Repression of anti-poverty movement continues in Zimbabwe

Latest report from the demonstrations in Harare which have seen at least 120 jailings of anti-poverty activists.

The rains of Dissent

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While the rains fall, they pound the roofs of the cells that hold those with dignity in their hearts. 115 comrades who fought poverty on Tuesday are being held in the poverty of Chitungwiza holding cells. In darkness, putrid smells, bloody hands. Allegations of torture. Not charged with a crime but still being held. Women with children, people living with HIV/AIDS. A desperate regime has no shame, no mercy. We hear that despite lawyers taking an urgent application for release to the courts it is likely that this dying regime will try to hold those with dignity in their hearts until next week. They still think baton sticks can crush dignity.

This regime is in fear. There have been 3 demonstrations in Harare in the past 5 days. The National Constitutional Assembly demonstrated on Saturday for a new constitution. The ZCTU gathered on Tuesday to march against poverty while solidarity actions sprung up around the country, from youths distributing freedom literature at High Glen ghetto shopping centre to workers' actions in Mutare. Wednesday saw a student demonstration at University of Zimbabwe against privatisation and low-pay outs. Zanu's crony capitalist management of the economy has seen the rains of discontent and dissent falling. Pounding the ground. Breaking the tarmac. This rain won't stop until we harvest freedom.

We call on those who support dignity and freedom to carry out solidarity actions. Comrades in Harare, go to Makoni holding cells and demand to see the arrested comrades. Jam the police phone lines with your calls. Comrades outside of Zimbabwe, picket your local zanu (pf) embassy, jam its phone lines and emails with your complaints and heart-held beliefs. Build a false jail with bars outside the illegitimate embassy. Perform street theatre about the poverty in Zimbabwe created by this crony capitalist regime. Sign and spread the petition attached to this email. Let creativity be an expression of freedom in the face of tyranny.

FREE ZIMBABWE'S POLITICAL PRISONERS

The struggle against poverty cannot be locked up! On the 5th of November, National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) activists were arrested in towns across Zimbabwe where protests were held on Saturday against the forthcoming Senate elections. Fourteen detainees are being held in Harare, one in Bulawayo, nine in Mutare, four in Masvingo, and six in Gweru. The charges laid against them are illegal gathering and one of assaulting a police officer (who reportedly tripped himself while chasing fleeing demonstrators).

On the 8th of November, at least 120 participants in the protest organised by the Zimbabwean Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) in Harare were arrested. What the charges they face are is still a matter of speculation because the arresting officers have relocated all the detainees outside of Harare to Chitungwiza and Dema before processing their charge sheets. Among the detainees are: Regis Mtutu (Social Forum) Lovemore Madhuku (NCA) Wellington Chibhebhe, Mai Nyamupinga & Lovemore Matombo (president) (ZCTU) John Bomba (International Socialist Organisation) Netsai Dzinoreva & Sydney Chisi (Zimbabwe Integrated Youth Survival Alternative Programme, ZIYSAP)

On the 9th of November, seven student leaders were arrested on the University of Zimbabwe's Harare campus. For encouraging students to sign a petition against the victimisation of Student Executive Committee leaders and the conditions of learning in Zimbabwe's institutions of higher education, they stand accused of "inciting violence". They are:

• Washington Katema (presdent, Zimbabwean National Students Union, ZINASU)
• Hentchel Mavuma (UZ SEC President)
• Collen Chibango (UZ SEC Vice President)
• Garikayi Kajawo (UZ SEC Secretary General) Mfundo Mlilo (UZ SEC Spokesperson)
• Wellington Mahohoma (UZ SEC Legal and Academic Affairs)
• Tawanda Chitekwe (UZ SEC Properties Secretary)

Police brutality is a feature common to all accounts of these arrests. Detainees have been denied access to lawyers, and family and friends have been plagued with reports of torture. Even the most vulnerable of the detainees have been denied healthcare, nutrition and the medication they need for their wellbeing. Five women with babies are known to be among the detained, as well as twenty people (at least) living with HIV. The worry that these detentions will result in deaths is very real and there can be no delaying their release.

How can the Zimbabwean regime continue to pretend that their fight is against imperialism when it impoverishes the people it rules and arrests those organising against this crushing poverty? If there was any doubt that Operation Muramb-atsvina is a political strategy to crush the poor into a passive mass, these arrests now confirm that the regime is capable of every brutality.

Free Briggz Bomba and Sydney Chisi of the Uhuru Youth Council!

Free Our Zimbabwe Social Forum Comrades!

Free All 115 Political Prisoners!

Fire,
comrade fatso -uhuru youth council-

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Zim telephone / faxes

The Ministry of Home Affairs can be reached on the Following numbers:
Phone: +263-4-723653/703642 Fax:
Permanent secretary's office: +263-4-707231 Ministers Office: +263-4-726716

Harare Central police station: +263-4-777777

Law and Order Section: fax: +263-4-251505

Avondale Police Station: +263-4-336632
*(This is where some protesters from the ZCTU protests and Students are being held)*

Makoni Police station: Telephone: +263-70-30517/39517/56517
*<This is where other c.s.o leaders and protesters from the ZCTU protests were moved to last night>*

Harare Central: +263-4-733033, 721212, and 725803 General Headquarters: +263-4-700171, -729137 Chitungwiza: +263-070-22001 Dema: +263-070-23142 and -21928

Zimbabwean Attorney General: +263-774539 and -781769

Zimbabwe Consulate (South Africa): +27-11-8382156

Zimbabwe High Commission (South Africa): +27-12-342 5125