Last Friday a Bulawayo magistrate Charity Maphosa, who had on Tuesday reserved judgement on the matter, failed to arrive because she was 'attending a workshop'. Another magistrate, Sophie Matimba, took over the case that Friday but delayed the ruling until Monday. Magistrate Maphosa was back this Monday and again denied bail to the pair, claiming that it would 'not be in the best interest of justice'.

WOZA believes this is a purely political ruling. The group's spokesperson Annie Sibanda said despite the two being removed off remand on previous cases involving protest marches, the State insists they still have other cases pending.

In denying them bail, magistrate Maphosa stated that because the two WOZA leaders had 'pending' cases it was likely that they would commit similar offences again. She made note of the volatile political climate gripping the country saying 'people are easily excitable' and could be moved to violence if they saw such demonstrations.

Annie Sibanda said: "The latter statement (by the magistrate) is actually the crux of the matter. It comes down to the fact that ZANU PF does not want people on the streets demonstrating and claiming their constitutional rights."

The WOZA women have been at the forefront of peaceful protests in Zimbabwe. WOZA says the continued denial of bail for their leaders is an indication that nothing has changed in Zimbabwe, despite the political leaders signing a power sharing deal pledging to end the crisis and the suffering in Zimbabwe.

Since the deal was signed last month the humanitarian crisis in Zimbabwe has reached alarming proportions with the Zimbabwe dollar crashing spectacularly and shops no longer accepting payment in local currency.

Dozens of hungry and frustrated protestors, mostly women, were arrested in Harare on Monday. The arrests took place as regional leaders converged in Harare to try and break the political impasse.