PUBLIC AI Index: AFR 46/023/2008

4 July 2008

Further Information on UA 153/08 (AFR 46/016/2008, 02 June 2008) – Torture and ill-treatment/ harassment

ZIMBABWE Jenni Williams (f)

Magodonga Mahlangu (f) leaders of the Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA)

Jenni Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu, the leaders of the activist organisation Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) were granted bail on 3 July by the High Court. They had spent nearly six weeks in detention at Chikurubi Maximum Prison in Harare. They were arrested after engaging in peaceful protest against state-sponsored violence. The other 11 women and one man who were arrested with them were released on bail on 11 June by the High Court, but Jenni and Magodonga were denied bail.

The activists are all being charged with ‘distributing materials likely to cause a breach of the peace,’ under Section 37 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act. Jenni Williams has a further charge against her for ‘publishing or communicating false statements prejudicial to the State’ under Section 31 of the same Act. They will appear again in court on 17 July.

No further action is requested from the UA network. Amnesty International will continue campaigning on the women's behalf through other means. Many thanks to all who sent appeals.