside the offices of the city council in the central business district and taken to Harare Central Police Station following a demonstration yesterday. At least four of the women were carrying babies, WOZA coordinator, Jenni Williams said.

In an earlier statement WOZA put the figure of arrests at 30. However, others including bystanders were picked up during the police swoop, Wiliams told Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa. "We don't know that all of those people arrested are our people," she said.

The women had planned to stage a sit-in at Town House, but were arrested as they tried to enter the premises, she said. Conditions in towns and cities across the country have taken a sharp turn for the worse in recent years amid a worsening economic crisis and allegations of incompetence on the part of the authorities.

Harare used to be known as the Sunshine City, but now residents have to contend with burst water and sewage pipes, uncollected refuse and broken streetlights, despite paying large sums for water and rates.

Three years ago the government suspended the popular opposition mayor of Harare, Elias Mudzuri, and appointed a commission to run the affairs of the city in his place. Civic groups and even members of Mugabe's party have called for an end to the commission's tenure, and for fresh elections to appoint a new mayor.

Meanwhile members of WOZA went to police stations to try to determine if members were in custody there and numbers. This search revealed 63 members at Central,10 in Chitungwiza and 10 in Mbare. No one was found at Highlands or Glen Norah. We are still trying to check on Braeside and possibly at Rhodesville, said Williams.

From: http://www.zimbabwejournalists.com/story.php?art_id=980&cat=1