Women activists beaten in Zim

HARARE – Police in the city of Bulawayo on Wednesday descended on rights activists demonstrating for wider civil society representation in South African-brokered talks on Zimbabwe, arresting at least 15, a statement said.

The demonstrators, all of them members and supporters of Women of Zimbabwe Arise (Woza), were arrested in central Bulawayo shortly after their march began. One group was met by riot police after one block and was beaten and dispersed.The other group managed to march for two blocks before again being met by riot police and beaten, Woza said in the statement.A group of between 15 and twenty people was rounded up and taken to the central police station, it added.Co-ordinator Jenni Williams was also arrested.Several people are being treated for beatings they received at the hands of police, Woza said.Police have not confirmed the arrests.Members of Zimbabwean civil society are demanding inclusion in any talks that take place between President Robert Mugabe’s party and the main opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).In March, South Africa’s Thabo Mbeki was appointed by regional grouping SADC to try to resolve political problems in Zimbabwe following an escalation in political tensions ahead of next year’s presidential and parliamentary polls.Woza had marched on Wednesday to highlight the unfairness of talks that only involve politicians who will not be addressing issues of social justice, it said.The group said it wanted to step up pressure for the inclusion of voices in the talks that will raise socio-economic issues that it said were at the heart of ordinary Zimbabweans.Woza says it has a manifesto, dubbed 10 steps to a new Zimbabwe, that it wants considered.The manifesto calls for, among other things, the repeal of stringent press and security laws, the re-engagement of the international community to help repair the economy and create jobs, and new and transparent electoral laws and bodies to ensure fair elections.Sapa-dpaOne group was met by riot police after one block and was beaten and dispersed.The other group managed to march for two blocks before again being met by riot police and beaten, Woza said in the statement.A group of between 15 and twenty people was rounded up and taken to the central police station, it added.Co-ordinator Jenni Williams was also arrested.Several people are being treated for beatings they received at the hands of police, Woza said.Police have not confirmed the arrests.Members of Zimbabwean civil society are demanding inclusion in any talks that take place between President Robert Mugabe’s party and the main opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).In March, South Africa’s Thabo Mbeki was appointed by regional grouping SADC to try to resolve political problems in Zimbabwe following an escalation in political tensions ahead of next year’s presidential and parliamentary polls.Woza had marched on Wednesday to highlight the unfairness of talks that only involve politicians who will not be addressing issues of social justice, it said.The group said it wanted to step up pressure for the inclusion of voices in the talks that will raise socio-economic issues that it said were at the heart of ordinary Zimbabweans.Woza says it has a manifesto, dubbed 10 steps to a new Zimbabwe, that it wants considered.The manifesto calls for, among other things, the repeal of stringent press and security laws, the re-engagement of the international community to help repair the economy and create jobs, and new and transparent electoral laws and bodies to ensure fair elections.Sapa-dpa