via Thank you Khama: Vigil | The Zimbabwean 04.02.14 by Zimbabwe Vigil
A delegation took time out from the Vigil to go across London to the Botswana High Commission to deliver a letter of thanks to President Ian Khama for denouncing SADC’s endorsement of Zimbabwe’s rigged elections.
“Exiled Zimbabweans at the Zimbabwe Vigil in London were heartened to read that Botswana will refuse to participate in future SADC observer missions because of SADC’s acceptance of vote rigging in Zimbabwe’s elections last July. We agreed with your comment on Botswana national television that the elections were neither free nor fair and that SADC has breached its own election guidelines by letting Zimbabwe ‘off the hook’. Like you we fear that this makes it difficult to expect other SADC countries to abide by the election guidelines,” says the letter.“The voters’ roll is the smoking gun to the election rigging by Mugabe. It was expected to be released at least one month before the elections but now, six months after the elections, its release is apparently not urgent! Mugabe has clearly decided to sit on it: he is a chicken who has laid a square egg.” The Vigil is sending a copy of this letter to the current chair of SADC, President Joyce Banda of Malawi. We are taking the opportunity of drawing SADC’s attention to the 2014 report of Human Rights Watch. The report says SADC and the AU have ‘weakened international efforts to ensure restoration of the rule of law and respect for human rights’ in Zimbabwe by endorsing the July elections.
But in truth the Vigil does not expect much from President Banda who has enlisted the help of the discredited Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to secure her re-election in May.
There was a lively meeting of the bi-monthly Zimbabwe Action Forum after the Vigil. Among the matters discussed was a campaign to secure the diaspora’s right to vote in Zimbabwe’s elections. It is reassuring that our meetings are considered of such interest that the CIO bothers to attend.
The Vigil was pleased at the wide publicity given for our demonstration outside Chatham House against the visit to London by a Zanu (PF)-backed delegation of Zimbabwean business leaders. It was rated by the Zimbabwe Situation website as their most read story of the week. – www.zimvigil.co.uk
COMMENTS
Don’t need a vigil. Zimbabweans should go on strike.
Strike? Not Zimbabweans. There is nothing to strike from except teachers, nurses, doctors, other civil servants and the armed forces. Those can never do it. They would rather just feed on each other with energetic young men being shot for robbery or poaching. Women flocking to indigenous pentecostal churches some of which are created by Zanupf. Some just try their luck in “politics” hence the numerous “Mthwakazi” parties. Others group themselves as they once met and lived in the 1970s. As for those in parastatals they can strike no one will bother. They will strike until death nothing will happen, no one listens. Infact they are already not paid for months most of them. Strike works in a sound economy where there is accountability. It does not work where there is total repression.
I respect what Banda has done to root out corruption in her own country however as regards her attitude to our President I believe it to be a case of ” we Malawians must look after each other”
Zimbabwe Vigil does more harm to the local Zimbabwe people than any other organisation. Some one from the Vigil group really needs to explain how having protestors outside Chatham House when Mzembi went to promote tourism actually helps the man on the street in Zimbabwe. Some one needs to explain how Vigil’s reaction to the recent business delegation to the Uk helps us here? Now you go and thank Ian Khama? How does that help us? Ben Freeth reckons the whole of Africa’s recent actions is ‘preposterous”. So between Vigil and Freeth they think the whole of Africa is wrong and they are right? I think its time they wake up.
Silly little vigil people! What a waste of time… Are you not aware that you are doing more harm than good?? You call yourselves “Zimbabweans in Exile”?? What a load of pish posh… Why should someone who claims assylum in another country require the need to vote in the country they have turned their backs on?? There are more vocal people living in Zimbabwe and carrying out their normal business… taking kids to school, drinking with mates, running successful businesses. Everything of potential benefit to Zim, you want to shoot down as if to justify your existence! No one cares what you have to say. I know, I know… You have to make noise and act as if it is the wild wild west in Zim, so that you can continue to justify your assylum statuses, but eish… some stuff is just too much… Shame shame shame…
blah blah blah blah BHOLA the next thing you going to say is that Mugabe is the best president on earth lets face it he is the OLDEST president and the laughing stock of the world…..
Thank you President Karma for never changing your stance on Zimbabwe, you are a true leader and Botswana has a great economy thankyou sir you are my next hero
Zimbabwe Betrayed.
By Sandy Botha.
All the world leaders stood with pride,
On that day when Rhodesia died.
They congratulated themselves on a job well done,
As Zimbabwe was born with the rising sun.
And the drums beat so very loud,
As Mugabe addressed the eager crowd.
He said ?we’ve won our freedom today?,
He said ?I’m president and I’m here to stay?,
And he made wild promises about the way,
That Zimbabwe would change on it’s first day.
Towns were renamed and streets were too,
Every time an African leader passed through.
And the cheering of the crowd as they danced in delight,
As Mugabe lit the heroes acre light.
Mercedes were ordered they couldn’t have enough,
They knew they deserved them the fight had been tough,
The West would pay for them so they didn’t need to worry,
The aid was pouring in they had to spend it in a hurry.
Mugabe was important now, he’d even met the Queen,
And of the whole world there was little left unseen.
But still Mugabe felt ill at ease,
What if someone else his power did seize.
The Matabele leaders had to go first,
It was for their blood that Mugabe did thirst.
And the whites that remained were a thorn in his side,
What to do about them he needed to decide.
But what had actually changed in the ordinary mans lives?
As a future for their children they did strive.
Inflation had spiralled out of control,
And on these people it took its toll.
And when there was a rumbling of discontent,
It was always the army that in he sent,
He silenced the people who didn’t agree,
That he’d done a good job since Zimbabwe was free.
He had to find someone else to blame,
So he started his land seizure game,
So he’s kicked the white farmers off the land,
So many farms now idle they stand.
Farm workers jobs have all gone now,
And they wonder how they’ll make a living somehow.
And now as children starve and die,
The people of Zimbabwe hang their heads and cry.
Elections were held but what a farce,
The results were in before the first vote was cast.
And as food aid continues to pour in,
Mugabe commits the ultimate sin.
For as people get to the front of the queue,
They have to prove that to Mugabe they’re true.
For if they don’t have a ZANU PF card.
Then its empty handed that they leave the yard.
And the leaders of the world stand by and sigh,
As they see the people of Zimbabwe die.
Why can’t they admit that they made a mistake,
Why can’t they do something for Zimbabwe ‘s sake.
And I wonder what stories the old people tell,
Of the time before they were living in hell.
Of a time when work was plentiful,
And the children were happy and their bellies were full.
Of days before they lived under a dictator so cruel,
In the days before they fought for Majority Rule…