Strangled by his own scarf – Zimbabwe Vigil Diary

Source: Strangled by his own scarf – Zimbabwe Vigil Diary: 11th August 2018

With the new Zanu PF regime pulling in different directions, there is a growing belief that it is the army that is now in charge in Zimbabwe – and that it is ready to pull the trigger at any provocation.

Whatever the outcome of the MDC’s legal challenge to the microscopic lead declared for Mnangagwa in the presidential election, the army is considered unlikely to allow a handover of power.

The chair of the British all-party parliamentary committee on Zimbabwe, Kate Hoey MP, has called for the dismissal of the Vice-President, General Chiwenga. Ms Hoey, who has been observing the elections, urged the West not to soften its policy towards Zimbabwe in the light of the bloody scenes in Harare.

The Americans, for their part, have been equally outspoken, alarmed by the violence and the treatment of the MDC’s Tendai Biti, illegally bundled out of Zambia, where he had appealed for political asylum.

Is it not strange at this juncture that General Chiwenga has flown to Moscow on a ‘special mission’ to deliver a message to President Putin? What could that be – except help!

Meanwhile Mnangagwa, in an interview with the British Daily Telegraph blames it all on the NGOs and the trouble-making independent press. No doubt he is supported by his fellow travellers in the gutless Southern African Development Community where the Zanu PF virus is increasingly poisoning their own politics.

Thanks to those who came early to help set up the table and put up the banners: Viola Chihota, Enniah Dube, Jonathan Kariwo, Marian Machekanyanga, Patricia Masamba, Joyce Mbairatsunga, Esther Munyira ,Sipho Ndlovu and EphraimTapa. Thanks also to Marian, Patricia and Enniah for looking after the front table and to Enniah, Joyce and Viola for handing out flyers.

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: 14 signed the register.

EVENTS AND NOTICES:

• ROHR Central London branch meeting. Saturday 18^th August from 11.30 am – 1.30 pm. Venue: Royal Festival Hall. Contact: Daizy Fabian 07708653640, Maxmus Savanhu 07397809056, Sipho Ndlovu 07400566013.
• ROHR beach barbecue. Monday, 27^th August. Venue: Frinton Beach CO13 9DN. Food and transport provided. Bring your own drinks. Tickets: £20 adults, £5 children. For more information, contact: Daizy 07708653640, Max 07397809056 and Esther 07492058107.
• ROHR National Executive meeting. Saturday 1^st September from 11 am. Venue: The Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX.
• 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 ishttp://www.rohrzimbabwe.org/. Any other website claiming to be the official website of ROHR in no way represents us.
• Mike Campbell Foundation – Zimbabwe: rising from the ruins? Tuesday 9^th October from 7 – 9 pm (doors open at 6 .30 pm). Venue: Royal Geographical Society, 1 Kensington Gore, London SW7 2AR. Speakers include: Kate Hoey MP (Chair), Ben Freeth MBE, Fergal Keane OBE, Archbishop Sentamu, Chief Felix Ndiweni and Gift Konjana. To book, visit: https://event.bookitbee.com/18402/my-first-event-1347?preview=y
• 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:

Vigil: https://www.facebook.com/zimbabwevigil

ROHR: https://www.facebook.com/Restoration-of-Human-Rights-ROHR-Zimbabwe-International-370825706588551/

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

The Vigil, outside the Zimbabwe Embassy, 429 Strand, London, takes place every Saturday from 14.00 to 17.00 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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