The trial of six members of Women of Zimbabwe Arise (Woza), arrested last month and charged for allegedly inscribing graffiti in the western suburbs denouncing the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (Zesa), failed to kick off Thursday after the State indicated it was not yet ready to proceed.
Bulawayo magistrate Gideon Ruvetsa yesterday further postponed the case to July 13 to allow the State to put its papers in order.
The activists are out on $100 bail each. Janet Dube (48), Sibekezela Nkomo (35), Thobekile Ncube (37), Loyce Ndlovu (50), Theresa Phiri (50) and Juliet Nyathi of Iminyela and Pelandaba suburbs were again not formally charged with malicious damage to property when they briefly appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Gideon Ruvetsa.
Charges are that on May 18 at 9pm the six, in the company of three others who are still at large, met at a bus stop in Iminyela suburb.
It is alleged that they connived and agreed to write various messages denouncing Zesa for providing shoddy services.
They went on to inscribe messages on the tarmac in various suburbs and along Khami and Hyde Park roads.
Some of the messages read: “Do not politicise Zesa. Yes to power, lights, pre-paid meters for all. Demonopolise Zesa. Power to poor people. Affordable rates. Better service delivery. No to violence. Woza.”
The activists were arrested by police detectives who were on patrol but three of their alleged accomplices managed to escape.
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The arrest came a week after Woza members demonstrated at Zesa offices in the city centre. Jerry Mutsindikwa appeared for the State.
