Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) released!

The final four members of Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) have finally been released from police custody after spending five nights in cells.

In total, 65 members of WOZA were briefly detained in Harare for participating in a peaceful march. But WOZA leaders Jenni Williams, Magodonga Mahlangu and two other organizers remained in custody until the Attorney General's office refused to press charges due to lack of sufficient evidence.

Thank you to everyone who placed calls and sent emails to Zimbabwe officials!

» Read what WOZA had to say about prison conditions in Zimbabwe

» Read more about Women of Zimbabwe Arise

Zimbabwe: Justice for Women

Jenni Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu's lawyers filed a case before the Supreme Court arguing the unconstitutionality of their arrest. The Court heard arguments this June and announced that it would issue a decision later that month, but no written opinion has yet been issued. This lack of action leaves Jenni and Magodonga in legal limbo, though the state is willing to prosecute them as soon as it is able to do so. Williams and Mahlangu appeared before the Magistrate's Court in Bulawayo on October 14, 2009. The trial was once again continued until December 2009, pending the Supreme Court issuance of its written opinion on the constitutionality of their arrests. Meanwhile, Jenni and Magodonga will continue to live under the threat of detention in Zimbabwe's notoriously filthy, cold, overcrowded, and disease-ridden prisons.

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