The MDC Alliance Assembly of Women notes with great concern the recent hunting down, arbitrary arrests, abductions and torture of its leaders across the country ahead of the July 31 demonstrations.

We noticed a massive wave of human rights abuses on our leaders and other female activists by security agents of a failed and clueless state. We would like to categorically state that these, and no other amount of abuses will erase the fact that our government officials including Emmerson Mnangagwa have destroyed our country through corruption.

They are busy looting Covid-19 funds and abusing state funds through shoddy deals that only benefit themselves and their families while the rest of the people are wallowing in poverty.

The health delivery system is malfunctioning – with doctors and nurses on strike.

The bond notes and RTGS dollar are now valueless. Prices of basic commodities are beyond the reach of many and it is women who bear the brunt and it is against this background that the Assembly of Women denounces such kinds of inhuman acts and arresting them or torturing them will neither silence us nor solve the problems.

Before, on and after the 31st of July, we saw the arrest and torture of Bulawayo Provincial Chairlady, Mrs Tendai L Masotsha, our National Spokesperson Ms Fadzai Mahere, Our National Chairlady Hon Muchirairwa Mugidho, Hon Linnet Mazingaidzo, some civil society leaders Tsitsi Dangarembwa, Namatai Kwekweza and other leaders within our structures.

Whilst others have been released and charged with fake and dubious charges, we demand the release of our Chair Hon Mugidho who is locked up at Chiredzi Police Station. We denounce these abuses in toto and reiterate that women’s rights are human rights and the government must respect that and protect the women instead of harassing them. Women constitute 52% of the population and their voices must be heard.

We say No to gender based violence. We say no to police brutality.

We say no to arbitrary arrests. We will not keep quiet as long as we are not able to fend for our children, as long as we are not able to buy sanitary pads.

As the Assembly of Women, we would like to put it on record that we will speak out for the restoration of our dignity.
Wathinthu’mama, Wathintimbokodo!!!!*

Barbara Gwangwara- Tanyanyiwa
Spokesperson –
Assembly of Women
2/8/2020