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Zimbabwe Situation

Challenge Mugabe to deliver

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Challenge Mugabe to deliver – Zimbabwe Vigil Diary: 31st August 2013 

The Zimbabwean diaspora is puzzled that a month has passed since the stolen elections and a seemingly punch-drunk opposition has given no sign of a strategy to confront Mugabe, let alone stage demonstrations against Zanu PF’s blatant chicanery.

We at the Vigil are sorry that the MDC did not decide to boycott parliament to make a powerful statement to the world about the election rigging – especially necessary since the puzzling withdrawal of the MDC’s legal challenge against the outcome. We don’t think their presence can serve any useful purpose but we had no real hope that the honourable members would pass up the perks – even though it just lends legitimacy to Mugabe.

Well, here’s another suggestion for the MDC and one which we hope they will look at more favourably. Our suggestion is that the party returns to its roots: trade unionism and human rights. The new constitution the MDC has laboured so long over and welcomed so joyously must give room for this activism. The Labour Court President Custom Kachambwa thinks so. He says the constitution guarantees civil servants the right to strike (Zim Labour Expert Urges Workers to Exploit New Governance Charter – http://www.zimbabwesituation.com/news/jb_zim-labour-expert-urges-workers-to-exploit-new-governance-charter/).

Mugabe promised that civil servants and others would be given pay rises. We urge the MDC to support the legitimate demands of workers for this promise to be honoured. The MDC must also surely support Mugabe’s call for adequate inputs and finance for farmers, for the reinvigoration of industry, for the overhaul of water and electricity provision, for improved roads and transport….

No money to pay for this? The workers know that there is money from diamonds that Mugabe has at his disposal. By promising pay rises and other help, Mugabe has just invited them to apply for it. So we call on the MDC to get out there and get the civil servants, farmers, soldiers and business people to demand their rights.

The Vigil is inspired by the wise counsel of Papa Jukwa – father of Baba. He says Zanu PF’s decision to cancel municipal bills will be followed by the long-heralded revival of the Zimbabwean dollar. The Zanu PF insider says the currency will be backed by damages from the West awarded by Zimbabwe’s learned judges in compensation for the illegal sanctions which have cost Zimbabwe $42 billion or more. As a down payment, all properties of these vile countries will be seized without compensation. Our problems will be over at last.

Other points

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: 35 signed the register.

EVENTS AND NOTICES:

–         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://www.zimvigil.co.uk,

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