BULAWAYO - Police in Bulawayo on Thursday briefly detained Women of Zimbabwe Arise (Woza) leaders Jenni Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu.

Their lawyer Kossam Ncube of Ncube and Partners law firm said Williams and Mahlangu were held in connection with street demonstrations demanding a new constitution in Bulawayo and Harare early this week.

They were picked up by police while taking a walk in Bulawayo city centre and taken to Bulawayo Central Police Station where they were detained for more than three hours.

“They took them to Bulawayo Central Police Station claiming that they had a directive from their commanders to arrest the two. Some overzealous junior police officers spotted my two clients taking a walk in the city centre and arrested them.”

On Tuesday over 200 Woza activists marched in Harare demanding dates for a Second All-stakeholdersConference and referendum. They also held similar protests in Bulawayo on Monday.

Williams told journalists during the protest that Zimbabweans have been too patient with the entire constitution-making process and it was high time a constitutional referendum was held. - Pindai Dube