Zimbabwe Vigil Diary 7th September 2024

https://www.flickr.com/photos/zimbabwevigil/53984686632/sizes/m/

Thanks to those who came today: Shepherd Gandanga, Simbarashe Jingo, Henry Makambe, Chido Makawa, Philip Maponga, Mellisa Mbavarira and Ephraim Tapa. Photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/zimbabwevigil/albums/72177720320164220.

As usual, a lot of encouragement came from passers-by and increasingly so, members of the Zimbabwe community – black and white. Curious young black Zimbabweans (who were either born or raised in the UK) would also stop by to enquire about the protest and the Zimbabwe human rights situation in general. They were dismayed that Zimbabwe under Mnangagwa was now a military state where the rule of the gun is the order of the day. Out of patriotism, they would vow to come and join in.

Meanwhile, the situation on the ground in Zimbabwe continues to worsen particularly for the vending community. Towards the run-up to the SADC summit, the regime adopted a cat and mouse approach to rid the capital of street vendors. To that end, Harare Municipality Police and the ZRP would gang up against the street vendor in the morning, afternoon, and evening. They would ambush the unsuspecting vendors, dispossess them of their wares, and throw them in their trucks never to be seen again. When vendors presented at police stations, police would profess ignorance.

One vendor had this to say, ‘ tanzwa nekumhanya everyday (we are tired of running away from police daily), they take everything to stock their tuckshops’. Another went further to say,  ‘we no longer know where to turn to because the police are now the thieves, their first shift is to steal from us, the poor’. Another added, ‘Zimbabwe is not free, we can’t do anything or even protest, they are bloody killers!’.It is absurd that on the other end of the spectrum, filthy rich people who benefitted from government deals, are seen buying 3 expensive luxury cars for themself and their sons, all in one go. Cry Zimbabwe, whither my beloved country!

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

Events and Notices:

• Next Vigil meeting outside the Zimbabwe Embassy. Saturday 21^st September from 2 – 5 pm. We meet on the first and third Saturdays of every month. On other Saturdays the virtual Vigil will run.
• The Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe (ROHR) is the Vigil’s partner organisation based in Zimbabwe. ROHR grew out of the need for the Vigil to have an organisation 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.
• The Vigil’s book ‘Zimbabwe Emergency’ is based on our weekly diaries. It records how events in Zimbabwe have unfolded 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. All proceeds 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.
• 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 meets regularly on Saturdays 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.