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Mugabe wheeled in to Vigil: Zimbabwe Vigil Diary – 9th April 2011 |
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Written by Administrator
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Sunday, 10 April 2011 16:30 |
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Vigil supporters were encouraged by indications of a change of attitude to Mugabe by SADC leaders meeting in Zambia. It seems to have suddenly dawned on them that he represents the past and not the future. Have they been given the jitters by what is happening in North and West Africa – or (more far-fetched) by the Vigil’s renewed campaign for penalties against SADC leaders supporting Mugabe? Mugabe’s arrival by ‘golf cart’ at the Livingstone meeting with a huge entourage of 60 (including a large medical team) clearly exposed both his increasing frailty and the big-man arrogance of Zanu PF. (Zuma was accompanied by only 12 people.) The Vigil welcomes signs that President Zuma is now taking seriously SADC’s commitment to ensure free and fair elections in Zimbabwe – and that regional leaders are alive to the danger of the Zanu PF thugocracy spreading its recidivist poison throughout southern Africa. We believe they are right to be fearful of a violent, corrupt, unrepresentative and paranoid regime, which is looting Zimbabwe’s potential for sustainable economic growth by selling out to China. Now that SADC leaders have been subjected to the vitriol spewing out of the Harare cesspit we hope they will be prepared for the next stage – how to confront Zanu PF’s delaying tactics and arbitrary moves. As the Vigil has repeatedly warned, Zanu PF never changes: it always resorts to the same primitive but successful strategies of violence and vote rigging. As we gathered outside the Embassy to laugh at the two million people anti-sanctions petition, we wondered when SADC would have to apply their own sanctions against Zanu PF . . . The Vigil management team met before the Vigil to review our position. It was agreed there was a need to stress that the Vigil and ZBN news are separate organisations (see our explanation below in ‘Events and Notices’). Among other matters, we revamped the Vigil management team and agreed to invite Josephine Zhuga to join. We are happy to say she agreed. She spends every week on the front desk interacting with passers-by. Other points
· We have been invited by Action for Southern Africa (ACTSA) to join them outside the Zimbabwe Embassy in a ‘Stop the Violence in Zimbabwe’ Vigil on Zimbabwean Independence Day, Monday 18th April. We are encouraging everyone to come. ACTSA will be handing in an anniversary card (which will include the Vigil’s logo) to the Zimbabwe Ambassador. The card reads “Today, on the 31st anniversary of Zimbabwe’s independence, we pay tribute to those who fought, suffered and sacrificed for the liberation of the country. That struggle was for democracy, rights and justice. This is why we are here today; to support democracy, rights and justice for Zimbabwe. We condemn the violence and harassment perpetrated against the people of Zimbabwe, including political and civil society activists, trade unionists and especially women by the institutions of the state, militias and those in and linked to Zanu PF. We urge you to pass on our calls for an immediate end to the violence, adherence to the SADC principles for free and fair elections and for democracy, justice and rights for the people of Zimbabwe now.” Please see ‘Events and Notices’ for more details.
· A Zimbabwean reported that he had attempted to visit the Zimbabwe Embassy on normal business on Friday only to find it again closed. He wonders if it is ever open to anyone but the CIO. One Vigil supporter commented that it was just the CIO dormitory.
· Thanks to Fungayi Mabhunu for playing the role of Mugabe arriving at the Vigil on a municipal bicycle propped up by Godfrey Madzunga and Ronald Nxumalo. For latest Vigil pictures check: http://www.flickr.com/photos/zimbabwevigil/. For the latest ZimVigil TV programme check http://www.zimvigiltv.com/. FOR THE RECORD: 146 signed the register. EVENTS AND NOTICES:
· 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.
· ZBN News. The Zimbabwe Vigil management team wish to make it clear that the Zimbabwe Vigil is not responsible for Zimbabwe Broadcasting Network News (ZBN News). We are happy that they attend our activities and provide television coverage but we have no control over them. All enquiries about ZBN News should be addressed to Dr Tim Rusike.
· The Zim Vigil band (Farai Marema and Dumi Tutani) has launched its theme song ‘Vigil Yedu (our Vigil)’ to raise awareness through music. To download this single, visit website: www.imusicafrica.com.
· ROHR Manchester meetings. Saturday 16th April: (committee meeting from 11 am – 1 pm, general meeting from 2 – 5 pm). Venue: The Salvation Army Citadel, 71 Grosvenor Road, Manchester M13 9UB. Contact: Delina Tafadzwa Mutyambizi 07775313637, Chamunorwa Chihota 07799446404, Panyika Karimanzira 07551062161, Artwell Pfende 07886839353, Charles Nenguke 07925146757, P Mapfumo 07915926323/07932216070 or P Chibanguza 07908406069. Future meeting: 14th May. Same times and venue.
· ROHR Liverpool general meeting. Saturday 16th April from 2.30 – 5.30 pm. Venue: Kensington Methodist Church, 294 Kensington, Liverpool L7 2RN. ROHR President, national executive members present. A well-known immigration lawyer available to talk about the new country guidance ruling. Contact Anywhere Mungoyo 07939913688, Netsai Karota 07767483180, Sheilla Mironga 07578541227 or P Mapfumo 07915926323/07932216070.
· ‘Stop the Violence in Zimbabwe’ Vigil. Monday 18th April outside the Zimbabwe Embassy, 429 Strand WC2. The protest, on Zimbabwean Independence Day, has been organized by Action for Southern African (ACTSA) who has invited the Vigil to join them. ACTSA will be protesting from 1 – 2 pm but the Vigil will be there from 12 noon – 3 pm. Check: http://www.actsa.org/page-1028-Events.html for more details.
· ROHR Newcastle general meeting. Saturday 23rd April from 2 – 6 pm. Venue: Warwick Court, Warwick Street, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear NE8 1EY. 3 mins walk from the Gateshead Interchange opposite Gateshead Civic Centre and Gateshead Police Station. Free parking available. Contact Susan Ndlovu 07767024586, Allen Chamboko 07500246416, Kuda Derera 07411337933, Rugare Chifungo (Coordinator) 07795070609
· ROHR Manchester Vigil. Saturday 30th April from 2 – 5 pm. Venue: Cathedral Gardens, Manchester City Centre (subject to change to Piccadilly Gardens). Contact: Delina Tafadzwa Mutyambizi 07775313637, Chamunorwa Chihota 07799446404, Panyika Karimanzira 07551062161, Artwell Pfende 07886839353, Charles Nenguke 07925146757, P Mapfumo 07915926323/07932216070 or P Chibanguza 07908406069. Future demonstration: 28th May. Same time and venue.
· Vigil Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=8157345519&ref=ts.
· Vigil Myspace page: http://www.myspace.com/zimbabwevigil.
· ‘Through the Darkness’, Judith Todd’s acclaimed account of the rise of Mugabe. To receive a copy by post in the UK please email confirmation of your order and postal address to
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
and 0send a cheque for £10 payable to “Budiriro Trust” to Emily Chadburn, 15 Burners Close, Burgess Hill, West Sussex RH15 0QA. All proceeds go to the Budiriro Trust which provides bursaries to needy A Level students in Zimbabwe
· Workshops aiming to engage African men on HIV testing and other sexual health issues. Organised by the Terrence Higgins Trust (www.tht.org.uk). Please contact the co-ordinator Takudzwa Mukiwa (
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
) if you are interested in taking part. |
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Mugabe has no clothes – Zimbabwe Vigil Diary – 2nd April 2011 |
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Written by Administrator
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Sunday, 03 April 2011 14:38 |
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The Vigil celebrated the imminent ousting of another illegal president – Laurent Gbagbo of Ivory Coast – whose clinging to power after losing the election last November has cost countless lives. Gbagbo’s poisonous legacy – like Mugabe’s – will blight his country for many years. But. mercifully, the victorious President Alassane Ouattara was not persuaded to accept the discredited Kenya / Zimbabwe model where the election winner is coerced into playing second fiddle to the incumbent loser – with the disastrous result we have seen in Zimbabwe. As Ouattara's forces closed in on Gbagbo in Abidjan, Vigil supporters played the West African drama out in front of the Zimbabwe Embassy in London. Fungayi Mabhunu, wearing our Mugabe mask, welcomed his Ivorian friend with the poster ‘Zimbabwe – world of wonders: Mugabe, Mariam, Gbagbo? Gaddafi?’ Three people wearing devil masks (played by Rashiwe Bayisayi, Itayi Mawunga and Busi Ngwenya) accompanied Gbagbo (played by Stanford Munetsi) who bore on his back the poster ‘G’bye G’bye G’bagbo’. Trailing behind the former Ivorian President was another Mugabe ally – Libya’s Colonel Gaddafi – played by Paul Mathema in Arab robes. He managed to convey the dilemma of the Libyan monster on whether to join Ethiopia’s ousted President Mariam and his other pals in Zimbabwe. The resolution of the Ivory Coast impasse will hopefully allow African attention to focus a bit more on Zimbabwe. The Vigil was encouraged by reports from the meeting in Livingstone of the SADC Troika called to discuss the Zimbabwe crisis. The Troika appears to have showed some impatience with Mugabe’s propaganda. Zambian President Banda warned: ‘if there is anything that we must learn from the upheavals going on in the northern part of our continent, it is that the legitimate expectations of the citizens of our countries cannot be taken for granted. We must therefore continue at the SADC level to consolidate democracy through the establishment of institutions that uphold the tenets of good governance, respect for human rights and the rule of law.’ (http://www.swradioafrica.com/news310311/civilsoc310311.htm). As Zanu PF plumbs new depths in hate speech, the Vigil looks to SADC to honour its commitments to Zimbabweans and insist on free and fair elections. If they open their eyes, they will at last see that Mugabe has no clothes. Other points
· The Zim Vigil band (Farai Marema and Dumi Tutani) has launched its theme song ‘Vigil Yedu (our Vigil)’ to raise awareness through music. To download this single, visit website: www.imusicafrica.com.
· At a time when there has been so much publicity about the nefarious goings-on involving the Marange diamonds, we were glad to be briefed about the work of Global Witness. Please check their website for information about Zimbabwe diamonds: http://www.globalwitness.org/campaigns/conflict/conflict-diamonds/current-problem-cases
· Our sympathies to Abel Chikomo, Executive Director of the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum who is accused by the Zimbabwe authorities of running an illegal organization. The Vigil has close links with the Forum in the UK and Abel has visited the Vigil – see: http://www.swradioafrica.com/news310311/humanrights310311.htm For latest Vigil pictures check: http://www.flickr.com/photos/zimbabwevigil/. For the latest ZimVigil TV programme check http://www.zimvigiltv.com/. FOR THE RECORD: 113 signed the register (many supporters were away at a big MDC-UK meeting). EVENTS AND NOTICES:
· 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.
· ROHR Manchester meetings. Saturday 16th April: (committee meeting from 11 am – 1 pm, general meeting from 2 – 5 pm). Venue: The Salvation Army Citadel, 71 Grosvenor Road, Manchester M13 9UB. Contact: Delina Tafadzwa Mutyambizi 07775313637, Chamunorwa Chihota 07799446404, Panyika Karimanzira 07551062161, Artwell Pfende 07886839353, Charles Nenguke 07925146757, P Mapfumo 07915926323/07932216070 or P Chibanguza 07908406069. Future meeting: 14th May. Same times and venue.
· ROHR Liverpool general meeting on Saturday 16th April from 2.30 – 5.30 pm. Venue: Kensington Methodist Church, 294 Kensington, Liverpool L7 2RN. ROHR President, national executive members present. A well-known immigration lawyer available to talk about the new country guidance ruling. Contact Anywhere Mungoyo 07939913688, Netsai Karota 07767483180, Sheilla Mironga 07578541227 or P Mapfumo 07915926323/07932216070.
· ROHR Newcastle general meeting. Saturday 23rd April from 2 – 6 pm. Venue: Warwick Court, Warwick Street, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear NE8 1EY. 3 mins walk from the Gateshead Interchange opposite Gateshead Civic Centre and Gateshead Police Station. Free parking available. Contact Susan Ndlovu 07767024586, Allen Chamboko 07500246416, Kuda Derera 07411337933, Rugare Chifungo (Coordinator) 07795070609
· ROHR Manchester Vigil. Saturday 30th April from 2 – 5 pm. Venue: Cathedral Gardens, Manchester City Centre (subject to change to Piccadilly Gardens). Contact: Delina Tafadzwa Mutyambizi 07775313637, Chamunorwa Chihota 07799446404, Panyika Karimanzira 07551062161, Artwell Pfende 07886839353, Charles Nenguke 07925146757, P Mapfumo 07915926323/07932216070 or P Chibanguza 07908406069. Future demonstration: 28th May. Same time and venue.
· Vigil Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=8157345519&ref=ts.
· Vigil Myspace page: http://www.myspace.com/zimbabwevigil.
· ‘Through the Darkness’, Judith Todd’s acclaimed account of the rise of Mugabe. To receive a copy by post in the UK please email confirmation of your order and postal address to
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
and 0send a cheque for £10 payable to “Budiriro Trust” to Emily Chadburn, 15 Burners Close, Burgess Hill, West Sussex RH15 0QA. All proceeds go to the Budiriro Trust which provides bursaries to needy A Level students in Zimbabwe
· Workshops aiming to engage African men on HIV testing and other sexual health issues. Organised by the Terrence Higgins Trust (www.tht.org.uk). Please contact the co-ordinator Takudzwa Mukiwa (
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
) if you are interested in taking part. |
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Zimbabwe Vigil Diary – 26th March 2011 |
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Written by Administrator
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Sunday, 27 March 2011 17:20 |
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As the military junta in Zimbabwe intensifies its onslaught against the MDC and civil liberties, the Vigil has relaunched our petition calling for penalties against SADC countries for failing to honour their undertaking to protect Zimbabweans, millions of whom are suffering at the hands of the rampaging regime. SADC agreed to guarantee the coalition deal it foisted on the MDC two years ago but has repeatedly failed to hold Zanu PF to account for its refusal to implement the agreement. The military junta has now decided to bludgeon its way to another election victory before Mugabe dies – no time obviously can be wasted – in the confident expectation that Africa will once again rubber stamp a bogus election. The Vigil believes that there is no point in appealing to the African Union; it is rapidly backtracking on its vote for democracy in Libya. We also have little confidence in the United Nations, which we believe will have no interest in Zimbabwe until there are tanks firing in Harare. So who are we to look to? The European Union gives billions of pounds a year to the SADC circus. The UK alone, for instance, gives some £80 million a year to support the government of Mugabe’s friend President Bingu wa Mutharika of Malawi. We want this money suspended until SADC governments meet their obligations. Here is what we are demanding: ‘A Petition to European Union Governments: We record our dismay at the failure of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to help the desperate people of Zimbabwe at their time of trial. We urge the UK government and the European Union in general to suspend government to government aid to all 14 SADC countries until they abide by their joint commitment to uphold human rights in the region. We suggest that the money should instead be used to feed the starving in Zimbabwe.’ As we met outside the Zimbabwe Embassy, some quarter of a million of people demonstrated in London against austerity cuts in the national budget. We believe that the UK government can avoid some of these cuts by withholding funds from the Swazi paedophile King Mswati and Mugabe’s other derelict SADC friends. The Vigil was encouraged by comments this week by UK Foreign Secretary William Hague, who warned Mugabe to take heed of events in the Middle East and promised that the UK would use its international clout to seek sanctions against countries that protect corrupt dictators and ensure those responsible for human rights abuses face the International Criminal Court. Other Points
· Mr Hague was speaking at a forum on African development organized by the Times newspaper. We noted particularly the following figures: Zimbabwean GDP £4.64 billion and population 12 million against South Africa’s GDP of £507 billion with a population of 49 million. To spell it out, the GDP per person in South Africa is 25 times as big as the GDP per person in Zimbabwe. When Mugabe came to power Zimbabwe was an economic power in Africa . . . .
· It was good to have with us Sarah Harland of the Zimbabwe Association and her daughter Louisa. Sarah spoke to supporters about the new ruling on sending back to Zimbabwe failed asylum seekers. We were reminded that Louisa when she was very young came up with the slogan: ‘Wake up world! Zimbabwe is Dying’ which the Vigil has used since we started.
· The Vigil works closely with the Zimbabwe Association and Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe but we are not part of any larger grouping. We put this on record because there are suggestions that we are taking part in a so-called Zimbabwean government in exile. For latest Vigil pictures check: http://www.flickr.com/photos/zimbabwevigil/. For the latest ZimVigil TV programme check http://www.zimvigiltv.com/. FOR THE RECORD: 164 signed the register. EVENTS AND NOTICES:
· 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.
· Central London Zimbabwe Forum. Monday 28th March at 7.30 pm. Speaker: Rindai Chipfunde-Vava, Director of Zimbabwe Elections Support Network. Venue: The Cole Room, Fabian Society, 11 Dartmouth St, London SW1H 9BN (020 7227 4900). Nearest station: St. James’ Park.
· ROHR Wolverhampton general meeting. Saturday 2nd April. Venue: Heath Town Community Centre, 208 Chevril Rise, Wolverhampton WV10 0HP. Contact Tsvakai Marambi 07915065171, Florence Munemo 07901733634, Flora Nyahuma 07900036702, P Chibanguza 07908406069.· ROHR Woking general meeting. Saturday 2nd April from 2 – 6 pm. Venue: Woking Homes, Oriental Road, Woking GU22 7BE. Contact, Isaac Mudzamiri 07774044873, Sithokozile Hlokana 07886203113, Saziso Zulu 07861028280 or P.Mapfumo 07915926323/07932216070.
· ROHR Manchester meetings. Saturday 16th April: (committee meeting from 11 am – 1 pm, general meeting from 2 – 5 pm). Venue: The Salvation Army Citadel, 71 Grosvenor Road, Manchester M13 9UB. Contact: Delina Tafadzwa Mutyambizi 07775313637, Chamunorwa Chihota 07799446404, Panyika Karimanzira 07551062161, Artwell Pfende 07886839353, Charles Nenguke 07925146757, P Mapfumo 07915926323/07932216070 or P Chibanguza 07908406069. Future meeting: 14th May. Same times and venue.
· ROHR Manchester Vigil. Saturday 30th April from 2 – 5 pm. Venue: Cathedral Gardens, Manchester City Centre (subject to change to Piccadilly Gardens). Contact: Delina Tafadzwa Mutyambizi 07775313637, Chamunorwa Chihota 07799446404, Panyika Karimanzira 07551062161, Artwell Pfende 07886839353, Charles Nenguke 07925146757, P Mapfumo 07915926323/07932216070 or P Chibanguza 07908406069. Future demonstration: 28th May. Same time and venue.
· Vigil Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=8157345519&ref=ts.
· Vigil Myspace page: http://www.myspace.com/zimbabwevigil.
· ‘Through the Darkness’, Judith Todd’s acclaimed account of the rise of Mugabe. To receive a copy by post in the UK please email confirmation of your order and postal address to
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
and 0send a cheque for £10 payable to “Budiriro Trust” to Emily Chadburn, 15 Burners Close, Burgess Hill, West Sussex RH15 0QA. All proceeds go to the Budiriro Trust which provides bursaries to needy A Level students in Zimbabwe
· Workshops aiming to engage African men on HIV testing and other sexual health issues. Organised by the Terrence Higgins Trust (www.tht.org.uk). Please contact the co-ordinator Takudzwa Mukiwa (
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
) if you are interested in taking part. |
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