https://www.flickr.com/photos/zimbabwevigil/49441030232/sizes/m/

MDC leader Nelson Chamisa has called for ‘revolutionary’ action this year. He said the constitution gave the people every right to demonstrate following the stolen 2018 presidential election and the failure to hold accountable those responsible for the violent suppression of protests in Harare in January last year and the previous August.

Outlining his agenda at a meeting in Mbare, Chamisa said the crisis in Zimbabwe was man-made. ‘We are a broken and divided nation, led through fear, governed by force and ruled through violence’…. ‘People have been impoverished beyond measure; no jobs, no income, no lights, no water, no food; prices are escalating while incomes are plunging. It’s just hell on earth: a beautiful country and hitherto relatively prosperous country turned into a hellhole by a failed, rogue and corrupt politics and policies!’

Chamisa said that this year the people will speak ‘through action against the scourge and in defence of their right to their livelihoods’. He said time was running out for Zimbabwe and it was essential to create a soft landing through national dialogue. ‘We must return to legitimacy and democracy. Zimbabwe must have a political dialogue that is credible and genuine underwritten by the international community to facilitate a transitional authority that will pave the way for reforms. The National Transition Authority is the appropriate vehicle to turnaround this country.’ (See: https://www.zimbabwesituation.com/news/agenda-2020-president-chamisas-address-to-the-nation/.)

The legitimacy of the government has also been challenged by former minister and Zanu PF strategist Jonathan Moyo. He says his recent book telling how the military rigged the 2018 election was behind the new government move to seize his farm. Moyo, who has taken refuge in South Africa, is only one of many former Zanu PF bigwigs, including Grace Mugabe, who are threatened with losing farms the government says are under-utilised or obtained corruptly. (See: https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/news/africa/Zimbabwe-seizes-land-from-robert-mugabe-allies/4552902-5429092-w2sokwz/index.html and https://www.herald.co.zw/land-grab-grace-chombo-face-arrest/).

While welcoming the prosecution of these predators, the Vigil applauds even more the humanitarian gesture by entrepreneur Strive Musiyiwa, a fellow exile in the UK, to pay an allowance to Zimbabwean doctors so that they can return to work. Strive’s sympathy for the suffering is in sharp contrast to the behaviour of Marry Chiwenga’s relative Genius Kadungure. Genius showed he was not so clever when a court ordered him to pay an additional US$58,000 in import duty on his new Bentley Continental GT . . .

Other points

• At the Vigil we displayed posters marking the anniversary of last January’s vicious attacks on opposition protesters by the security forces in Harare.
• It was wonderful to have with us two of our activists, Enniah Dube and Daizy Fabian, both cancer-free after intensive treatment. Their message to others diagnosed with cancer is to get treated as soon as possible.
• Thanks to those who came early to help set up the front table and put up the banners: Enniah Dube, Daizy Fabian, Delice Gavazah, Josephine Jombe, Jonathan Kariwo, Godfrey Katere. Joyce Mbairatsunga, Gertrude Mudede, Washington Mugari, Margaret Munenge, Tsitsi Nyirongo and Ephraim Tapa. Thanks to Josephine and Delice for looking after the front table, to Kevin Wheeldon, Bigboy Sibanda and Simbarashe Jingo for handing out flyers, to Mary Muteyerwa, Godfrey, Margaret and Washington for drumming and to Jonathan and Simbarashe for photos.
• For latest Vigil pictures check: http://www.flickr.com/photos/zimb88abwevigil/. Please note: Vigil photos can only be downloaded from our Flickr website                                                                   

EVENTS AND NOTICES:

• ROHR Valentine’s fundraising dinner dance. Saturday 15^th February from 6 pm till late. Venue: 38 Marcon Place, London E8 1LP. The event is in aid of women living with HIV/AIDS in rural Zimbabwe. Tickets £30. Contact: Esther Munyira 07492058107, Molly Ngavaimbe 07415443973, Patricia Masamba 07708116625 and Margaret Munenge 07384300283.
• 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.
• 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