Court orders release of women protestors

Court orders release of women protestors

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By Agencies

A ZIMBABWE court on Friday ordered the release without charge of 46 women who were arrested earlier this week for staging a protest march between the second city of Bulawayo and Harare, a lawyer said.

Seven others, including prominent activist Jenni Williams, who were arrested on Wednesday in Harare, have yet to make a court appearance.

"They have been released. The magistrate ruled that there was no basis for them to answer those charges," lawyer Chipo Hama said by phone from Chegutu, the small town where the women were arrested on Tuesday.

The women staged a march of more than 400km to protest a proposed law on banning foreign human rights group and cutting off funding to groups promoting rights and democracy.

Police arrested the 46 women on Tuesday in Chegutu, about 100km southwest of the capital, for violating the tough security laws, notably "disturbing the peace, security or order of the public".

Their colleagues, who pressed on to the capital, were arrested on arrival.

Police said the protesters had failed to obtain permission for the protest march as required under the country's security laws. - Sapa-AFP
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