Aid for what? – Zimbabwe Vigil Diary: 1st March 2014

via Aid for what? – Zimbabwe Vigil Diary: 1st March 2014 March 3, 2014 at 2:33am

The British government’s donation of an extra $10 million for basic education for poor children in Zimbabwe came as Mugabe was being feted at a $1 million 90th birthday bash and his daughter’s wedding was being celebrated in equally lavish style – but capped with entertainment by Congolese alleged rapist Koffi Olomide (see: SA President Zuma to attend Mugabe wedding –http://www.swradioafrica.com/2014/02/28/sa-president-zuma-to-attend-mugabe-wedding/).

Both events were attended by Zanu PF chefs engorged by corruption. They are said to have happily stumped up the money for the bachelor party at which Mugabe’s new son-in-law arrived in an opulent Rolls-Royce flaunting the number plate VVIP.

The MDC-T Shadow Minister for Basic Education Concilia Chinanzvavana put her finger on the problem when she said basic education is a right and ZANU PF should think of the children as the party’s officials loot and plunder national resources.

A report on SW Radio Africa says Britain’s latest gift to Zimbabwe means that, in all, the UK will have provided $650 million for Zimbabwe’s education, health, water and sanitation sectors from 2011 to 2015. Yet the UK gets no thanks – only abuse.

For our part, the Vigil, advised the UK’s Department for International Development not to agree to this latest handout (however much we know the people need it) on the grounds that it just gives Zanu PF more room for looting. Our view is supported by comments on SW Radio Africa’s article posted on the Zimbabwe Situation website. Here are a few:

• apolitical says: They owe Zimbabwe millions more for the damage done to our economy through propaganda and economic sabotage funded by the local embassy. Its just peanuts.
• John Steele says: Apolitical, you buffoon! your Chink friends will never ever hand over free money, like the stupid Brit government has done.
• Mlimo says: Someone has to pay for mugabe s 90th birthday party I can see the one million plus being stripped out already stupid british
• Harry says: Castigate these British bufoons louder and they will open their wallets more often. Far easier than being productive and paying taxes.
• andi evans says: It’s about time the British government woke up and stopped supporting Mugabe its a disgrace Mugabe and his cronies have caused the dire situation in Zimbabwe instead of making so many trips abroad he should use that funding to help educate the future leaders who hopefully will not follow in Mugabes footpath
• gwabu says: the poor families who cannot afford fees for their children are the very same people who support Mugabe. this donations must be made clear that Mugabe has failed them and the british who Mugabe talks bad about all the time are the ones helping not the poor families but Mugabe so that he can preside over educated fools.

For the article and all 30+ comments see:https://www.zimbabwesituation.com/news/zimsit_british-govt-gives-zimbabwe-10-million-for-school-fees/.

The Vigil suggests that the money would be better spent on funding change in Zimbabwe rather than propping up the regime.

Other points

• Our thanks to Fungayi Mabhunu for donning our Mugabe mask and playing the birthday boy in a tableau at the Vigil. Thanks also to Admire Mhindura for playing the role of a fawning Zuma, who cancelled attendance at a Westminster Abbey memorial service for Nelson Mandela to go to the wedding.
• After the Vigil supporters went on to a meeting of the bi-monthly Zimbabwe Action Forum (ZAF). Peter Sidindi reported on a Vigil protest at a Zimbabwean tourism promotion at a London restaurant on Thursday evening. The defensive restaurant proprietor was abusive and threatened to call the police when Vigil activists arrived with our banner ‘No to Mugabe, No to Starvation’ and posters reading ‘No Rule of Law in Zimbabwe’ and ‘Zimbabwe Tourism props up Mugabe’. Because the demo was organised at the last minute we hadn’t got police permission so we were forced to leave. Thanks to those who attempted to protest: Cephas Maswoswa, Mary Muteyerwa, Peter Sidindi and Sharon Zimuto (all the way from Southend).
• ZAF also heard a report on a Vigil meeting with SW Radio Africa to discuss how we could work together and plans for a protest at the AU / EU summit next month if Mugabe attends.
• A group from the Vigil (Iline Manhunzi, Sithobekhile Mlilo, Thandie Mlilo, Godknows Chigumba and Fungay Mabhunu) went to Heathrow on Wednesday evening to demonstrate against the threatened deportation of our supporter Try Mahachi. We are relieved to say he wasn’t put on the plane. For a photo of the demonstration see:http://www.flickr.com/photos/zimbabwevigil/sets/72157641724263684/.
• Thanks to Mary Muteyerwa, Bridget Zhakata, Joseph Chivayo and Fungayi who were there at the start of the Vigil to help set up. 

For latest Vigil pictures check: http://www.flickr.com/photos/zimbabwevigil/. Please note: Vigil photos can only be downloaded from our Flickr website. 

FOR THE RECORD: 40 signed the register.

EVENTS AND NOTICES:

• Next Swaziland Vigil. Saturday 8th March from 10 am to 1 pm outside the Swaziland High Commission, 20 Buckingham Gate, London SW1E 6LB.
• ROHR Middlesbrough Branch Launch. Saturday 8th March from 1 – 6 pm. Venue: Humanah CIC, Unit 5 BBC Broadcasting House, Brentnall Street, Middlesbrough TS1 4JA. Meet ROHR Zimbabwe Founder & President Ephraim Tapa for question and answer time on ROHR Zimbabwe objectives and activities both in Zimbabwe and in the UK; share your ideas about ROHR Middlesbrough Branch activities and more! For more information please contact: Masimba Musodza 07581887359, Ndumiso Ncube 07448522328, Xoliso Sithole 07449005447 and Tapiwa Semwayo 07412236229.
• Zimbabwe Action Forum (ZAF). Saturday 15th March from 6.15 pm. Venue: Strand Continental Hotel (first floor lounge), 143 Strand, London WC2R 1JA. For directions see ZAF entry above. The Strand is the same road as the Vigil. From the Vigil it’s about a 10 minute walk, in the direction away from Trafalgar Square. The Strand Continental is situated on the south side of the Strand between Somerset House and the turn off onto Waterloo Bridge. The entrance is marked by a sign at street level. It’s between a newsagent and Pizza Express. Nearest underground: Temple (District and Circle lines) and Holborn.
• ROHR Reading branch general meeting. Saturday 15th March from 2 – 5 pm.  Venue: RISC 35-39 London St, Reading, Berkshire RG1 4PS. For further enquiries contact: Nicodimus Muganhu (Chairman) 07877386792, Charles D Ndlovu (Organising Secretary) 07413879590, Mary Eluwasi (Vice Organising Secretary) 07888310582.
• ‘The Rain that Washes’ national tour: Fri 4 April – Seven Arts, 31A Harrogate Road, Leeds LS7 3PD; Sat 5 April – Selby Town Hall, York Street, Selby, North Yorkshire,YO8 4AJ; Sat 24, Sun 25 & Mon 26 May – Brighton Fringe Festival, Marlborough Theatre, 4 Princes Street, Brighton BN2 1RD. Booking details can be found at www.chickenshed.org.uk/whatsson.
• Zimbabwe Vigil Highlights 2013 can be viewed on this link: http://www.zimvigil.co.uk/vigil-news/campaign-news/560-vigil-highlights-2013. Links to previous years’ highlights are listed on 2013 Highlights page.
• 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 the views and opinions of ROHR.
• Facebook pages: 

–        Vigil: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=8157345519&ref=ts

–        ZAF: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Zimbabwe-Action-Forum-ZAF/490257051027515

–        ROHR: https://www.facebook.com/pages/ROHR-Zimbabwe-Restoration-of-Human-Rights/301811392835

Vigil co-ordinators

The Vigil, outside the Zimbabwe Embassy, 429 Strand, London, takes place every Saturday from 14.00 to 18.00 to protest against gross violations of human rights in Zimbabwe. The Vigil which started in October 2002 will continue until internationally-monitored, free and fair elections are held in Zimbabwe. http:/hgh/www.zimvigil.co.uk.