The Women of Zimbabwe Arise (Woza) held a demonstration in Bulawayo over the weekend to pressure government to include devolution of power in the new constitution.
In a statement released yesterday, the women’s pressure group threatened more similar demonstrations “until devolution comes”.
At the weekend, hundreds of Woza activists conducted “street occupations” as part of a campaign to push for a devolved system of government to be included in the constitutional draft.
“Woza members occupied traffic- controlled intersections, traffic circles and main roads by sitting in for over 10 minutes bringing traffic to a halt,” the statement said.
“The placard-bearing activists also passed out leaflets calling for a devolved system of government and asking motorists and passers-by to make noise or ‘hoot’ for devolution.
“As talk of a second government of national unity increases, Woza demands an end to elite occupation of our systems of government and a devolved power with accessible provincial government and councils,” the statement read.
“Woza makes the charge that Bulawayo, Matabeleland, is dying because of centralised decisions that kill it.
“The elite have killed Bulawayo and now they are killing other parts of Zimbabwe.”
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Devolution of power has remained one of the outstanding issues stalling completion of the draft constitution.
“And that should include how we want resource distribution to develop the local economy and create jobs for locals,” Woza said.
“The protests will continue and citizens of Bulawayo and other cities are asked to make noise in the street by hooting or whistling to demand the human right to a livelihood.”
Zanu PF has rejected the proposed governance system claiming it would divide the country.
