Source: ‘No free and fair elections’, Mawarire – Zimbabwe Vigil Diary: 24th February 2018
The human rights campaigner Pastor Evan Mawarire has made clear that he has no confidence in the government of President Mnangagwa. Speaking at a meeting in Parliament in London on Thursday, the #ThisFlag leader said Zanu PF’s culture seemed to be second nature to the government and predicted the upcoming elections would not be free and fair.
Mawarire said the ousting of Mugabe by the army had been a game of musical chairs; the same people who had served Mugabe were still in the government, with the addition of some military figures.
He said the new government had launched a road show proclaiming that Zimbabwe was open for business and that investors were welcome, but asked “Is it open for freedom?’ Mawarire observed that there had been no desire in the past by Zanu PF to allow Zimbabweans to be free. To deserve the people’s trust, the new regime must do things to earn their confidence. He said they could not ignore the past, such as Gukurahundi, and insisted: ‘it is incredibly important that the wounds of the past are attended to’, adding that the people responsible were still in the government.
Pastor Mawarire said the new government had much to do, such as aligning laws to the 2013 constitution, and insisted that POSA must be repealed because it contravened the constitution. Yet the government was moving slowly on this.
He warned his audience, which included members of both the Houses of Commons and Lords, that the British government must be careful in dealing with the new regime and not seek economic gain at the expense of the real interests of the people.
Questioned on the elections, Mawarire said he was not very hopeful that they would be any different from those in the past. The ones who had kept Mugabe in power were the ones now asking to be returned to office. However, he expressed confidence that change could not be long delayed if people could be mobilised. They had been slaves to politicians but had showed their real feelings when Mugabe was overthrown. Fear was in the past and the church was waking up.
On the MDC presidential candidate, Mawarire said his preference was for a younger person. ‘I would love to see Nelson Chamisa chosen if the party’s constitution allows it,’ he said, adding that there was a general acceptance of Chamisa.
Other points
- What Pastor Mawarire referred to as the government’s ‘roadshow’ is to descend on London next month. A number of government ministers will attend a meeting to try and drum up foreign investment. Vigil activists will be there to give our view of the situation in Zimbabwe.
- A small attendance today because most of our activists were attending a memorial service for Morgan Tsvangirai in Luton. On a bitterly cold and windy day, thanks to those who put up the banners, looked after the front table and with freezing hands handed out flyers to passers-by: Racqueline Changunda Abigail Chidavayenzi, Nyarai Masvosva, Margaret Munenge, Debra Ncube and Ephraim Tapa.
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: 10 signed the register.
EVENTS AND NOTICES:
- ROHR general members’ meeting. Saturday 3rd March from 11 am – 1.45 pm. Venue: Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX. Agenda: adoption of the ROHR 2018 programme of action and completion of appointments to the ROHR National Executive Committee.
- ROHR Central London branch meeting. Saturday 17th March from 11.30 am – 1.30 pm. Venue: Royal Festival Hall,. Contact: Daisy Fabian 07708653640, Maxmus Savanhu 07397809056, Sipho Ndlovu 07400566013.
- 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.
- Mike Campbell Foundation ‘Zimbabwe after Mugabe’. Tuesday 6th March at 6.30 pm for 7 – 9 pm. Venue: the Princess Anne Theatre, 195 Piccadilly, London W1J 9LN. The event is free and tickets will be allocated on a first come first served basis, email: claire@mikecampbellfoundation.com.
- Lecture: ‘Fall and Fallout: Robert Mugabe and Zimbabwe’. Wednesday 7th March from 6:45 pm to 8:00 pm. Venue: Queen Mary Campus, University of London, ArtsTwo, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS. The lecturer is Dr Sue Onslow. For tickets and more information: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/fall-and-fallout-robert-mugabe-and-zimbabwe-dr-sue-onslow-tickets-43322220929?aff=efbeventtix.
- Zimbabwe Investment Forum: Zimdaba 2018. Thursday / Friday, 15th / 16th March. Venue: The Royal Geographical Society, 1 Kensington Gore, London SW7 2AR. A number of government ministers and businessmen from Zimbabwe will be attending. The Vigil plans to hold a demonstration outside the venue. Time and date to be advised as plans develop. For more information on the event, check: www.zimdaba.com.
- The Vigil’s book ‘Zimbabwe Emergency’ is based on our weekly diaries. It records how events in Zimbabwe have unfolded over the past 15 years 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 for £10. All proceeds will 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.
- Zimbabwe Action Forum meets regularly after the Vigil to discuss ways to help those back in Zimbabwe to fight oppression and achieve true democracy.
- Zimbabwe Yes We Can Movement holds meetings in London as the political face of ROHR and the Vigil.
-
Facebook pages:
COMMENTS
Pastor EM now seem to be missing it. There are corrupt people in Zimbabwe, l think he agrees. So does that means he is corrupt because he is a Zimbabwean. Take note of this (1) An unholly pastor can lead some holly cogregants. (2) There are dictators led by democrats and democrats who are under the leadership of totalitarians. You can only tell their actual character only when they are in control not under the control of someone. Learn to preach the gospel of unity and tolerance and shift away from spreading politics of polarization. What if the elections be free and fair what would you say? My Pastor is likely to discredit that only to fulfill his statement. I personally thank Pastor EM for his previous contributions but this time he seem to have scored an own goal.
So this Mawarire guy is a sanctions mantra. Is he not a Pastor?