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When Mugabe stormed out of the Commonwealth nearly 20 years ago the Vigil thought both sides would be happy: Mugabe would have finally escaped British ‘oppression’ and the Commonwealth would be free of a maverick dictator. So it comes as something of a surprise to us that President Mnangagwa is eager to rejoin the organisation, especially since his guides in China and Russia are opposed to the West of which the Commonwealth is a pillar.

NewZimbabwe reports a strong Zimbabwean presence for the Commonwealth’s Heads of Government meeting in Rwanda. It says Zimbabwean ministers, business leaders, students and members of civil society have flocked to Rwanda’s capital Kigali for the meeting. The Zimbabwean Ambassador to Rwanda Charity Manyeruke said the government welcomed as a ‘positive development’ the invitation to attend the meeting. ‘Zimbabwe is excited to be participating in Commonwealth forums as this presents opportunities to network with the international community taking into account the government of Zimbabwe’s policy of engagement and reengagement,’ Manyeruke said.

For his part, the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade David Musabayana said: ‘We are humbled to be invited to attend as observers. We have been engaged on various forums where we are networking. There is a lot of interest in Zimbabwe from Commonwealth member countries who are keen to do business and invest in Zimbabwe.’ He said Zimbabwe’s bid to be readmitted to the Commonwealth was going well.

Before being readmitted Zimbabwe must demonstrate that it complies with the fundamental values set out in the Commonwealth charter, including democracy and rule of law plus protection of human rights such as freedom of expression. The Vigil believes that Zimbabwe falls far short of complying with these values and urges the Commonwealth to take no further moves until after next year’s election, which will no doubt be rigged and hopefully exposed by foreign observers present for the voting (see: https://www.newzimbabwe.com/stong-zimbabwe-presence-in-rwanda-as-harare-eyes-commonwealth-re-admission/).

Mnangagwa appears to be already preparing the ground for further repressive action against the opposition. His latest move has been to accuse the Citizens’ Coalition for Change of stage-managing countrywide acts of political violence. Speaking about the clashes between CCC activists and Zanu PF supporters after the recent murder of opposition member Moreblessing Ali, he said: ‘The nation is now familiar with these shenanigans and incidences of staged violence, which are designed to tarnish the image of Zimbabwe, especially ahead of major international meetings. This time, the destabilising and violent theatrics by opposition elements are being done ahead of the CHOGM meeting in Rwanda. Shame on you if you are the leader of a political party that thrives on violence and the insecurity of our people.’

He went on: ‘The levels and intensity of falsehoods being peddled by some opposition political parties to whip their supporters into orgies of violence, hate and disharmony, is now extremely worrisome and my administration will not stand by and watch. Violence has no place in the Zimbabwe we are building. We want peace, love and harmony.’ (See: https://bulawayo24.com/index-id-news-sc-national-byo-220549.html.)

Mnangagwa did not comment on Zimbabwean nurses being beaten by riot police for joining a nationwide strike by health workers demanding a living wage and complaining of poor working conditions. The Zimbabwe Nurses Association president Enoch Dongo condemned the police action as barbaric and deplorable but national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said he was unaware of the incident.

The nurses were apparently angry over remarks by the Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube that there was no crisis in the country and that everything is well – so well that annual inflation rate this month rose to 191.6% (see: https://www.newsday.co.zw/2022/06/police-beat-up-striking-nurses/).

Other points

• Our virtual Vigil activists today were Joyce Mbairatsunga and Enniah Dube  who both kindly contributed to Vigil funds. See: https://www.flickr.com/photos/zimbabwevigil/albums/72177720300081706 for today’s photos.
• For Vigil pictures check: http://www.flickr.com/photos/zimbabwevigil/. Please note: Vigil photos can only be downloaded from our Flickr website.

Events and Notices:

• Next ROHR Meeting. Saturday 2^nd July at 11 am.
• Next Vigil meeting outside the Zimbabwe  Embassy. Saturday 2^nd July from 2 – 5 pm. We will continue meeting on the first and third Saturdays of every month. On other Saturdays we will continue the virtual Vigil.
• The Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe (ROHR) is the Vigil’s partner organisation based in Zimbabwe. ROHR grew out of the need for the Vigil to have an organisation on the ground in Zimbabwe which reflected the Vigil’s mission statement in a practical way. ROHR in the UK actively fundraises through membership subscriptions, events, sales etc to support the activities of ROHR in Zimbabwe. Please note that the official website of ROHR Zimbabwe is http://www.rohrzimbabwe.org/. Any other website claiming to be the official website of ROHR in no way represents us.
• The Vigil’s book ‘Zimbabwe Emergency’ is based on our weekly diaries. It records how events in Zimbabwe have unfolded as seen by the diaspora in the UK. It chronicles the economic disintegration, violence, growing oppression and political manoeuvring – and the tragic human cost involved. It is available at the Vigil. All proceeds go to the Vigil and our sister organisation the Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe’s work in Zimbabwe. The book is also available from Amazon.
• Facebook pages :

Vigil : https ://www.facebook.com/zimbabwevigil

         ROHR: https://www.facebook.com/Restoration-of-Human-Rights-ROHR-Zimbabwe-International-370825706588551/

         ZAF: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Zimbabwe-Action-Forum-ZAF/490257051027515

https://www.flickr.com/photos/zimbabwevigil/52157392711/sizes/m/

President Mnangagwa has made it clear that only his Zanu PF will rule Zimbabwe. Speaking at a meeting in Kwekwe, he said: ‘Zanu PF liberated the country and therefore it is the only party which must govern.’ (See: https://bulawayo24.com/index-id-news-sc-local-byo-220151.html.)

The message could not have been clearer and its implications quickly became apparent with a renewed crackdown on opposition supporters, prompting Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition Chair Peter Mutasa to say: ‘There is need for the Southern African Development Community to intervene in the Zimbabwean crisis before it goes out of hand.’ (See: https://bulawayo24.com/index-id-opinion-sc-columnist-byo-220285.html.)

The brutal murder of an opposition CCC supporter Moreblessing Ali has received wide coverage. Her dismembered body was found in a well several weeks after she was abducted. Zanu PF supporters are said to have ran amok at Moreblessing’s funeral wake, ccahasing relatives away (see: https://www.newzimbabwe.com/breaking-drama-as-zanu-pf-thugs-abduct-20-chamisa-supporters-at-moreblessing-ali-funeral-chase-relatives-away/).

The CCC leader Nelson Chamisa said: ‘This is a very bad indication for the elections in 2023. The dark clouds of violence are gathering.’ (See: https://apnews.com/article/politics-africa-zimbabwe-southern-harare-ea0055f52f6b27a6649751a3d2a76ce9.) Police have arrested the alleged killer, identified as Pius Jamba.

They say they have not found any political link in the killing and the Zanu PF political commissar Mike Bimha said the murder suspect was not part of his party’s structures. He accused CCC of staging acts of violence to court international attention (see: https://www.newsday.co.zw/2022/06/moreblessing-ali-murder-suspect-not-in-our-structures-zanu-pf/).

This murky affair has still to be resolved but Lucia Masuka of Amnesty International Zimbabwe said: ‘“Abductions are being fuelled by impunity of perpetrators. Authorities must do more to ensure Zimbabwe breaks this cycle of killings and abductions and impunity associated with it. Authorities must ensure access to justice and effective remedies for victims and their families.’ (See: https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2022/06/zimbabwe-authorities-must-do-more-to-stop-culture-of-abductions/.)

On the international front, the conviction of the New York Times freelance reporter Geoffrey Moyo for breaking Zimbabwe’s immigration laws, has been given wide coverage. Angela Quintal, Africa coordinator for the Committee to Protect Journalists, said in a statement that the conviction is ‘a monumental travesty of justice and shows how far press freedom has deteriorated in Zimbabwe.’ (See: https://www.thezimbabwean.co/2022/06/cpj-condemns-conviction-of-new-york-times-freelance-journalist-jeffrey-moyo-in-zimbabwe/.)

Moyo was accused of obtaining false credentials for two Times journalists who visited Zimbabwe last year. He was fined Zim$200,000 (about US$615) and given a two-year suspended jail sentence. This could be enforced if he is convicted of a similar offence in the next five years. Moyo said he had ‘only followed the lawful procedure in trying to get accreditation for my colleagues’. He obtained press cards for the journalists from the state regulated Zimbabwe Media Commission but three days later an immigration officer cancelled them, claiming the accreditation was fraudulent and the journalists were ordered to leave the country. Moyo was arrested along with the official who issued the cards.

If President Mnangagwa really hopes to be accepted by the West he should consider the effect of the New York Times account of this judicial travesty. The paper’s publisher,  A G Sulzberger said: ‘We are deeply troubled that Jeffrey Moyo, a respected Zimbabwean journalist, was convicted of a crime for his routine work on behalf of The New York Times. Based on the lack of evidence in this case, we believe clearly it was brought to interfere with our reporting.’

The paper noted: ‘Mr. Mnangagwa promised a “new Zimbabwe” when he came to power after the coup that ousted Mr. Mugabe. Promising a break from years of crushing authoritarian rule and spiralling economic decline, he vowed to create jobs, introduce democratic reforms and reverse the government’s dismal human rights record. Five years on, many Zimbabweans say the situation has only gotten worse. Millions are unemployed, inflation is running at 132 percent, and the currency is collapsing. Fuel stations and some shops demand payment in United States dollars. Experts fear a return to the hyperinflation that ravaged Zimbabwe in the late 2000s.’ See: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/14/world/africa/zimbabwe-trial-reporter-new-york-times.html.)

Other points

• Thanks to the valiant ROHR members who walked 13 miles from Leytonstone station to the Vigil at the Zimbabwe Embassy. The aim was to raise funds for voter registration mobilisation and education to ensure all eligible citizens exercise their right to vote without fear or manipulation to help ensure free, fair and credible elections in Zimbabwe. The walkers were: Enniah Dube, Patrick Hale, Simbarashe Jingo, Charles Mararirakwenda, Patricia Masamba, Locadia Meda, Margaret Munenge, Esther  Munyira, Tapiwanashe Muti and Ephraim Tapa. Walkers report that the walk went very well and they felt really encouraged by the solidarity given by a Chinese lady and another of Nigerian origin who walked with them the full distance. They expressed a unique passion for human rights whilst showing great interest in Zimbabwe. Along the way, motorists and bus drivers hooted in support whilst pedestrians would stop to ask questions or voice their support. Overall, the walk brought a lot of attention to the Zimbabwe situation as well as rekindling interest. All participants felt that this was a noble cause that needed doing as often as could be to awaken the world to the very difficult human rights and political situation in Zimbabwe. For now, they all felt satisfied that a lot had been achieved and that Zimbabwe deserved better. Thanks to Esther who contributed £20 for refreshments. For contributions to the fundraising: https://www.gofundme.com/f/free-fair-and-credible-election-in-zimbabwe?utm_campaign=p_lico+share-sheet&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=customer. For photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/zimbabwevigil/albums/72177720299887947.
• The Vigil met outside the Embassy today. For the moment we are meeting on the 1^st and 3^rd Saturdays of the month. There will be a virtual Vigil on the other Saturdays. Thanks to those who came today: Enniah Dube, Patrick Hale, Simbarashe Jingo, Charles Mararirakwenda, Patricia Masamba, Joyce Mbairatsunga, Locadia Meda, Margaret Munenge, Esther Munyira, Tapiwanashe Muti, Ephraim Tapa, Kevin Wheeldon and Rose Benton. For photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/zimbabwevigil/albums/72177720299909027.
• For Vigil pictures check: http://www.flickr.com/photos/zimbabwevigil/. Please note: Vigil photos can only be downloaded from our Flickr website.

Events and Notices:

• Next ROHR Meeting. Saturday 2^nd July at 11 am.
• Next Vigil meeting outside the Zimbabwe  Embassy. Saturday 2^nd July from 2 – 5 pm. We will continue meeting on the first and third Saturdays of every month. On other Saturdays we will continue the virtual Vigil.
• The Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe (ROHR) is the Vigil’s partner organisation based in Zimbabwe. ROHR grew out of the need for the Vigil to have an organisation on the ground in Zimbabwe which reflected the Vigil’s mission statement in a practical way. ROHR in the UK actively fundraises through membership subscriptions, events, sales etc to support the activities of ROHR in Zimbabwe. Please note that the official website of ROHR Zimbabwe is http://www.rohrzimbabwe.org/. Any other website claiming to be the official website of ROHR in no way represents us.
• The Vigil’s book ‘Zimbabwe Emergency’ is based on our weekly diaries. It records how events in Zimbabwe have unfolded as seen by the diaspora in the UK. It chronicles the economic disintegration, violence, growing oppression and political manoeuvring – and the tragic human cost involved. It is available at the Vigil. All proceeds go to the Vigil and our sister organisation the Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe’s work in Zimbabwe. The book is also available from Amazon.
• Facebook pages :

Vigil : https ://www.facebook.com/zimbabwevigil

         ROHR: https://www.facebook.com/Restoration-of-Human-Rights-ROHR-Zimbabwe-International-370825706588551/

         ZAF: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Zimbabwe-Action-Forum-ZAF/490257051027515