Some wearing black bandanas or armbands, Vigil supporters mourned the death of Susan Tsvangirai in Friday’s road crash. Carrying placards saying “The Vigil mourns with Tsvangirai” and “More death in Zimbabwe”, we expressed our shock at the death of a much admired lady.   

We were at a loss to understand how this could be an accident. There was an electric feeling of outrage, suspicion and anger.  We pray that it was not another assassination attempt on the MDC leader. 

The feelings were summed up by two big banners brought to the Vigil: “Sleeping with the enemy one was bound to be bludgeoned to death in one’s sleep. Mugabe is a murderer” and “The plot thickens in Zimbabwe. An attempt on Tsvangirai’s life and he loses his wife in a highly suspicious road accident”. 

An extra big crowd attended the Vigil.  People spoke of their need to be with other Zimbabweans at this time to share their grief and try to understand what is happening at home.  What is sure is that few people have any confidence in Mugabe’s willingness or ability to make power-sharing work.   

While the Vigil calls for increased humanitarian aid for Zimbabwe, we insist that there must be evidence of real commitment to the rule of law from Zanu-PF before development aid is handed over. 

Some points:
·        Thanks to Sister Beverly Mutandiro for leading the prayers for the Tsvangirais.
·        Vigil management team member Luka Phiri, who recently faced the prospect of deportation, was invited to address a one-day conference in London organised by the National Union of Journalists and spoke about the problems of asylum seekers.
·        Welcome to two new Vigil babies: Paradzai Mapfumo’s son, Leon Michael, who was born in the early hours of Saturday morning, and Enock Dzonga’s daughter.

For latest Vigil pictures check: http://www.flickr.com/photos/zimbabwevigil/ 

FOR THE RECORD: 368 signed the register. 

FOR YOUR DIARY:
·        Central London Zimbabwe Forum. Monday 9th March at 7.30 pm. Venue: Bell and Compass, 9-11 Villiers Street, London, WC2N 6NA, next to Charing Cross Station at the corner of Villiers Street and John Adam Street.
·        ZIMBABWE: WILL UNITY PREVAIL? with Lucia Matibenga MP. Chaired by Kate Hoey MP. Wednesday 11th March from 6.45 – 8 pm.  UNFORTUNATELY THIS MEETING HAS BEEN CANCELLED.
·        ROHR UK Chair’s meeting. Saturday 14th March from 12 noon. Venue to be advised.  Contact Ephraim Tapa 07940793090 or Paradzai Mapfumo  07915926323 or 07932216070
·        Next Glasgow Vigil. Saturday 14th March, 2 – 6 pm. Venue: Argyle Street Precinct. For more information contact: Patrick Dzimba, 07990 724 137, Tafadzwa Musemwa 07954 344 123 and Roggers Fatiya 07769 632 687.
·        Zimbabwe Association’s Women’s Weekly Drop-in Centre. Fridays 10.30 am – 4 pm. Venue: The Fire Station Community and ICT Centre, 84 Mayton Street, London N7 6QT, Tel: 020 7607 9764. Nearest underground: Finsbury Park. For more information contact the Zimbabwe Association 020 7549 0355 (open Tuesdays and Thursdays).