Hope fading for freedom in Zimbabwe, say activists

"ALL we are fighting for is the freedom to be human beings." This seems to
be a simple request, but for many people living in Zimbabwe hope is slowly
fading away.

Human rights defender and Women of Zimbabwe Arise (Woza) founder Jenni
Williams says she cannot even describe the situation in her country, saying
it is beyond collapsed and the situation is getting worse and worse.

People were dying every day and the cholera epidemic was just the tip of the
iceberg, she said in Port Elizabeth yesterday.

"People are dying because of starvation and Aids. You cannot even get a
painkiller in hospital and many people don't even bother going for medical
help - they suffer in silence."

Williams was visiting with fellow human rights activist Magodonga Mahlangu.
They arrived in Port Elizabeth on Saturday with other delegates to speak to
anti-apartheid activists like Mkhuseli Jack and Janet Cherry.

She said her organisation wanted to interview activists who had managed to
make change in South Africa through non-violent resistance.

"We have learnt a lot from them, specifically on mass mobilisation. We hope
to come back and organise a conference with a bigger delegation," Williams
said.

Despite being arrested 33 times, sometimes for no reason, Williams said in
the end her suffering along with that of millions of Zimbabweans would be
worth it.

The last time she was arrested was in October when she wanted to give an
open letter to SADC leaders. Before that she was arrested in June while
protesting about starvation in the country. She spent six weeks in jail.

"The truth will always come out - you can arrest the person but you can
never arrest the truth," Williams said.

Mahlangu, who has also been arrested, said she could not even describe the
conditions she suffered under while she was detained.

"It is by the grace of God that we are still alive and survived for this
long. There is a reason why we are here. In prison there is no proper food
and the conditions are harsh."

Mahlangu said at first she had been detained in police cells and then made
bail, but in 2004 things had changed when she was sent straight to prison.

"Sometimes we have been protected by the officials themselves because they
know what we stand for. Even the most hardened criminals will give us
support and motivate us," she said.

Williams said she had formed Woza in 2002 after discussions with various
women on issues affecting their day-to-day lives.

"At the end of the day it is the woman who has to feed the children, who
gets beaten up by the husband because he is frustrated and harassed by the
police. We are the ones carrying the burden of the crisis. So we as women
decided to take the lead."

She said Woza had about 70000 members who attended workshops and training.
"We train women on peaceful resistance, their human rights and other issues
that affect them."

The organisation has managed to survive this long because it operates
underground. "Once a woman decides to do something she does it. You know how
women are - they make a plan," Williams said.

Woza did not give preference to the MDC over Zanu-PF, she said.

"If you are make promises to the people you must deliver. This applies to
anyone who wants to govern the country.

"We are also tired of having no government because everything is standing
still. The municipalities are not working. Nothing is functioning."

Both human rights activists will be on trial on January 22, when their fate
will be decided.

"I am doing this for my children. How will they judge me if I sit by and do
nothing? I am a mother and I would do anything to protect my children and my
country, as long as I speak the truth," Williams said.