Zimbabwe Vigil Diary: 7th June 2014

via LOL EU – Zimbabwe Vigil Diary: 7th June 2014 ZimbabweSituation Facebook June 9, 2014

As the EU embraces Zanu PF, the party’s supporters in the UK are ‘coming out’ in force and parading their allegiance to the Mugabe regime.

Nehanda Radio displayed photos on its website taken at the launch of a new branch of Zanu PF in Bracknell, near London. The Vigil has put Nehanda Radio’s photos on our flickr website and we ask people to let us know if they can identify anybody in them by emailing co-ordinator@zimvigil.co.uk (see: http://nehandaradio.com/2014/06/03/uk-based-zanu-pf-agents-creep-woodwork/ and https://www.flickr.com/photos/zimbabwevigil/sets/72157644649465087/).

Having been around for 12 years, the Vigil has a considerable database. We would like to check if any of these Zanu PF supporters at the Bracknell meeting have come to the Vigil. If they have misrepresented themselves as human rights activists to get our support for permission to stay in the UK we would like to expose them to the Home Office.

The Vigil has already asked for a meeting with the Home Secretary, Theresa May, or her representative to discuss the asylum issue. We would be happy to expose bogus claims and see these frauds sent back home to enjoy the paradise that Zanu PF has created.

SW Radio Africa in a report on the Bracknell meeting said: ‘A snapshot of the list of attendees included prominent ZANU PF names such as Mliswa, Chidarikire, Chikowore, Vambe, Mangwana, Mararike, among others.’

Ephraim Tapa, one of the founders of the Vigil, told SW Radio Africa: ‘We have always known that there are regime agents among us. Until recently they have been working clandestinely, feeding the regime with information and also infiltrating organisations such as the ZimVigil to cause confusion and disunity. However, I find their audacity to launch branches across the UK surprising, given their leader Robert Mugabe’s terrible human rights record. This is disrespectful to victims of Mugabe’s brutality and it will cause anxiety as people realise that all along they had ZANU PF agents in their midst.’

Ephraim blamed the situation on what has been described as the EU’s dollar-inspired new love for Mugabe. He said this was ‘sending signals that it is now OK to do business with ZANU PF when in reality nothing has changed. That is where these people are deriving their energy and confidence from. With the EU showing its support, the Mugabe regime and its supporters no longer see any reason to change or hide.’

MDC spokesman Nhlanhla Dube told SW Radio Africa that it was well-known that ZANU PF officials sent their families abroad when conditions began to deteriorate in the country. ‘After plundering and destroying all sectors, including education, they sent their children and families to western countries to protect them from the consequences of their bad governance. Some of these sought asylum when in fact their parents and families were the perpetrators of the violence. We find it ironical that these would choose to declare their allegiance to the regime in the comfort of western democracies.’ Dube said. He condemned ZANU PF officials for their double standards in calling for exiled Zimbabweans to return home when their own families are showing no inclination to do so.

Other points

• ·         A meeting of the Zimbabwe Action Forum (ZAF) after the Vigil exchanged views on the political ‘renewal’ process underway in Zimbabwe. Ephraim, President of Zimbabwe Yes We Can, spoke about a recent meeting in Luton called to discuss this process. He said it was time for all progressive forces to join hands in a broad coalition but added that this did not mean the Vigil Coalition would be joining any party. It was time, he added, for the diaspora to move centre stage in Zimbabwe and give direction to the debate on our country’s future.
• ·         The ZAF meeting was attended by Wilbert Mukori who came down from Manchester for the occasion. Wilbert said the EU is being totally irresponsible in offering direct financial support to Zanu PF. His article can be seen on our campaigns page, see: http://www.zimvigil.co.uk/vigil-news/campaign-news/592-the-eu-and-aid-to-zanu-pf
• ·         The Vigil is delighted that the Zimbabwe Situation website is to continue. Thanks to the new team who have stepped in at short notice to run it.
• ·         The Zimbabwean newspaper has a new diary feature. Check: http://www.thezimbabwean.co/entertainment/film-and-theatre/71964/welcome-to-whats-on.html for what’s on.
• ·         Thanks to Bridget Zhakata, Isaac Chatikobo and Maruwiza Nklambala who came early to help set up the Vigil.
• ·         For more on Philip and Lindiwe’s wedding check: http://nehandaradio.com/2014/06/02/tsvangirai-mock-wedding-becomes-reality/ 

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: 42 signed the register. 

EVENTS AND NOTICES:

• ·         ZAF team meeting – Saturday 14th June from 11am – 1.30 pm. Venue: Strand Continental Hotel (first floor lounge), 143 Strand, London WC2R 1JA. 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.
• ·         Next Swaziland Vigil. Saturday 14th June from 10 am to 1 pm outside the Swaziland High Commission, 20 Buckingham Gate, London SW1E 6LB.
• ·         ROHR Leicester Branch fundraiser. Saturday 14th June from 2 pm – 3 am. Venue: The New Joiners, 73 Sanvey Gate, Leicester, LE1 4EQ. Join us for a massive BBQ / Braai / Amawoso / Gochi Gochi party. Zora Butter with DJ Russey & Tjukutja with Kevin Ncube. Flyer: https://www.flickr.com/photos/90023465@N03/14343685003/in/set-72157644911552056. Contact: Enniah Dube 07403439707, Hilda Gwesele 07939127819, Christopher Kamuzonde 07449150041 and Bryne Mashonganyika 07450547313.
• ·         Zimbabwe Yes We Can meeting. Saturday 21st June at 12 noon. Venue: The Theodore Bullfrog, 26-30 John Adam Street, London WC2N 6HL.
• ·         Zimbabwe Action Forum (ZAF). Saturday 21st June from 6.15 pm. Venue: Strand Continental Hotel (first floor lounge), 143 Strand, London WC2R 1JA. For direction see first entry of ‘Events and Notices’.
• ·         ROHR Reading Branch general meeting. Saturday 28th June from 2 – 5 pm. Venue: RISC, 35-39 London St, Reading, Berkshire RG1 4PS. For further enquiries contact: Erick Eluwasi, the Information and Publicity Officer on 07532021348
• ·         ROHR Slough Branch general meeting. Saturday 28th June 2014 from 1 pm – 3.30 pm. Venue: Upton Lea Community Hall, Wexham Road, Slough SL2 5JW.   For further information contact Patricia Masamba (Chairperson on 07708116625, Nkosikona Tshabangu Vice Chairperson 07887398247, Sharon Zimuto Secretary 07988165394, Fungisai Mupandira 077988958803, Iline Manhunzi Treasurer 07824886092 and Tichaona Mafokosho Information and Publicity 07939696521.
• ·         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.
• ·         Zimbabwe Yes We Can Movement holds monthly meetings in London as the political face of ROHR and the Vigil.
• ·         The Zimbabwe Action Forum (ZAF) meets twice a month after the Vigil to discuss ways to help those back in Zimbabwe to fight oppression and achieve true democracy
• ·         For the Zimbabwean Diary, check: http://www.thezimbabwean.co/entertainment/film-and-theatre/71964/welcome-to-whats-on.html.
• ·         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.co/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:/www.zimvigil.co.uk.