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You must hand it to the Mugabes – they know how to party. No expense spared. No distance too far to travel. No diamond ring too big. No guilt. No conscience. In fact, no hypocrisy because they don’t understand the word. To them it’s entitlement.

It was the sense of entitlement that reeked more than the smell of mbanje from the luxury apartment in the affluent Sandton area of Johannesburg from which Mugabe’s party-loving sons Robert Jnr and Chatunga Bellamine were evicted after a late night brawl over women which left one of their guards with a broken leg and shattered arm and the apartment trashed with cigarette burns, whisky, champagne and red wine-soiled carpets.

One source quoted by the Zimbabwe Independent said the boys lived ‘a carefree life of luxury, partying and over-indulgence. Their driver would wait dutifully on call in one of the luxury vehicles, often sleeping there, awaiting a command to drive them to wherever they wanted. It was rarely the case that Robert Jnr emerged for morning lectures which he was supposed to attend at the University of Johannesburg’.

Money never seems to be a problem with the lucky Mugabe family. Zimbabwe may be rated poor by some misguided Western critics but for the Mugabes it has always been a land of milk and honey. The President himself, continuing his neurotic attempts to escape the country, spent $4,588,990 on travel in January, $ 4,250,630 in February and $4,119,638 in March – $13 million in the last 3 months for which data is available (see: http://www.zimbabwesituation.com/news/zimsit-m-chefs-blow-14m-in-three-months/). Not bad for a 93 year-old who can hardly walk.

Where does the money come from? One well-informed observer says the diaspora provides as much as a third of Zimbabwe’s income, with minerals and tobacco providing the rest. So Mugabe and his grotesque family are basically having a non-stop party at the diaspora’s expense.

The Constitutional Court’s refusal this week to recognise the diaspora vote provided for in the yet-to-be implemented 2013 Constitution and the massive irregularities exposed in last week’s Chiwundura by-election confront the diaspora with an uncomfortable challenge. Should we choke off what amounts to our funding of the regime?

As the Zimbabwean diaspora becomes acculturated in their new countries, bonds with home will inevitably weaken. One instance: it used to be routine at the Vigil to collect money to help pay for the repatriation of the bodies of Zimbabweans who had died in the UK. Now more and more people are being buried here instead – their new homeland, where their children are going to school.

Another sign of change is the mounting impatience with the insatiable demands being made on the diaspora by their families back home. It’s no longer just money for food, medicine and school fees: it’s computers and high end telephones when most Zimbabweans in the diaspora work long hours just to survive themselves – perhaps giving a too positive view of their situation to loved ones back in Zimbabwe. And, as a pastor in the Bulawayo area tells us, there is widespread jealousy of people who receive support from abroad (see: http://zimvigil.co.uk/vigil-news/campaign-news/870-interview-with-matabeleland-pastor).

We at the Vigil expect Zanu PF to manipulate the elections next year and we expect the bogus results to be endorsed by Africa and the outside world as usual. So what do we do next: can we cut we cut off diaspora funding for Mugabe’s non-stop party? What alternative is there if we are to save Zimbabwe from Zanu PF?

Thanks
Thanks to those who arrived early to help set up: Abigail Chidavayenzi, Flemming Diza, Sibongile Gumbo, Isabell Gwatidzo, Deborah Harry, Josephine Jombe, Jonathan Kariwo, Fungayi Mabhunu, Shiella Matiza, Erica Mukosha, Roseline Mukucha, Alfredy Mukuvare, Margaret Munenge, Richard Munyama, Charles Mupawose, Patience Muyeye and Benjamin Semwayo. Thanks to Roseline, Josephine and Patience for looking after the front table, to Abigail, Deborah and Bianca for handing out flyers and selling wristbands and to Alfredy, Jonathan, Charles, Flemming, Ndodana Maphosa and Fungayi for putting up the banners. Thanks also to Isabell Gwatidzo for selling tickets for the ROHR Slough branch fundraiser dinner in aid of ZimPAP. 

For latest Vigil pictures check: http://www.flickr.com/photos/zimbabwevigil/. Please note: Vigil photos can only be downloaded from our Flickr website. The facebook page for our sister organisation Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe (ROHR) (https://www.facebook.com/ROHR-Zimbabwe-Restoration-of-Human-Rights-301811392835) has been hijacked by destructive elements from a group calling itself ZHRO. Please be advised that any postings on this page are not posted by ROHR.

FOR THE RECORD: 32 signed the register.

EVENTS AND NOTICES:

• ROHR Slough branch fundraiser. Saturday 29^th July from 17.30 – 23.30. Come and share an all-you-can-eat buffet. Tickets: £25 adults, £10 children 5-12 yrs, £15 13-17 yrs. Venue: Zaza’s Restaurant, 108A Whitechapel Rd, London E1 1JE. Contact Patricia Masamba (Chair) 07708116625, Casper Nyamakura  (Fundraiser) 07577666912. Nkosinkona Tshabangu (Vice Chair) 07539658455 and Fungisai Mupandira (Organising Secretary) 07468504393
• ROHR National Executive meeting. Saturday 5^th August from 11 am. Venue: The Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX.
• The Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe (ROHR) is the Vigil’s partner organization based in Zimbabwe. ROHR grew out of the need for the Vigil to have an organization 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.
• Zimbabwe Action Forum. Saturday 5^th August from 6.30 pm. Venue: The Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX. We will move to the RFH at the end of the Vigil at 6 pm.
• ZAF meets regularly after the Vigil to discuss ways to help those back in Zimbabwe to fight oppression and achieve true democracy.
• Swaziland Vigil. Saturday 5^th August from 10 am to 1 pm outside the Swaziland High Commission, 20 Buckingham Gate, London SW1E 6LB.
• Zimbabwe Yes We Can Movement holds meetings in London as the political face of ROHR and the Vigil.
• Zimbabwe Vigil Highlights 2016 can be viewed on this link: http://www.zimvigil.co.uk/vigil-news/campaign-news/843-zimbabwe-vigil-highlights-2016. Links to previous years’ highlights are listed on 2016 Highlights page.
• 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

Fears of violence are growing as the 2018 elections approach. The fears are especially acute in rural areas such as Gutu West constituency, where a local NGO reports that Zanu PF intimidation has triggered panic in the entire community. 

Villagers says a former chief, George Chivhande Serima, now a Zanu PF ward chairman, has warned them of severe punishment if they support opposition parties. People are being ordered to submit their names and national registration details to village heads.

MDC MP Eddie Cross says: ‘the entire rural population is living under a regime of terror built up over many years by the Zanu PF party. The level of intimidation and control is extraordinary and includes beatings, targeted abductions, rape, threats, the use of traditional leaders and threats of expulsion from their homes. It includes close supervision of voting and collective punishment for communities or villages who are known to support, in any way, the opposition.’

The MDC said teams had been deployed from the Registrar General’s office to conduct voter registration ahead of the legal voter registration process by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission. MDC presidential spokesman Luke Tamborinyoka said: ‘While debate rages over the contentious Biometric Voter Registration exercise and the ZEC’s decision to prejudice the MDC by earmarking fewer registration centres in the urban areas, perceived to be opposition strongholds, it has emerged that Zanu PF has already clandestinely begun its own parallel voter registration exercise.’

The Zimbabwe Human Rights Association expressed grave concern over the rise in political conflict in the country and said ‘political developments should be taken seriously by the international community to avert a slide into more violence’. 

The new British Minister for Africa Rory Stewart has expressed ‘deep distaste at the horrifying record of the Mugabe regime’. He was replying to a question in Parliament about British policy in Zimbabwe asked by the Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Zimbabwe Kate Hoey: ‘Mugabe spent $53 million on private travel overseas last year. At the same time, the United Kingdom is paying proportionately more in aid to that country than to any other country in Africa. Does the Minister think that, with the elections coming next year and Mugabe refusing to implement the 2013 constitution, now is the time to put some of that money into helping voter education in those rural areas controlled by ZANU-PF, or we will not have free and fair elections?’ Mr Stewart said he agreed with her that focusing on free and fair elections was one of the most important things Britain could do for Zimbabwe.

The reports of voter intimidation justify the Vigil’s efforts, in conjunction with other human rights groups, to see civilian peacekeepers set up in rural areas to educate people in their constitutional rights and counter fear.

Other points

• Vigil co-ordinator Fungayi Mabhunu was interviewed by Voice of America about the attempts in Zimbabwe to form an opposition coalition. He said this was irrelevant as the election outcome was already being rigged. He said opposition politicians were primarily interested in their jobs and the possibility of getting posts in a new government of national unity.  Fungayi said the Vigil believed the answer lay in a transitional authority overseen by the UN. You can hear Fungayi on Voice of America’s live talk programme, check: https://www.voazimbabwe.com/a/3941507.html. His interview starts about 40 minutes into the programme.
• People were being encouraged to attend ROHR Slough branch’s fundraising dinner on Saturday 29^th July. It will be held at Zaza’s restaurant in Whitechapel Road in London and participants will enjoy an all-you-can-eat buffet. Full details can be seen in our ‘Events and Notices’.
• Thanks to those who came early to help set up: Abigail Chidavayenzi, Daizy Fabian, Jonathan Kariwo, Fungayi Mabhunu, Gloria Mabika, Chido Makawa, Heather Makawa, Patricia Masamba, Cephas Maswoswa, Roseline Mukucha, Alfredy Mukuvare, Margaret Munenge, Esther Munyira, Sipho Ndlovu, Cecilliah Phiri, Rumbidzayi Sambana, Maxmus Savanhu, Michael Sirewu, Farai Tanyanyiwa and Nkosinkona Tshabangu.  Thanks to Roseline, Esther and Cathrine Musa for looking after the front table, to Abigail and Nancy Makurira for handing out flyers and selling wristbands and to Alfredy, Jonathan, Maxmus, Farai, Cephas and Nkosinkona for putting up the banners.
  
• Our condolences to Vigil activist Michelle Makoni who lost her father in Zimbabwe. A collection was made for her.
  

For latest Vigil pictures check: http://www.flickr.com/photos/zimbabwevigil/. Please note: Vigil photos can only be downloaded from our Flickr website. The facebook page for our sister organisation Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe (ROHR) (https://www.facebook.com/ROHR-Zimbabwe-Restoration-of-Human-Rights-301811392835) has been hijacked by destructive elements from a group calling itself ZHRO. Please be advised that any postings on this page are not posted by ROHR.

FOR THE RECORD: 43 signed the register.

EVENTS AND NOTICES:

• Zimbabwe Action Forum (ZAF). Saturday 22^nd July from 6.30 pm. Venue: The Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX. We will move to the RFH at the end of the Vigil at 6 pm.
• Zimbabwe Action Forum (ZAF) meets regularly after the Vigil to discuss ways to help those back in Zimbabwe to fight oppression and achieve true democracy.
• Swaziland Vigil. Saturday 22^nd July from 10 am to 1 pm outside the Swaziland High Commission, 20 Buckingham Gate, London SW1E 6LB.
• ROHR Slough branch fundraiser. Saturday 29^th July from 17.30 – 23.30. Come and share an all-you-can-eat buffet. Tickets: £25 adults, £10 children 5-12 yrs, £15 13-17 yrs. Venue: Zaza’s Restaurant, 108A Whitechapel Rd, London E1 1JE. Contact Patricia Masamba (Chair) 07708116625, Casper Nyamakura  (Fundraiser) 07577666912. Nkosinkona Tshabangu (Vice Chair) 07539658455 and Fungisai Mupandira (Organising Secretary) 07468504393
• ROHR National Executive meeting. Saturday 5^th August from 11 am. Venue: The Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX.
• The Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe (ROHR) is the Vigil’s partner organization based in Zimbabwe. ROHR grew out of the need for the Vigil to have an organization 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.
• Zimbabwe Yes We Can Movement holds meetings in London as the political face of ROHR and the Vigil.
• Zimbabwe Vigil Highlights 2016 can be viewed on this link: http://www.zimvigil.co.uk/vigil-news/campaign-news/843-zimbabwe-vigil-highlights-2016. Links to previous years’ highlights are listed on 2016 Highlights page.
• 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