Diary archive

 

3 rd May 2008

Zimbabwe is still very much in the news so we got a lot of media coverage of our demonstration in protest at Mugabe's post-election reign of terror. Fugayi Mabhunu gave three television and radio interviews while Stendrick Zvorwadza of Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe (ROHR) was on the radio a couple of times. Others were also called on for media contributions.

ROHR activists were at the Vigil in force to express their abhorrence of the violence being inflicted on opposition supporters. Stendrick briefed the Vigil on ROHR's plans for actions on the ground in Zimbabwe . Ephraim Tapa, a founding member of the Vigil and also the founder of ROHR, is currently in Johannesburg at the invitation of South African activists who want to join up with the ROHR project.

To support our demonstration we displayed graphic images of the injuries inflicted by Mugabe's terrorists. They stopped passers-by in their tracks and people lingered to study cartoons about Mugabe's lunatic world.

The Vigil was galvanized by the singing of Ancilla Chifamba, now of the Glasgow Vigil. She had to relocate to Scotland and has helped launch a very successful Vigil in Glasgow . She came down with fellow Glasgow Vigil co-ordinator Patrick Dzimba and attended a Vigil team meeting to talk about the way forward.

FOR THE RECORD : 160 signed the register.

FOR YOUR DIARY : Saturday, 10 th May 2008 , 2 – 6 pm . Next Glasgow Vigil. Venue: Argyle Street Precinct. For more information, contact: Ancilla Chifamba , 07770 291 150 and Patrick Dzimba, 07990 724 137.  

 

PRESS RELEASE – 1 st May 2008

Protest against Mugabe's post-election reign of terror

Zimbabwean exiles and supporters are to stage a demonstration outside the Zimbabwe Embassy in London on Saturday, 3 rd May, in protest at government instigated violence against supporters of the political opposition. The Africa Director of Human Rights Watch, Georgette Gagnon, said this week: ‘ The army and its allies – ‘war-veterans' and supporters of the ruling party ZANU-PF – are intensifying their brutal grip on wide swathes of rural Zimbabwe to ensure that a possible second round of presidential elections goes their way.'

The demonstration has been called by Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe (ROHRZim) in co-operation with its partner the Zimbabwe Vigil. The leader of ROHR, Stendrick Zvorwadza, who is visiting London , will speak about the situation. His deputy in Zimbabwe , Tichanzii Gandanga, was abducted on 22 nd April and found in the bush 80 miles east of Harare two days later very badly injured.  Apparently he was forced to lie down on the road and then his abductors drove over his legs four times.  He is now receiving medical attention in secret in Harare , where the authorities are trying to track him down.

During the demonstration the following petition will be available for signature:

Petition to President Mbeki of South Africa

Exiled Zimbabweans and supporters urge you to stop supporting Mugabe and allow a peaceful transfer of power from the military regime to the Zimbabwean people. Our blood is on your door.

ROHR is an on-the-ground protest movement in Zimbabwe which was set up to give people the courage to stand up to oppression and fight for their human rights.

Event: Protest against Mugabe's post-election reign of terror

Venue: Outside the Zimbabwe Embassy, 429 Strand , London WC2

Date / time: 2 pm – 6 pm , Saturday, 3 rd May 2008

Photo Opportunities: Zimbabwean singing, dancing and drumming.

Interview Opportunities: Political activists, torture and rape victims.

 

26 th April 2008

It was a day of glorious sunshine in London – a welcome relief from the cold, wet weather we have been experiencing at the Vigil. Supporters expressed growing anger at the Mugabe regime's crazed efforts to remain in power and at the reign of terror inflicted on opposition supporters. We had lots of new posters at the Vigil featuring victims of the violence and many people stopped to look at them. Many thanks to David McAllister for producing the posters.

Vigil spokesman Ephraim Tapa expressed his admiration for the bravery of those confronting the regime. He said an injury to one was an injury to us all. Stendrick Zvorwadza of our partner organization Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe (ROHR) said change could only come about through people standing up for their rights. He said that his deputy in Zimbabwe Tichanzii Gandanga was abducted on Tuesday and found in the bush 80 miles East of Harare on Thursday very badly injured.  Apparently he was forced to lie down on the road and then his abductors drove over his legs four times.  He is now in hospital in Harare . 

The Vigil and ROHR resolved that next week's Vigil will be dedicated to our suffering, abused, star ved and tortured brothers and sisters in Zimbabwe . We will be their voice and will run a petition calling on President Mbeki to intervene to stop the violence because we believe that only South Africa can bring it to an end.

One of our supporters had a chilling experience at the Zimbabwe Embassy. She lost her Zimbabwean passport and had to visit the Embassy to get it replaced. She was thoroughly interrogated and shown a photograph of herself at the Vigil.

FOR THE RECORD: 160 signed the register.

 

Zimbabwe Vigil Diary – 19 th April 2008

Zimbabwean musicians protesting against Mugabe, the Zimbabwean Embassy invaded and the Africa Union challenged. A busy week in London .

Three days of demonstrations outside the Embassy culminated in the relaunch of the Vigil's petition calling for action against the Southern African Development Community for their failure to hold Mugabe to agreed election protocols. It reads: “ A Petition to European Union Governments: We record our dismay at the failure of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to help the desperate people of Zimbabwe at their time of trial. We urge the UK government and the European Union in general to suspend government to government aid to all 14 SADC countries until they abide by their joint commitment to uphold human rights in the region. We suggest that the money should instead be used to feed the star ving in Zimbabwe .”

We want to make clear that the aid we want stopped is not humanitarian aid but balance of payments support. If Zimbabwe 's neighbours are giving support to the Mugabe dictatorship they must share the burden of suffering with the people of Zimbabwe , who will need ever-increasing food supplies from abroad because of the disastrous regime.

Several well-known musicians joined the Vigil to protest against the illegal recounting of votes in 23 constituencies, among them Lucky Moyo, formerly of Black Unfolozi, and Willard Karanga, formerly with Thomas Mapfumo's band. The music was brilliant and drew in many passers-by despite the cold weather. The message was ‘we want change'.

Vigil supporters were also out in force on Friday for a demonstration organised by Action for Southern Africa , the successor to the Anti-Apartheid Movement, to mark Zimbabwe 's Independence Day. It was attended by Stendrick Zvorwadza of our partners Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe (ROHRZim). He said it was not a true Independence Day at all -- independence meant freedom and Zimbabweans were worse off than under the Smith regime. The protest was attended by about 150 people including a number of trade union leaders. There were also representatives of Zimbabwean youth groups who earlier that day had invaded a meeting in London addressed by Vice President Ali Mohamed Shein of Tanzania, which is the current chair of the AU. They challenged him about the organisation's attitude to Zimbabwe .

The day before, on Thursday, the MDC in the UK staged a protest against the rigged elections outside the Embassy and South Africa House. Earlier in the week, on Tuesday, the Zimbabwe Embassy itself had been invaded by a group of Zimbabweans – all ladies except for one brave man.

We have had massive media coverage in an unprecedented expression of interest in the Zimbabwe situation. It doesn't surprise us that the Vigil makes up the bulk of 39 people in the UK reportedly targeted by the CIO to be dealt with. Note to Happyton Bonyongwe (head of the CIO): one of your operatives seems to have photographed a page of the Vigil register. He is not really earning his money.

FOR THE RECORD: over 200 signed the register.

FOR YOUR DIARY:

•  Saturday, 26 th April 2008 , 2 – 6 pm . Next Glasgow Vigil. Venue: Argyle Street Precinct. For more information, contact: Ancilla Chifamba , 07770 291 150 and Patrick Dzimba, 07990 724 137.  

•  Saturday, 26 th April 2008 , 12 – 2 pm. Bristol Vigil are holding a protest in Bristol City Centre. They write: “ Urgent action For Zimbabwe . Zimbabwe is in distress - Mugabe is stealing the election. Do your part in helping to restore democracy in Zimbabwe .” Contact: Forward 079 19894 900; Morgan 078 762 66915; Dave 0117 9025009 or Jude 078 0130 4439.

•  Wednesday, 30 th April – Saturday, 10 th May. “I will tell” a Christian film festival from Jericho Films ( http://www.jerichofilms.com/festival08/festival.html ). They are inviting Zimbabwe Vigil supporters to take part in discussion panels about 4 of the films: 3 rd May – WORLD UNSEEN (High Holborn) a South African film about racism, relationship and politics. 7 th May – ESCAPE FROM LUANDA ( Greenwich ) a story of the power of music in overcoming adversity after the civil war in Angola . 8 th May – SON OF MAN ( Mayfair ) a South African re-interpretation of the story of Jesus against the backdrop of violence, racism and political abuse. 9 th May – EZRA (Euston) a story about the experience of a child soldier. If you wish to take part please contact Jenny on 07961 371 676, jenny.lee@jerichofilms.com .

 

15 th April 2008

Three days of protest outside the Zimbabwe Embassy, London – 17-19 April

Exiled Zimbabweans and supporters are taking part in three days of demonstrations outside the Zimbabwe Embassy in London in protest at the rigging of the Zimbabwe elections.

1.    T hursday, 17 th April, 10 am – 4 pm . MDC UK is gathering outside the Embassy in protest over Mugabe's undemocratic clinging to power. For more information contact: Jaison Matewu 07816 619 788, Owen Mtombeni 07780 544 181.

2.     Friday, 18 th April, 12.30 - 2 pm. Action for Southern Africa (ACTSA) is calling on supporters to demonstrate for democracy on Zimbabwe 's Independence Day. For more information visit: http://actsa.org/page-1312-DemonstrationforDemocracyinZimbabwe.html . ACTSA will be supported by the trade unions and would really like Vigil support to make it a Zimbabwean protest. We will be there with our banners.

3.     Saturday, 19 th April, 2 – 6 pm . The Vigil will be protesting about the planned recounting of Parlliamentary and Presidential votes by Zanu PF. We will be relaunching our petition calling on EU governments to suspend aid to SADC countries and instead finance the star ving in Zimbabwe . The Vigil's musicians will be taking centre stage. We will have with us Lucky Moyo of Black Umfolozi fame who has made a special request to Zimbabwean musicians in the UK to come to the Vigil and speak out on the situation in Zimbabwe . He says “as much as we may want to be apolitical we are social commentators. We must play a part by reflecting in song what pathways our society has taken over the last 28 years”. His call has been echoed by Willard Karanga, formerly of Thomas Mapfumo's band, who will also be with us. The event will be covered by SW Radio Africa.

The Mugabe regime is unleashing a new campaign of terror and violence on the people of Zimbabwe .

Every day Mugabe remains in power is one more day of suffering.

PLEASE COME AND PROTEST - DON'T LEAVE IT TO OTHERS, COME YOURSELF

IF WE DON'T KEEP UP THE PRESSURE THE WORLD WILL FORGET US

DON'T LET ZIMBABWE BECOME ANOTHER BURMA

WE MUST ALL ACT NOW OR ACCEPT OUR FATE

 

12 th April 2008

There was gloom at Mugabe's moves to prolong his regime. Hail in April matched the lousy situation in Zimbabwe . Our tarpaulin protecting us from the rain was again a source of great entertainment as we prodded it with umbrellas to get rid of pools of water, showering unsuspecting people.

Stendrick Zvorwadza of our partner organization Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe (ROHR Zim) came to the Vigil straight from the airport to give us a first hard account of what is happening at home. He thanked the Vigil for supporting the work of ROHR in its quest to get people to stand up for their human rights. ROHR members were confronting the regime head on and Zimbabweans had responded by voting for the opposition without fear. But Sten warned that Zanu PF was now preparing to unleash terror, torture, violence and hunger. It would not be removed from power without a protest movement that would influence the international community to act. This, he said, was exactly what the ROHR / Vigil family believed in.

A sad reflection of the situation was that Vigil Co-ordinator Dumi Tutani has been busy trying to organize medication for his nephew beaten up by Zanu PF in Harare .

Lucky Moyo of Black Umfolozi fame has invited Zimbabwean musicians in the UK to join him at the Vigil next Saturday, 19 th April to speak out on the situation in Zimbabwe . He says “as much as we may want to be apolitical we are social commentators. We must play a part by reflecting in song what pathways our society has taken over the last 28 years”. Regular Vigil supporter Willard Karanga, formerly of Thomas Mapfumo's band, will be one musician who will support Lucky's initiative.

Before then Vigil supporters will be taking part in a demonstration outside the Embassy marking Independence Day on Friday, 18 th April. The event is organised by Action for Southern Africa , the successor to the Anti-Apartheid Movement. We will be protesting about the way the election has been handled .

Our friends in Glasgow held their second Vigil today. They report a successful afternoon with increased attendance and concern and interest from Scottish passers-by. They are pleased that they now have their own drum.

We are happy to welcome a new Vigil baby. Fortunate Chisvo has had a little girl.

FOR THE RECORD: 136 signed the register.

FOR YOUR DIARY:

•  Friday, 18 th April 2008 , 12 – 2 pm. Demonstration outside the Zimbabwe Embassy London with ACTSA (Action for Southern Africa ) to protest at the way the election has been handled.

•  Saturday, 19 th April 2008 – Zimbabwean musicians in the UK will be joining Lucky Moyo at the Vigil to make their voices heard at this critical time in Zimbabwe .

•  Saturday, 26 th April 2008 , 2 – 6 pm . Next Glasgow Vigil. Venue: Argyle Street Precinct. For more information, contact: Ancilla Chifamba , 07770 291 150 and Patrick Dzimba, 07990 724 137.  

 

5 th April 2008

Zimbabweans from all over the United Kingdom gathered outside the Embassy to express their anger at the manipulation of the voting in the elections. There has been massive publicity about the situation in Zimbabwe and everyone who passed by seemed to be very concerned. The Vigil's posters expressed our supporters' disgust: ‘Mugabe Go Now', Mugabe Stop Rigging'. The Vigil's own President Mugabe – Fungayi Mabhunu in his mask – was on hand to warn people of the perils of voting for Mugabe, handing out ballot papers reading ‘Mugabe for Starvation', ‘Mugabe for Torture' etc. He was again accompanied by Gugu Ndlovu-Tutani playing the first lady who apologized for being late by saying she had been shopping at Harrods. Fungayi's mother saw him on television and sent him a text saying “I've seen u wearing a nice suit and face of that man who is ruining our country – he now going to rule ma dongi kwa zvimba”.

We had several white visitors from Zimbabwe : two ladies said they'd come to the Vigil to find out what people were thinking. A family from the Midlands in Zimbabwe had seen Vigil Co-ordinator Dumi Tutani on Sky TV and came to the Vigil to meet us all. We were also joined by Patrick Dzimba from the Glasgow Vigil. London Vigil supporters were pleased to be able to congratulate him in person for his good efforts last week.

Once again the Vigil was swamped by media. We have been overwhelmed with requests from the media for spokespeople over the past week. Dumi, Ephraim and Rose were in constant demand and Chengetai Mupara appeared on Ben TV. Dennis has had daily calls from Vatican Radio and feels he is going straight to heaven. France 24 TV asked for speakers for debates in French and English. Bonny bravely took on the French debate and found herself taking part in an hour long programme. Luka Phiri featured in an arresting article in the Daily Mirror on Thursday. There are interviews with Ephraim Tapa and Chipo Chaya in a video on the Vigil and SW Radio Africa posted on the VOA website. Check: http://www.voanews.com/english/2008-03-27-voa36.cfm . Clic k on the links at the top to watch the TV report. 

At the end of the Vigil supporters of Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe arrived with food for everyone. There was plenty left over so they fed the homeless in the area as well.

The Vigil has been receiving many messages of support through the trials of the last week. One from a Zimbabwean living in Spain says he has been following what we've been doing for a long time and thanks us for our hard work and persistence. Another is from a Cabindan who we met in Lisbon during the AU/EU summit. He writes “We are with you, we are for the freedom of the people in Zimbabwe ”.

FOR THE RECORD: 190 signed the register.

 

31 st March 2008

Message from the Glasgow Zimbabwe Vigil: “ We star ted the day with great anticipation as we know it was the eagerly awaited Zimbabwe 's general election day and it really was very successful. We'd a great gathering from our fellow Zimbabwean people from in and around Scotland . We had fellow Africans from South Africa as well as Botswana and they very sympathetic with the situation in Zimbabwe . We are very thankful to the Scottish people and all the general public in Scotland who were very sympathetic to the disoriented Zimbabwean in general and made the day a real success. We had a lot of people signing the petitions. The people were singing and dancing to the drum beats of the Zimbabwean echoes. We (vigil) would like to say many regards to all, who made this first ever gathering of this kind to be an instant success.  We say thank you Scotland !” Glasgow pictures have been posted on the Vigil photo website.

 

Zimbabwe Mock Elections – 29th March 2008

About 500 people came to the Vigil for our mock election. We were outside the Embassy from 6 am to 6 pm , with some people joining us from a Prayer Vigil for Zimbabwe at Southwark Cathedral. There was a lot of press interest and while the Vigil was on we had telephone calls from people telling us we were on Sky and BBC television. One supporter summed up the day: “ I was so happy. To me it was real.”

The focus of attention was Fungayi Mabhunu wearing a Mugabe mask and accompanied by Gugu Tutani -Ndlovu as Grace. Fungayi really got into the swing of things, mouthing Mugabe's vitriolic comments about puppet Tsvangirai, prostitute Makoni and the evil British while stuffing the giant ballot box with votes reading ‘Mugabe for Murder', ‘Mugabe for Torture', Mugabe for Starvation' etc. Mugabe's last stunt was to try to hitch a lift to exile in North Korea .

Also much photographed was a dead voter rising from a coffin to cast a vote for Mugabe, who was surrounded by people dressed as soldiers, policemen (particular thanks to Paradzai Mapfumo) and green bombers as well as blinkered election observers from countries such as Sudan, Libya and Russia.

Thanks to the coffin makers, Munetsi Toro and his cousin Albert, and to Choice Matambanadazo and Julius Muguwe, who made the tunics for the election observers. Choice also brought a beautifully iced cake reading ‘Elections 2008 – Mugabe must go'. Thanks to our sister organization Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe (ROHR Zimbabwe) for feeding us with sadza and stew.

We were pleased to have with us a Kenyan, who was very supportive given his country's unfortunate recent election experience. We were also joined by our good supporter from Devon Caroline Witts who brought lovely hessian shopping bags for sale reading ‘Working for a new Zimbabwe ' with our website address. Also good to see our friends from Bristol : Rosemary Baragwanath, Jude Edwards and Mathilda Mudariki, who are still holding regular protests. We hear from Patrick Dzimba and Anceilla Chifamba that the first Glasgow Zimbabwe Vigil went well with 15 supporters turning up including friends from Botswana and South Africa . Passers-by were very supportive.

After the long but exuberant Vigil we adjourned to the Vigil pub to count the votes. The results were:

•  Presidential: Morgan Tsvangirai 273, Simba Makoni 31, Robert Mugabe 10, Langton Tounganga 5.

•  Parliamentary / Senate: MDC (Tsvangirai) 252, MDC (Mutambara) 12, Zanu-PF 8, Independent 12, Other Parties 5

Percentages.

•  Presidential: Morgan Tsvangirai 85.5%, Simba Makoni 10%, Robert Mugabe 3%, Langton Tounganga 1.5%.

•  Parliamentary/Senate: MDC (Tsvangirai) 87%, MDC (Mutambara) 4%, Zanu-PF 3%, Independent 4%, Other Parties 2%.

The votes for Mugabe should be taken with a pinch of salt because they included the ones he stuffed in himself and others coerced by the police or deposited by dead voters. Not everyone voted because they couldn't get near the box because of the crush.

 

22 nd March 2008

It may have been the first day of Spring but weatherwise it was more like Christmas. All the elements were against us – a blustery wind and sleeting showers. It was brilliant that so many people came. A young woman from Sheffield said she was covered in snow when she left home.

In between dancing and singing we practised scenes for the media events we are holding during our Mock Election next Saturday. A big thank you to Choice Matambanadzo and her husband Julius Muguwe who brought two tunics they had made for actors in our photo calls – so we had a dead voter and an election observer from that most democratic of countries, Sudan. They will be bringing more tunics next week.

Also with us was Comrade Mugabe (he can't keep away!) He gave us a preview of how he plans to rig next week's elections by stuffing the ballot box. His army and police force will be on hand to help him – Patson Muzuwa and Charles Masawi brought uniforms.

cold Easter Saturday there were almost more people at the Vigil than on the street. But instead of hurrying by many of them did a double take when they spotted Mugabe and whipped out their cameras.

FOR THE RECORD: 140 signed the register.

FOR YOUR DIARY:

•  Friday, 28 th March, 2.30 – 8.30pm . Vigil of Prayer at Southwark Cathedral on the eve of the elections. Saturday, 29 th March, 9.15 am . Special Eucharist followed by a time of prayer until 11 am . If you wish to lead one of the prayer times on Friday afternoon, please contact Canon Andrew Nunn 0207 367 6727. (The Diocese of Southwark is linked to the Anglican dioceses of Manicaland, Matabeleland and Central Zimbabwe .)

•  Saturday, 29 th March 2008 , 6 am – 6 pm : Zimbabwe Vigil's diaspora polling station and mock ballot.

•  Saturday, 29 th March 2008 , 2 – 6 pm . First Glasgow Vigil. Venue: Argyle Street Precinct. For more information, contact: Ancilla Chifamba , 07770 291 150 and Patrick Dzimba, 07990 724 137.  

•  Saturday, 29 th March 2008 , 12.30 – 2 pm . The Zimbabwean Development Support Association Wales is holding a demonstration in Cardiff at the Bevan Statue, Queen Street , Cardiff . For more information contact Kuchi Cuthbert Makari 07939 721 419 zdsawales@yahoo.co.uk .

•  Sunday 30th March at 7:00 pm. Tongue Tied? Zimbabwean dance company Tumbuka perform at the Cochrane Theatre, Southampton Row WC1B 4AP. For more information see http://www.tonguetied.org.uk . T ickets: £15  Box Office 020 7269 1606 or book online: www.cochranetheatre.co.uk .

 

News Release – 18 th March 2008 – Mock Elections outside Zimbabwe House

Zimbabwean exiles are to stage mock elections outside the Zimbabwe Embassy in London from 6am to 6pm on election day, Saturday 29 th March.

With the elections in Zimbabwe little more than a week away it is already clear that the results will be rigged. Members of the military have been filling in multiple postal votes and the voters' roll is in a shambles. The opposition has been denied access to the mass media and no election monitors are being admitted from the West, which has been feeding millions of people left star ving by Mugabe's murderous rule.

There will be two media events - at 11.00 am and 15.00 pm - which will demonstrate how the elections are being stolen. They will feature the human rights activist Patson Muzuwa, who has appeared on the West End stage, and Fungayi Mubhunu, wearing the Mugabe mask he wore at a demonstration in Lisbon against the attendance of Mugabe at the AU/EU summit last December.

The mock elections are organised by the Zimbabwe Vigil, which has been demonstrating outside the Embassy every Saturday in support of free and fair elections since October 2002.

For further information contact Vigil Co-ordinators Rose Benton (07970 996 003) and Dumi Tutani (07960 039 775).

 

15 th March 2008

Early arrivals at the Vigil were Simba Chipunza and his family (wife Madeline Kucherera and daughter Delmar) all the way from Liverpool . They hitched a ride on a coach carrying demonstrators to a ‘Stop the War' rally in Trafalgar Square ! Ours was more a ‘Stop the Suffering' rally with much anxious discussion about the coming elections.

Supporters of our partners Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe joined us to recruit members for their campaign to empower people in Zimbabwe to stand up for their rights.

We were glad to be joined by Dr Brighton Chireka, a human rights campaigner from the early days of the Vigil and, on his first visit, baby Mandla Mutyambizi-Dewa with his mother Addley. Addley's husband Julius told us that his brother Farai Robert Mutyambizi has been charged with high treason after being returned to Zimbabwe by the German authorities. He said that Farai, an ex-soldier with the Zimbabwean army, has been tortured while in the hands of the Central Intelligence Organisation. Julius is calling for a boycott of the German airline Lufthansa for flying him out of Germany .

On a brighter note, the German news agency Deutsche Welle is showing more compassion for the plight of Zimbabweans. They spent the afternoon with us, mainly filming Vigil Co-ordinator Dumi Tutani who is to feature in a report about Zimbabweans in the diaspora. He led the singing and dancing with his usual exuberance helped by the excellent singing of Thandiwe Ndlovu, another supporter from Liverpool .

Patson Muzuwa and Luka Phiri of the Zimbabwe Association were on hand at the Vigil to give advice to people anxious about their asylum status following reports that many Zimbabweans have received letters from the Home Office advising them to make plans to go home.

We have put the photographs of Vikki Farrell 's big tapestry which expresses what is happening in Zimbabwe on our photo website (see diary of 1 st March 2008 ). Vikki is planning to bring it to Vigil.

After the Vigil, we had another well-attended meeting to finalise plans for our Mock Election on 29 th March. Good ideas were forthcoming for our media stunts and a news release will follow shortly.

FOR THE RECORD: 203 signed the register.

FOR YOUR DIARY:

•  Saturday, 22 nd March, 1pm. Easter Zimbabwe debate at Scarborough Library. Contact: Albert Weidemann (07917 056 093)

•  Friday, 28 th March, 2.30 – 8.30pm . Vigil of Prayer at Southwark Cathedral on the eve of the elections. Saturday, 29 th March, 9.15 am . Special Eucharist followed by a time of prayer until 11 am . If you wish to lead one of the prayer times on Friday afternoon, please contact Canon Andrew Nunn 0207 367 6727. (The Diocese of Southwark is linked to the Anglican dioceses of Manicaland, Matabeleland and Central Zimbabwe .)

•  Saturday, 29 th March 2008 , 6 am – 6 pm : Zimbabwe Vigil's diaspora polling station and mock ballot.

 

8 th March 2008

Singing and toy-toying behind placards reading ‘Dignity! Democracy Zimbabwe ', a stream of people joined the Vigil after a rally down the Strand in Trafalgar Square . The rally was organised by ACTSA (Action for Southern Africa ) on International Women's Day in support of women in Zimbabwe . Among the speakers were Lucia Matibenga, Vice-President of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions, Takavafira Zhou , President of the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe and Maureen Kademaunga , Gender and Human Rights Officer of the Zimbabwe National Students' Union .

Vigil Co-ordinator Dumi Tutani took to the stage singing and dancing along with Vigil supporter Mercy Mwakipesile. But the musical star s were Lucky Moyo and his group. Lucky (of Black Umfolosi fame) joined us at the Vigil afterwards and his magical singing drew in many passers-by including a policeman who sat in his car in the middle of the road to listen to our music. He said it was wonderful.

The three Zimbabwean speakers also joined us and helped make it a special occasion. Our supporters greatly valued the opportunity to speak to them and hear their views in the run-up to the elections.

We were also glad to have with us Martin Karando of the Zimbabwe Solidarity Campaign in Belfast . He had broken his journey to attend the rally and be with the Vigil. The Campaign is to have a photographic exhibition on election violence in Zimbabwe on 15 th March.

As election fever hots up we are being joined by more journalists keen to get background material including the French and German news agencies AFP and Deutsche Welle. A reminder that there will be a meeting after the Vigil on 15 th March to discuss our plans for the election Vigil on 29 th March.

We were happy Lucia Matibenga agreed to talk to us at a specially-arranged meeting after the Vigil. More than 60 people attended and were deeply touched by her talk. She warned us that there was no way the elections could be free and fair. Everything had already been skewed in favour of Zanu-PF. But she said the struggle for change would continue whatever it took. Ms Matibenga spoke of the importance of outside pressure and support and said when she got the Zimbabwean newspaper she turned first to the Vigil diary . . . and looked at the pictures.

We are pleased that a Vigil of Prayer for Zimbabwe is to be held at Southwark Cathedral in London on 28 th March, the eve of the elections. Prayers will be said hourly from 2.30 pm until 8.30 pm , and on election day there will be a special Eucharist at 9.15 followed by a time of prayer until 11 am .

With the ever deteriorating situation at home, we report another sad death. Vigil supporter Yvonne Fombe's mother died on Friday. We grieve with her.

FOR THE RECORD : 243 signed the register.

FOR YOUR DIARY:

•  Monday, 10 th March 2008 at 7.30 pm. Central London Zimbabwe Forum. The speaker is Geoff Hill , author of ‘the Battle for Zimbabwe ' and ‘What happens after Mugabe'. Geoff will give us a pre-election briefing. Venue: Bell and Compass, 9-11 Villiers Street, London, WC2N 6NA, next to Charing Cross Station at the corner of Villiers Street and John Adam Street.

•  Saturday, 15 th March 2008 . Vigil meeting to finalise plans for our mock election on 29 th March.

•  Saturday, 15 th March 2008 , 10 am – 12 noon . Photographic Exhibition on “Elections: a violent event in Zimbabwe ” organised by the Zimbabwe Solidarity Campaign. Contact: Apolonia Mbondiya (02890640533 or 07770854444). Venue : TWN, Unit 10B, Weavers Court , Linfield Road , Belfast .

•  Saturday, 22 nd March, 1pm. Easter Zimbabwe debate organised by Albert Weidemann at Scarborough Library.

•  Friday, 28 th March, 2.30 – 8.30pm . Vigil of Prayer at Southwark Cathedral on the eve of the elections. Saturday, 29 th March, 9.15 am . Special Eucharist followed by a time of prayer until 11 am . If you wish to lead one of the prayer times on Friday afternoon, please contact Canon Andrew Nunn 0207 367 6727. (The Diocese of Southwark is linked to the Anglican dioceses of Manicaland, Matabeleland and Central Zimbabwe .)

•  Saturday, 29 th March 2008 , 6 am – 6 pm : Zimbabwe Vigil's diaspora polling station and mock ballot.

 

1 st March 2008

Four weeks to go: the elections dominated talk at the Vigil. We are phoning home all the time so we know what is happening on the ground. We are determined to make polling day a big occasion in London . We will be outside the Embassy during Zimbabwean voting time and run our own election for the Zimbabwean diaspora. After all, so many Zimbabweans have already voted with their feet that any election that does not take this into account cannot be representative.

It was cheering to be supported by people passing by the Embassy: A group of half a dozen Austrians joined in our singing and dancing and bought our “Make Mugabe History” bracelets. We were also filmed throughout the day by David and Collette from Cinema Action. They are making a film entitled “Lethani Ilizwe Lethu” (Give us back our country). David also played “Nkosi Sikelele” on his penny whistle accompanied by Vigil singers.

Doubt Chimonyo paid tribute to our dear friend Tendai Chshanu who died last week. Vigil supporters were in tears listening to him. We made a collection for her family and prayed for her.

The Vigil team gathered afterwards to discuss our plans for election day. In brief, we decided there would be two media events outside the Embassy, the first at 11.00 and the second at 15.00, both featuring the Mugabe mask we used at the Lisbon summit last December and the giant plastic ballot box we have used at successive elections. We are holding an open meeting on Saturday 15 th March for all who want to be involved.

Our friends in Glasgow, Ancilla Chifamba and Patrick Dzimba, are making progress with their plans to star t a Vigil. They are in touch with the local council which has agreed they can hold a fortnightly Vigil at the Argyle Street Precinct star ting on election day, Saturday, 29 th March. We will keep you informed of times etc.

Vikki Farrell who came to the Vigil on 9 th February has contacted us to say her 5m X 2.5m tapestry / collage to express what is happening in Zimbabwe is now on display at the University of Brighton public gallery in a prominent position. We are asking her for pictures of her tapestry which we will put on the photo website when we get them.

FOR THE RECORD: 175 signed the register.

FOR YOUR DIARY:

•  Monday, 3 rd March 2008 at 7.30 pm. Central London Zimbabwe Forum. Speakers including Adrian Lunga of WEZIMBABWE will debate the chances of the Presidential candidates. Venue: Bell and Compass, 9-11 Villiers Street, London, WC2N 6NA, next to Charing Cross Station at the corner of Villiers Street and John Adam Street.

•  Saturday, 8 th March 2008 , 12 – 1.30 pm . Action for Southern Africa (ACTSA) Rally for Dignity! and Democracy in Zimbabwe on International Women's Day in Trafalgar Square , London . Speakers include: Lucia Matibenga, Vice-President Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions, Takavafira Zhou , President, Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe, Maureen Kademaunga , Gender and Human Rights Officer, Zimbabwe National Students' Union . The rally is followed by the Vigil outside the Zimbabwe Embassy at 14.00 and at 15.30 the Million Women Rise Rally in Trafalgar Square to end violence against women. More information on www.actsa.org .  Please contact campaigns@actsa.org or phone 020 3263 2001 to let ACTSA know if you are coming

•  Saturday, 29 th March 2008 , 6 am – 6 pm : Zimbabwe Vigil's diaspora polling station and mock ballot.

 

26 th February 2008 – Tendai Chishanu RIP

It is with great sadness we announce the death of Vigil supporter and friend of so many of us, Tendai Chishanu . She was hurt in a car accident in December and continued getting headaches through January. After several hospital checks, a scan revealed swelling of the brain. She was given medication but died suddenly on Sunday morning (24 th February). Her child In Zimbabwe died on the same day but Tendai never knew this. She is remembered warmly by many Vigil supporters and we grieve with her family.

 

23 rd February 2008

A cold day marked the end of our sixth February outside the Embassy. Spring is almost here in the UK inspiring us with the promise of renewal and growth. For Mugabe on his 84 th birthday only winter lies ahead. Vigil Co-ordinator Rose shared birthday celebrations with Mugabe. Her celebrations were much lower key, with not a balloon in sight. We shared a cake to mark the occasion and Rose was given a large golden piggy bank by supporter Mary Ndoro. Rose in response to the warm greetings of supporters said ‘Over the years of our protest the Vigil has become a family and I have made many good friends amongst supporters.'

Among those drawn to see the Vigil was an actor in Oscar Wilde's play ‘The Importance of being Earnest' showing just down the road. He said his grandmother in Zimbabwe had been robbed 3 times and beaten. A young woman from the BBC French Africa service joined us to discuss the situation in Zimbabwe . With the elections only a month away it is important to keep up public awareness. We publish on the Vigil website a report by our partners in Zimbabwe , ROHR (Restoration of Human Rights) about their demonstration in Harare last month. As the organizer Sten says ‘Freedom has a price. If need be, I am prepared to pay the price.' We salute our brave comrades at this critical time.

While Patson Muzuwa and Dumi Tutani led the singing and dancing, 14 month-old Zizi Tutani, who has become very mobile, wandered off. Fortunately Arnold Kuwewa noticed his flashing shoes and raced to save him when his ‘walk of death' nearly took him into the busy Strand .

FOR THE RECORD: 125 signed the register.

FOR YOUR DIARY:

•  Monday, 25 th February 2008 at 7.30 pm. Central London Zimbabwe Forum. The forum will discuss action on the elections. Venue: Bell and Compass, 9-11 Villiers Street, London, WC2N 6NA, next to Charing Cross Station at the corner of Villiers Street and John Adam Street.

•  Saturday, 8 th March 2008 , 12 – 1.30 pm . Action for Southern Africa (ACTSA) Rally for Dignity! and Democracy in Zimbabwe on International Women's Day in Trafalgar Square , London . Speakers include: Lucia Matibenga, Vice-President Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions, Takavafira Zhou , President, Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe, Maureen Kademaunga , Gender and Human Rights Officer, Zimbabwe National Students' Union . The rally is followed by the Zimbabwe Vigil outside the Zimbabwean Embassy at 14.00 and at 15.30 the Million Women Rise Rally to end violence against women in Trafalgar Square . More information on www.actsa.org .  Please contact campaigns@actsa.org or phone 020 3263 2001 to let ACTSA know if you are coming

•  Saturday, 29 th March 2008 , 6 am – 6 pm : Zimbabwe Vigil's diaspora polling station and mock ballot.

 

ROHR ZIMBABWE (RESTORATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS) - REPORT ON THE JANUARY 25 DEMONSTRATION

This brief report seeks to record the dedication, commitment and bravery of all ROHR Zimbabwe activists who took part in the January 25 demonstration against human rights affronts to the people of Zimbabwe . We also recognise the support of our partner the Zimbabwe Virgil who have remained steadfast in the fight for the restoration of people's rights and fundamental freedoms. The partnership with the Zimbabwe Vigil has enabled our struggle to take place on many fronts which not only increases the pressure on the oppressive leadership of Zanu PF but helps amplify our voice to the international community

BACKGROUND

ROHR will go undeterred on a national offensive and continue to hold unsanctioned demonstrations across the nation to pressure the government towards levelling the electoral field ahead of the March presidential elections and to desist from intimidating the citizens from expressing their will. We have noticed with grave concern that the dialogue process between the ruling Zanu-PF and the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) has not yielded anything meaningful to help suffering Zimbabweans. The socio-economic and political crisis continues to intensify as we head towards another presidential election. The Mugabe-led ruling party remains unrepentant and continues to strengthen its hold on power at the people's expense.

In particular, the electoral environment remains largely uneven. Further, the government of Zimbabwe has reneged on promises it made to President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa regarding the progressive review of legislation such as AIPPA and POSA and its commitment to introducing democracy. The infrastructure of violence – especially the green bombers -is still intact. Although the youth militia has been demobilized to give an impression of peace and tranquillity prevailing in the country, their presence within communities remains a pillar of Zanu PF's intimidation machinery.

Despite some minor and cosmetic changes which the ZANU PF politburo has introduced such as the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) that is supposed to independently administer elections, the electoral laws remain heavily weighted in favour of the incumbent. Electoral processes and institutions continue to be militarized and politicized.

Our programme of action as ROHR is to counter Zanu PF's strategies to steal the election. We will unleash a series of demonstrations across the nation to achieve the following objectives:

•  Moulding the spirit of resistance amongst the people of Zimbabwe to defend their vote through pockets of demonstrations country wide.

•  Pressuring the government of Zimbabwe to level the electoral field before the elections.

•  Putting Zimbabwe on the agenda through street protest, defying repressive laws such as POSA.

•  Creating awareness of human rights violations, locally, regionally and internationally

•  Ensuring that the citizenry is empowered with relevant information so that they can make informed decisions as to who should govern them.

DEMONSTRATION

The recently held march had great impact and the response has been overwhelming. Over 200 people participated. 26 people were arrested, including Sten Zvorwadza. 24 Activists were brutally and mercilessly assaulted by the Zimbabwean police turned Zanu-PF agents of oppression. The wounded spent more than 10 hours at Harare central holding cells. They were released around 23.00 hrs and rushed to a clinic. Chairman Tichanzii Gandanga was released the same Friday but Sten Zvorwadza had to spend the whole weekend languishing in the cells.

The demonstration marks another stage in our action plan and we are set to increase the number of participants in the demonstrations to come. We are encouraged by the spirit shown by Zimbabweans to commit and take part in the process to fight for their freedoms.

IMPACT ASSESSMENT

•  The demonstration boosted the people's confidence and courage in the fight for human rights. The general public is calling at our offices to find out when we are holding our next demonstration.

•  The demonstration helped to expose that no change has been brought about by the SADC talks.

•  It managed to expose that the ruling party is unwilling to create a conducive environment for a free and fair election come 29 th March. The arrest and brutal assault of members who took part in the demonstration is a clear indication that the state is still bent on using the police and army to intimidate and instil fear in the general public.

•  The demonstration attracted wide media coverage. We got coverage from local, regional and international organisations such as the Zimbabwean, the Standard, SW Radio Africa, VOA Africa Radio, to mention but a few.

•  We got positive feedback from various stakeholders. We received phone calls from embassies including the Norwegians, Dutch, Danish, British, Americans and many others.

•  Increased our networking capacity. Numerous organisations volunteered support in different ways after the demonstration – to mention but a couple, Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition and Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights.

THE WAY FORWARD

•  Our greatest challenge is putting together adequate resources to ensure that our plan will not leave our participants exposed at the hands of the merciless illegitimate government. We require funding in the following areas:

•  Transport expenses in mobilising people to the venue of action and back to their homes.

•  Production of campaign material in the form of banners, placards, posters etc.

•  Refreshments for the participants

•  Transport logistics for the casualties

•  Medication expenses to supplement the available facilities.

•  Transport fees for patients attending reviews/check ups

ROHR Bank Account

Donations can be paid into our UK bank account:

Bank: Barclays

Sort Code: 20-46-60

Account Name: ROHR Zimbabwe

Account Number: 20204870

16 th February 2008

The Vigil was joined by activists from WOZA (Women of Zimbabwe Arise). They helped us tell passers-by about the trials and tribulations in Zimbabwe . Lois Davies of WOZA UK has just arrived back from Zimbabwe and gave us a first hand account of the recent Valentine's Day demonstrations by WOZA. It seems that the police in Bulawayo did not want to break up the WOZA demonstration as they appeared on the scene after the demonstrators had dispersed. Protesters in Harare were not so lucky.

We're glad to say that Sten Zvorwadza of our partner organisation Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe (ROHR Zimbabwe) has been released from custody and is recovering from his beating by the Zimbabwe authorities. He says he is being closely watched.

On a bitterly cold day we were warmed by our common determination to continue our protest until there is change in Zimbabwe . We discussed our plan to be outside the Embassy from 6 am to 6 pm on Election Day, 29 th March. Come and vote at the Vigil Polling Station, probably the only one where the ballot will not be rigged.

Several supporters of the Vigil are to attend a church service on Sunday addressed by the new Bishop of Harare, Sebastian Bakare, at St Mary's Church, Speldhurst in Kent . Bishop Bakare is expected to talk about the travails of his diocese, where the former Bishop, Norbet Kunonga, a Mugabe supporter, is refusing to relinquish authority.

FOR THE RECORD: 195 signed the register.

FOR YOUR DIARY:

•  Monday, 18 th February 2008 at 7.30 pm. Central London Zimbabwe Forum. Political analyst Dr Magonya, a former treasurer of Imbovane Yamahlabezulu, is joined on the panel by an MDC activist to discuss the Makoni / Mutambara alliance and other issues to do with the presidential race. Venue: d ownstairs function room of the Bell and Compass, 9-11 Villiers Street , London , WC2N 6NA , next to Charing Cross Station at the corner of Villiers Street and John Adam Street .

•  Friday, 22 nd February 2008 at 7.30 pm .An evening with the former Zimbabwean cricketer Henry Olonga. In co-operation with Teddington-based international relief organisation Tearfund, Henry will be performing his music and talking about Zimbabwe . Tickets at £5 available from Tearfund or at the door. Venue: Teddington Baptist Church , Church Road , Teddington , TW11 8PF . For further information and tickets please contact: Tim Creber (020 7745 7357, 07731 446 868), Jonathan Spencer (020 8943 7901), Matthew Hancock (07756 114 405).

•  Saturday, 29 th March 2008 , 6 am – 6 pm : Zimbabwe Vigil's diaspora polling station and mock ballot.

 

10 th February 2008

News Release from the Zimbabwe Vigil

The Zimbabwe Vigil says that the leader of its partner organisation, Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe (ROHR Zimbabwe), has again been detained by police in Harare . The Vigil said it had received a text message from ROHR leader Stendrick Zvorwadza today. It read “ I have been brutalized by soldiers and arrested for saying Zanu PF is causing the suffering of Zimbabweans. I am in police custody and am in pain. Have been denied treatment. Despite all this, my spirit for fighting for our rights is getting stronger by day.” Sten was held for several days last month after speaking at a gathering of some 200 supporters.

 

9 th February 2008

Warm spring-like weather cheered everyone. The sun shone brightly and here we were in Vigil t-shirts in the middle of winter. It made us feel perhaps miracles would happen in Zimbabwe as well.

No sooner had we set up our banners and posters than a passer-by asked us ‘Why aren't you doing this in Zimbabwe '. We were able to say we are doing this in Zimbabwe through our partners ROHR (Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe ), who are campaigning bravely for freedom and justice. There was another meeting today to discuss how we in the UK diaspora can further support their efforts.

Next Saturday we are hosting a demonstration by the UK branch of WOZA (Women of Zimbabwe Arise). Their message is: "This year WOZA will be dedicating their Valentine's Day actions to the children of Zimbabwe and saying: Our education system is being allowed to collapse and our children's future is being sacrificed on the altar of political power by a bunch of corrupt, insensitive, selfish thieves. Can we continue to keep quiet whilst our children are robbed of their future?”

One of our supporters is also hosting the new Anglican Bishop of Harare , Sebastian Bakare, who will be in Britain on a short visit. We know how tight his schedule is, but we are inviting him to the Vigil next week to tell us about the confrontation with Mugabe's Bishop Kunonga, whose outrageous behaviour has distressed Anglicans around the world.

We were pleased to have with us Vikki Farrell , who visited Zimbabwe in 2006 and is creating a 5m X 2.5m tapestry / collage to express what is happening in Zimbabwe . She was delighted at the energy of the Vigil and she took photos which will feature in the piece, which will be on display at the University of Brighton public gallery from 3 rd to 5 th March.

There was a ripple of excitement at the Vigil when a white van bearing the words “Freight forwarding to Zimbabwe and other African states” pulled up outside the Embassy. But no, the staff of the Embassy did not get in. They do not seem to have any desire to forego the fleshpots of London for the potholes of Harare .

Not that they aren't kept busy. Embassy staff and other Mugabe supporters were out in force at two high profile meetings in London this week also attended by Vigil supporters. The first, organised by a think tank, the Global Strategy Forum, was held on Tuesday at the National Liberal Club. It was chaired by the former Africa Minister, Chris Mullen, MP. We were appalled that the Mugabe apologist George Shire was invited to speak. He claims to be an independent-minded academic but we pointed out at the meeting that he had been the mainstay of a pro-Mugabe demonstration at the Lisbon AU / EU summit last December, supported by young ladies who could speak no English or any Zimbabwean languages. Mr Shire blustered that the African Union was obliged to provide a counter demonstration to the anti-Mugabe protesters (us)!

A Zimbabwean stood up and said ‘I am 68 years old. I fought in the .Liberation War. I am a supporter of Mugabe.' The same gentleman gave the same odd little speech at a seminar on Zimbabwe organised by the Royal United Services Institute Africa Programme on Thursday. The Vigil knows that a huge proportion of the Zimbabwean budget goes to maintain the Mugabe's propaganda offensive – but this was risible. People found it difficult to keep a straight face.

It was good to have Chipo Chaya back with us today after her bereavement and illness. Her hard work has been greatly missed. She asked us to pass on her thanks for all the support she got from her friends at the Vigil.

FOR THE RECORD: 213 signed the register.

FOR YOUR DIARY:

•  Saturday, 16 th February 2008 , 2 – 4 pm – outside the Zimbabwe Embassy, London . WOZA Valentine's Day Action.

•  Saturday, 29 th March 2008 , 6 am – 6 pm – Zimbabwe Vigil's diaspora polling station and mock ballot.

 

2 nd February 2008

A cold day with a bitter wind from the North. But crushed together between the maple trees, the dancing and singing kept us warm. We had people down from Manchester and Liverpool where it was snowing and also an old friend from Newcastle , Fanuel Kapumha, who brought his own (very superior) drum. Also with him was Jerry Mtolela, another musician from the early days. Fanuel now has something of a Geordie accent.

We were relieved to hear from Sten of our partner Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe (ROHR Zimbabwe) that he had been released from custody on Monday. A text message from him today read “The whole country has no electricity. We are in total darkness. The government continues to lie to the people about the electricity situation. The truth is that ‘failure to govern Zimbabwe ' is the sole cause. Police brutality is getting worse with each passing day. Zanu PF is once again using intimidatory tactics to rig the forthcoming imposed election. If the MDC goes for the election they are wasting people's time. We want real change not just change.” Other news from Zimbabwe has been sent to us by Forward, a journalist living in the UK . It was so graphic we have put the whole email on our diary (see below).

Patson Muzuwa from Leicester led the singing and drumming and announced the Vigil plans for election day on 29 th March. The Vigil has booked the space outside the Embassy from 6 am that morning and plans to set up a polling station and conduct a mock ballot that day. More information about this as plans develop. All Zimbabweans and sympathizers welcome. We have reliable information that Mr Mugabe will be there himself as he was at our demo in Lisbon . He will show the media how to stuff a ballot box.

We are happy to host a demonstration for Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) organised by WOZA UK . They plan Valentine's action from 1 – 3 pm on Saturday, 16 th February. Come early to support our brave friends in WOZA.

News from friends around the UK . The Zimbabwe Solidarity Campaign in Belfast held a Vigil outside City Hall today from 1pm to 3pm . The Vigils are now held monthly, on the first Saturday of every month. Our friends in Bristol report that they are still holding Vigils. The last one was on 26 th January. Patrick Dziba and his wife Maud who have made heroic efforts to get to the Vigil recently phoned this morning to say they had called a meeting with Zimbabweans in Glasgow to map a way forward to star t a Vigil in Glasgow . We look forward to hearing about their plans.

A new role for the Vigil. We have Geordie Zimbabweans but today came a black British actor, Nicholas Bailey (of Eastenders), who is to play Mugabe's bodyguard in a production of “Breakfast with Mugabe” in the Ustinov Theatre in Bath from 22 nd February – 22 nd March (http:// www .theatreroyal.org.uk/). He was worried that Zimbabweans in the audience would laugh at his Zimbabwean accent and his pronunciation of Shona so sensibly he came to the Vigil for some coaching.

Here is the email from Zimbabwe mentioned above: “Hope you're fine. We're struggling. Now as you must have heard we're signing $10billion cheques bro! The RTGS is 'allegedly' offline, so individuals and companies have had their cheque limits raised from $500 million to a whopping $10 billion. Not that it is really a lot of money. Looks bad, but its getting worse and we can't even imagine how deeper we have to sink before things star t getting better. Prices of virtually everything have again gone up no less than two-fold since last week! We bought a quart of Castle lager for $3 million last week then $6 million on Tuesday and $7million yesterday! Civil servants who received even up to 6000% increments in some instances are galloping back to square one barely two months after the increments and who knows when the next pay rise is going to be! Basic commodities continue to be in short supply. In fact the economy is crumbling right in our eyes and we are helpless. Now we are headed for yet another disputed election which literally means a deeper catastrophe! And our rural folk are so scared of the ruling party the only political discussion you hear them partake in is about the Zanu PF primaries, as if thats the beginning and the end of the election. You ask them if they do not see how their lives have changed they collectively tell you not to put them in trouble by getting them to discuss anything to do with the MDC. But one by one they will tell you how much they have been threatened. The tragedy is that they are so convinced and they really believe it would be known and they would be in deep shit if they do anything outside Zanu PF, no matter how much they are also aware how that same Zanu PF has messed their lives and their children's. They have wounds and graves to show to justify their fear. They say its better to suffer alive than to see and endure what they have already seen and especially what they have been 'promised' this time round. What with chiefs driving brand new Mazdas filled with free fuel; new tractors which they fleece villagers with (they charge for tillage and pocket the money). And headmen have their new scotch-carts, ploughs, harrows, seed, fertilizer, etc. Agriculturally my brother, Zimbabwe is headed, not for a Mother of all Agricultural Seasons but the Grandmother of all Agricultural Disasters! Even the oldest granny in the rural areas tells you we are facing a dreadful drought. Crops are all waterlogged, most of them a complete right off! God help us. Sorry to take so much of your time updating you. But there is so much more happening everywhere you look. People no longer know how or where to adjust their lifestyles to! “

FOR THE RECORD: 217 signed the register.

FOR YOUR DIARY:

•  Monday 4 th February at 7.30 pm. Central London Zimbabwe Forum. A speaker from the Zimbabwe NGO Human Rights Forum will update us on the recent AU meeting in Addis Ababa . This week's venue is t he Strand Continental Hotel, 143 The Strand, WC2R 15A. Directions: The Strand is the same road as the Vigil. From the Vigil it's about a 10 minute walk, in the direction away from Trafalgar Square . The Strand Continental is situated between Somerset House and the turn off onto Waterloo Bridge . The entrance is a doorway onto the street, with a big sign high above indicating it is the Hotel Strand Continental and a sign for its famous Indian restaurant at street level. It's next to a newsagent.

•  Saturday, 16 th February 2008 , 1 – 3 pm outside the Zimbabwe Embassy, London . WOZA Valentine's Day Action.

•  Saturday, 29 th March 2008 , 6 am – 6 pm outside the Zimbabwe Embassy, London . Zimbabwe Vigil's diaspora polling station and mock ballot.

 

26 th January 2008

Taking today into account, our average attendance this month has been more than 250. This must reflect growing anxiety about the situation in Zimbabwe . Two-hundred-and-fifty people phoning home gives us a lot of information and we know conditions on the ground are not ready for free and fair elections.

Stendrick Zvorwardza of our partner, Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe (ROHR Zimbabwe), is – as we write this – still in custody. He was leading a group of 200 ROHR supporters in a demonstration in Harare on Friday carrying banners demanding peace, justice and freedom. Riot police pounced but the demonstrators joined hands and sang. The police were uncertain how to act as this behaviour took them by surprise so they ordered them to stop singing. The order was ignored and the police star ted beating people. The protesters asked ‘Why are you beating us?' and refused to disperse until they had been addressed by Sten. He was allowed to speak for 30 minutes before the group dispersed. It was then that the police arrested Sten and others.

ROHR is non-party political and is trying to encourage people to stand up for their human rights. We salute our brave friends who took part in this demonstration for freedom. We know that 23 of you were seriously injured including 2 ladies with broken arms. We hope your suffering will help in the creation of a new Zimbabwe .

At a busy Vigil we badly missed Chipo Chaya of the management team, who is always with us helping with merchandise and other Vigil matters. Following the death of her 25 year old brother she was in hospital with high blood pressure from stress. We joined to send her some support at her time of trouble.

We were glad to have with us Paul Jira who has been through a tough time. He arrived about eight months ago on false papers and was immediately sent to prison. About a week ago he was transferred to Dover Detention Centre. He was released today and came straight to the Vigil.

During the Vigil it was noticed that one person signed in for three. The question of possible fraudulent signing of the register was discussed at a management meeting held after the Vigil. We already have two people with general oversight of the register table but with the enormous number of people we are now getting we have to tighten procedures. It was agreed that from the end of February (to allow time for this to get around) the register would be closed at 5 pm . The rationale was that many people had been seen coming and signing at the very end of the Vigil. It has been suggested that some people attend the Vigil for the minimum time available in order to use it to advance their asylum claim. The Vigil management team discussed their policy on supporting asylum seekers and reaffirmed our existing procedure. People get letters about their support for the Vigil after completing 6 signed attendances with some leeway for those living far away, eg Scotland .

The Vigil management team is made up of people who are long-term and active supporters of the Vigil. People are invited to join when tasks need to be done. The team affirmed that the Vigil is a coalition of those who support our mission statement “ 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 by the current regime in Zimbabwe . The Vigil which  star ted in October 2002 will continue until internationally-monitored, free and fair elections are held in Zimbabwe .” We agreed that the Vigil is non-party political.

FOR THE RECORD: 172 signed the register.

FOR YOUR DIARY: Monday 28 th January at 7.30 pm. Central London Zimbabwe Forum. Elliot Pfebve , former MDC parliamentary candidate for Bindura, will speak about how elections are rigged in Zimbabwe . Venue: d ownstairs function room of the Bell and Compass, 9-11 Villiers Street , London , WC2N 6NA , next to Charing Cross Station at the corner of Villiers Street and John Adam Street .

 

25 th January 2008

News Release from the Zimbabwe Vigil

The Zimbabwe Vigil says that the leader of its partner organisation, Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe (ROHR Zimbabwe), has been detained by police in Harare . The Vigil said it had received a text message from ROHR leader Stendrick Zvorwadza at about 5 pm today UK time (Friday, 25/1). It read “arrested and under interrogation, have been detained 4 hours so far”. The Vigil tried to phone him but the phone was not answered. Eventually at 11 pm UK time Sten picked up his phone. He reported he was still in police custody in a cell with 200 others. Other ROHR activists had been beaten up following a protest today but were now out on bail. Sten was hopeful that with the help of lawyers he would be out on bail on Saturday when we hope to speak to him again The Vigil says conversation with him was difficult because he was exhausted by his ordeal.

 

19 th January 2008

A massive and very busy Vigil. We estimate that at least 500 were there, filling the entire piazza outside Ziimbabwe House. Among them were MDC members who had marched from Trafalgar Square behind a huge banner “Zimbabweans want free and fair elections 2008”. The banner was donated to us and it will be a centrepiece of our Vigils in the weeks leading up to the elections. There was a huge queue to sign the register and it will be some days before it is fully processed. Gugu Ndlovu-Tutani, one of our register monitors, had to remonstrate with one lady who wanted to sign in for others. As Gugu explained, we are in the UK now and this sort of fixing is not acceptable.

The big turn-out was a wonderful publicity opportunity but unfortunately there were no press with us because of a lack of consultation between our visitors and the Vigil. What a waste! We could have promoted this to our extensive media list. It was by far the biggest demonstration that we know of held outside the Zimbabwe Embassy and made an important statement at this crucial time in Zimbabwe . Despite mischievous reports on some Zimbabwean websites it was a very harmonious Vigil, everyone giving a fair hearing to others. For us all it was a wonderful opportunity to meet and embrace other Zimbabweans, to sing and dance together in the traditional Zimbabwean way….. with a minimum of speechifying.

Story of the day: one lady asked the Vigil to write a letter to help her renew her Zimbabwean passport. We are touched that she had such faith in us but explained it was likely to be a disadvantage on this matter!

Highlight of the day: at the end of the Vigil the entire piazza was taken over by people holding hands to sing the national anthem in love of our country and our people.

Among us was a Zimbabwean who had spent 7 months in Yarlswood Detention Centre and had been released on bail reporting to the police twice a week. The Vigil supports any campaign to allow asylum seekers to work and contribute to the British economy and we are glad that this question is rising up the political agenda in this country.

Great to have Dr Brighton Chireka with us today. Brighton has been a committed activist and has launched a medical scheme to help the sick in Zimbabwe . He promises to join us again on a regular basis and we welcome him back. We also noticed among our supporters Peter Tatchell. We are always glad when this committed activist joins us.

Grateful thanks to the courteous policemen who helped tactfully to manage the throng.

After the Vigil we were briefed from Zimbabwe by Sten of our partner organization Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe . He said there was a blackout in the whole of Harare (we know see that it was the whole country according to SW RADio Africa) and the currency situation is worsening, with people sleeping by bank machines. Roads have huge potholes and people are lucky to get two meals a day. He himself had gone to bed hungry because he couldn't build a fire in the pouring rain to cook his sadza.

We were glad to see a profile of Vigil Co-ordinator Dumi Tutani in the important London Observer newspaper. In a review of protests, the newspaper describes us as the largest regular demonstration in London ( http://observer.guardian.co.uk/review/story/0,,2243558,00.html ). We reprint the interview here:

Dumi Tutani, 38 – The singer

In 2001 Tutani co-founded the Zimbabwe Vigil which meets weekly outside Zimbabwe House at 429 Strand , and has become the largest regular demonstration in London .

He's an easy man to find. Head to the Strand on a Saturday afternoon ( 2-6pm ), come rain or shine, and look for the man leading a crowd in song.

The Zimbabwe vigils star ted six years ago with five people, and now attract around 100 a week.

'We thought if we tell the people in the street that their tax money is going to prop up dictators, they will demand change,' says the soft-spoken musician. Singing, drumming and stomping toyi-toyi dancing were a natural accompaniment. 'Back home wherever a few people gather, be it a funeral, a wedding or just working in the fields, then we sing.'

Tutani fled the persecution suffered by members of Zimbabwe 's leading opposition party, the Movement for Democratic Change, and arrived in London in 2001. He lives in West Norwood , south London , with his wife and one-year-old son, Zizi, and got his immigration papers last month.

It's impossible to protest in Zimbabwe . The Public Order and Security Act means a handful of civilians standing together is a public order offence. Demonstrators are regularly beaten by baton-wielding policemen, and sometimes even shot.

'The Zimbabwe Embassy is the closest we can get to Robert Mugabe,' says Tutani. 'The situation is getting consistently worse. People don't have access to medicine, clean water, basic food or education: people are dying every day. We have to raise awareness until there are free elections.'

The vigil is portable, too, flying to Lisbon for the EU-Africa heads of state summit last month, where, amid a throng of protesters, the all-singing, all-dancing Zimbabweans gained widespread attention. Mugabe was furious to be upstaged, and his mouthpiece, the Herald newspaper, bitterly denounced the protesters as puppets of the UK government.

Elections are scheduled for March but they are unlikely to be free or fair or monitored by the international community.

'They're a sham. People in the diaspora are not allowed to vote, opposition parties are not allowed to campaign, there are no international observers on the ground,' says Tutani. 'We're not going anywhere.
The Central London Zimbabwe Forum meets as usual at 7.30 pm on Monday, 21 st January. This week's venue is t he Strand Continental Hotel, 143 The Strand, WC2R 15A. Directions: The Strand is the same road as the Vigil. From the Vigil its about a 10 minute walk, in the direction away from Trafalgar Square . The Strand Continental is situated between Somerset House and the turn off onto Waterloo Bridge . The entrance is a doorway onto the street, with a big sign high above indicating it is the Hotel Strand Continental and a sign for its famous Indian restaurant at street level. It's next to a newsagent.

 

17 th January 2008

Vigil faces bully-boy tactics

The Vigil has contacted Charing Cross Police about threats to disrupt the Vigil on Saturday. The following is our confirmatory email to them. “ To confirm our conversation today about the demonstrations on Saturday: We suspect the group behind the rival demonstration is responsible for a campaign to misinform our supporters that the Vigil has been cancelled and as you know the Vigil is going ahead as usual this Saturday. This group has refused to co-operate with the Vigil and has drawn up a programme which they seek to impose on us.  It is like allowing the Socialist Workers' Party to stage a demonstration at a Labour Party gathering.  We will do our best to ensure that the day passes peacefully but fear that they are trying to disrupt us.  They talk of bringing a thousand people but we suspect that - like the supposed presence of the Archbishop of York - this is just fantasy (we have it on good authority that the Archbishop will not be in London this Saturday). Anyway, we will be grateful for a police presence. As you know we have asked for this very seldom in going on six years. Thank you for your help and support during this long campaign.”

 

12 th January 2008

To our surprise, several supporters were hugged by passers-by. It's a great way to keep warm, although it wasn't a particularly cold day for this time of year. It turns out that the “free huggers” were practicing for National Hugging Day on 21 st January: yet another whacky phenomenon in the bizarre kaleidoscope of British life.

Who, for instance, would have expected – while we were singing our demands for freedom – that a red double-decker bus would drive past with on its side the slogan “Don't forget to register to vote”! If only we could . . . .

A Zimbabwean group say they are to hold a demonstration outside the Embassy next Saturday afternoon in support of the diaspora vote. It would have been good to consult us as we have been here every Saturday going on 6 years. Anyway we are quite happy to give them a free hug – especially if they are not behind the emails and telephone calls received by our supporters saying that next week's Vigil has been called off. It would appear that the Vigil is coming under increased attack since the success of our lobbying in Lisbon .

We can assure our supporters that the Vigil, as always, will be out there demanding free and fair elections. This is in line with the request by the MDC Tsvangirai Secretary for Information, Nelson Chamisa, who said that this should be the main drive for the diaspora. As for the diaspora vote, the Vigil sees little point in talking to the Zimbabwe Embassy .We will be putting our concerns about this to South Africa House, which is a more vulnerable pulse to press.

Another good attendance with marvelous singing and drumming and some star musicians among them. As always, we were humbled by people traveling long distances to be with us. Take Patrick Dzimba, for example. He lives in Glasgow in Scotland and caught a coach at 11 pm on Friday so he could be with us. When we said goodbye to him he headed off to Victoria Coach Station to catch a bus for 11.30 for his 8 hour journey home. Coaches are the cheapest form of transport. It was great to have you with us, Patrick. We are putting him in touch with one of our long-term supporters, Ancilla Chifamba, who has recently moved to Glasgow and wants to star t a Vigil there.

Finally, our commiserations to Chipo Chaya of the Vigil co-ordinating team whose only brother has died suddenly in England . He came from Zimbabwe about a month ago on a visit. We grieve with you, Chipo.

FOR THE RECORD: 197 signed the register. Supporters from Ashford, Basildon , Bedford , Birmingham , Brighton , Byfleet., Cambridge, Cambridge, Compton Lancing, Coventry, Crawley, Derby, Glasgow, Guildford, Huddersfied, Ilford, Leeds, Leicester, Liverpool, Luton, Manchester, Milton Keynes, Northampton, Oxford, Portsmouth, Reading, Romford, Sheffield, Southampton, Southend, St Albans, Stevenage, Swindon, Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells, Walsall, Westcliff-on-Sea, Woking, Wolverhampton and many from London and environs.

FOR YOUR DIARY: Monday 14 th January at 7.30 pm. Central London Zimbabwe Forum. This week forum discusses how best the diaspora can support the upcoming elections. Venue: d ownstairs function room of the Bell and Compass, 9-11 Villiers Street , London , WC2N 6NA , next to Charing Cross Station at the corner of Villiers Street and John Adam Street .

 

5 th January 2008

The events in Kenya cast a shadow over the Vigil. There are so many resonances . . . . . a stolen election, power-obsessed President , corruption . . . . It was alarming to see how patience could snap leading to a bloodbath. We pray Kenya will be a warning in time for Zimbabwe .

Over 200 people attended our first Vigil of 2008. After piercing cold during the week, we feared the worst but escaped with comparatively mild weather and none of the threatened rain.

People discussed the story in the media this week about Britain importing fish from Zimbabwe . In case you have not heard, the London Daily Mail newspaper discovered that the Waitrose supermarket chain was importing fillets of tilapia fish from Kariba. The paper asked us what we thought about this and we said how distasteful it was to take food from hungry Zimbabwean mouths. The Mayor of Kariba, John Houghton, has now insisted that the business is above board, benefiting local people. The Vigil is glad to hear this. There are no British sanctions against Zimbabwe so it is quite legal for British companies to import Zimbabwean products. Our concern is that such trade should not be a cover for Zanu-PF corruption. Vigil supporters agreed that we should not target Waitrose on this matter unless evidence showed this.

Our English schoolgirl supporter, Francesca, who is tireless in campaigning for Zimbabwe , received a letter this week from the Archbishop of York, John Sentamu, in which he says “Please be assured of my continuing prayers for the people of Zimbabwe and for all those who pray, march and protest to help resolve this desperate situation.” Dr Sentamu, from Kampala , recently cut up his dog collar in protest at Mugabe's human rights abuses. We are planning to ask the Archbishop to accept our petition to pass on to the UN Secretary-General. The petition reads “ We are deeply disturbed at the deteriorating situation in Zimbabwe . It seems as if the international community does not care that a rogue government can hold its people hostage. In the past six years up to a quarter of the population have fled the country. Half of those remaining face star vation. Any dissent is stamped on. The UN's special envoys have seen this for themselves and condemned the regime. We urge the UN Security Council to take measures to help free the suffering people of Zimbabwe . ”

Kenya , Kariba, Kampala . . . . but closer to home for us was the birth of a baby boy, Mandla, to Julius Mutyambizi and Addley Nyamutaka last Saturday. We were all so surprised as we had been kept in the dark about the pregnancy, understandably given the tragic still-birth of their first son a year ago. We rejoice with them.

FOR THE RECORD: 202 signed the register. Supporters from Ashford, Basildon , Bedford , Belvedere, Birmingham , Bolton , Bradford , Braintree , Brighton , Byfleet, Cambridge . Chelmsford , Coventry , Dagenham, Guildford , Harlow , Haroldwood, Hatfield, Hertford, Huntingdon. Ilford, Kettering, Leeds, Leicester, Liverpool, Loughborough, Luton, Milton Keynes, Newcastle, Northampton, Nottingham, Oxford, Portsmouth, Reading, Redditch, Romford, Sittingbourne, Slough, Southampton, Southend, Stevenage, Tunbridge Wells, Walsall, Woking, Wolverhampton, Worthing and many from London and environs.

 

Feedback from the Lisbon Trip – 3 rd January 2008

The Vigil was fortunate to get enough funding to take a big group to Lisbon to protest against Mugabe at the AU / EU Summit . The group (Ephraim Tapa, Kudzai Rangarirai, Wiz Bishop, Adella Chiminya, Dumi Tutani, Willie Chitima, Guy Benton, Farayi Madzamba. Fungayi Mabhunu, Anna Meryt, Charles Gomedza, Judith Matsvairo, Priscilla Mugwagwa, Mike Bennett, Elliot Pfebve , Sanderson Makombe, Dennis Benton, Rose Benton, Themba Moyo, Victoria Chitsiga, Stendrick Zvorwadza, Dorcas Nkomo, Tichaona Gozvo, Racheal Lupafya) were a great team. We were accompanied by Lance Guma of SW Radio Africa. It was only at the last minute that we were joined Dumi whose passport arrived the day before we traveled, and Stendrick, who for visa reasons had to travel to Lisbon via Brussels . We asked the group for their personal feedback on the trip and received the following.

Ephraim Tapa: I remember very well when we discussed the Summit at a forum early last year if not late in 2006, then the focus being to campaign against Mugabe's invitation. Everyone felt very strongly against Mugabe's visit and I personally felt that no amount of remedial action would off-set the damage that would be occasioned by his visit. After the trip I have a different perspective: it was better that he came for he lost it big time and all tribute goes to the gallant activists who made the trip and those who supported us. That campaign made all the difference as it stole all the limelight and made Mugabe a sad figure of ridicule. Having witnessed such success with a very high sense of personal satisfaction, I am left wondering when next Mugabe might be venturing out again.

Willie Chitima: about 30 political activists including me took part in the trip to Lisbon to demonstrate at the Summit . On Friday 7 th December we went to Vasco da Gama Square , 50 metres from where the Summit was held, where we were allowed to sing and dance toy-toyi. We staged a drama showing Mugabe blocking his ears while we shouted about his abuse of human rights. On 8 th December we went back to demonstrate at the same place and sang for almost five hours. We saw our demonstrations in the Portuguese newspapers. I personally feel great for expressing my feelings against Mugabe. I hope there will be change soon.

Farayi Madzamba : The trip was fantastic and the impact it had was huge and will have a positive outcome. I think the world heard the powerful message that we gave and it made the Summit leaders open their eyes. This trip meant a lot to me and it brought me close to the other members of the Vigil.

Dumi Tutani : We stole the show in Lisbon . Other protesters shouted slogans but our dancing, drumming and singing gained much more attention. We were the best and most long-lasting of the protests with our toy-toyi getting lots of media attention. Our weekly Vigils are like a weekly rehearsal. I personally sang for 3 hours non-stop.

Fungayi Mabhunu : there was a very good feeling in the group with very good team work. it was an Interesting experience to play Mugabe, wearing the mask. I could feel the hatred for Mugabe even though he was being played by an actor. How has he managed to hang on so long when everyone hates him? He is probably scared to resign because of the crimes he has committed.

Judith Mutsvairo : I was glad to bring Zimbabwe 's plight to the world's attention in Lisbon . I am still getting phone calls from people asking about the trip. People are encouraged to join the struggle because of our trip.

Charles Gomedza: The group was full of energy and character standing firm in protest even in the face of the CIOs and the hired Mugabe supporters. We even became more zealous and vibrant when we learnt that the pro-Mugabe group was actually a group of disillusioned foreign nationals, not even Zimbabwean.

Rose Benton: I was stopped in the street by Portuguese people who had seen me on TV and wanted to congratulate the Vigil on bringing the world's attention to what was happening in Zimbabwe . Organising the trip was worth all the hard work. It was interesting to meet a former Zimbabwean, Peter Horsman, from Zimbabwe who now lives on the Algarve and came up to stage his own demonstration. It turns out he was a close neighbour from my childhood.

Adella Chiminya: What a time we had. The good spirit among the group was amazing. I salute you Rose. You are a soldier.

Racheal Lupafya : My family back home saw everything on television. Everyone I have spoken to talks very positively about the trip and say we did very well. I am glad we managed to shake the old tyrant.

Dennis Benton: I was amazed at how much money the Mugabe people had spent. There was a business exhibition nearby at which the Zimbabweans handed out lavish brochures which pretended that all was well in Zimbabwe , ignoring all the problems. I was interviewed at length by Czech television because I had mentioned a letter about Zimbabwe to the London Times by prominent writers led by former President Vaclav Havel.

Priscilla Mugwagwa: I was so happy at the success of the trip. Because we were there demonstrating and telling the world what was happening in Zimbabwe Mugabe was not able to say what he usually says. Thanks to the human rights groups (ADDHU and Crisis Action) in Lisbon who organised the protests which made our presence more effective.

Guy Benton: I only went because someone dropped out at the last minute – otherwise a place would be wasted. But I hope I made myself useful and I certainly enjoyed being with the group. I was impressed by the untiring dancing, singing and drumming.

 

29 th December 2007

Our last Vigil of 2007. It's now our sixth New Year. People ask what drives us to continue. Here's one reason: with us today we had Guguzinhle Khumalo. We asked her to write her story for us. “I live in Romford, came to the UK in December 2004. I was abducted and taken to the Gwanda Green Bombers' Camp in 2002 and trained in combat. I was raped multiple times and had a child (girl) who is still in Zim with my mother. I had to flee because they threatened and beat me up so much. I left for South Africa and came here. I have never seen my daughter since I left her when she was 1 year, 7 months. I am now joining the Zimbabwe Vigil cause. Hopefully we will bring Mugabe and his evil associates down. People are suffering and we are suffering – enough is enough. I am 23 years old with no life at all. I don't think this is right. I want to go to school and be someone. For now I can't do that. What about the future of my daughter?” Guguzinhle also said that when she tries to talk to people here about what happened they can't believe it. What future is there for our land unless we all stand up and protest as the Vigil does week after week.

We have gone through our register and we find that our average attendance per Vigil this year has been 107. Last year the average was 62 and the year before 37. The number of individuals who attended this year was 1,594 as opposed to 872 in 2006 and 574 in 2005. It seems that our attendance is increasing exponentially like Zimbabwe 's inflation!

On a cold, blustery day people from all over the UK gathered at the Vigil to continue our protest against gross violations of human rights by the Mugabe regime – despite efforts to destabilize us. We heard that several people were phoned and informed that the Vigil was not happening and that they should attend a meeting in Birmingham today.

We wish you all a happy new year and pray that we won't be standing outside the Embassy on Saturday afternoons in a year's time.

FOR THE RECORD: 138 signed the register.

Please note there will be no Forum this week. The next Forum will be on Monday, 7 th January 2008 .

 

22 nd December 2007

Famous faces at the Vigil today. We reckon we could field a reasonable Zimbabwe soccer team. With us were: Memory ‘Gwenzi' Mucherahowa (former Dynamos FC captain and manager), Joe ‘Kode' Mugabe (former CAPS United captain and former Sporting Lions coach), Blessing Nkatia (Dynamos), Panganayi Kuzanga (Black Aces and Grain Tigers) and our regular supporter Moses Kandiyawo (Acadia United, Air Zim, Sporting Lions).

While constructing our football team we could also plan a new band with the brilliant talent Zimbabwe is exporting. Willard Karanga (trombonist for Thomas Mapfumo) said how dreadful it was that everyone was being forced into exile. He said several members of the band that toured the US with him were now seeking asylum in the UK . ‘Our music is not allowed in Zimbabwe ', he said. Also with us was Fungai B Gahadzikwa (mbira player with the band Ambuyo Biula Dyoko).

On the last Vigil before our 6 th Christmas loads of people took enormous trouble to be with us. We took the banners down before the end because we could not fit everyone in between the four maple trees outside the Embassy. When we gathered to sing the national anthem at the end we filled the whole piazza again. We are surprised that Zimbabweans in the UK hold meetings to clash with the Vigil. We want to work with everyone on a non-party political basis to make the plight of Zimbabwe a world concern. Certainly there are people who see this as the Vigil's role – hence the support for our trip to Lisbon .

Friends in South Africa are keeping us informed of the work of Zimbabwe Democracy Now. Most recently they erected three banners greeting delegates after the ANC gathering congratulating South Africa on its democracy. The banners demanded similar freedoms in Zimbabwe . We displayed their huge banner at the Lisbon summit ‘Mugabe you would be more welcome in the Hague ' and we are giving away their scratch cards at the Vigil ( www.zimbabwedemocracynow.com ).

The day's highlight was the first birthday party for Zizi, son of Gugu Ndlovu-Tutani and Vigil co-ordinator Dumi Tutani. The proud parents brought a cake with a portrait of Zizi in icing on the top. Another happy announcement was the engagement of long-term supporter Arnold Kuwewa to Agnieszka Mizerek from Poland . It was good to welcome back Yvonne Fombe for the first time since her baby was born.

A happy Christmas to all our supporters – hopefully our last! Thank you for your support over the past year.

FOR THE RECORD: 185 signed the register.

Please note there will be no Forum this week. The next Forum will be on Monday, 7 th January 2008 .

 

20/12/2007

Reply from the British Government to the Vigil Petition

As reported in the last Vigil diary the British Government has replied to the Vigil petition presented on our behalf by Kate Hoey MP, Chair of the all-party parliamentary committee on Zimbabwe , on the occasion of our fifth anniversary in October.

The petition read: “ A Petition to European Union Governments: We record our dismay at the failure of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to help the desperate people of Zimbabwe at their time of trial. We urge the UK government, and the European Union in general, to suspend government to government aid to all 14 SADC countries until they abide by their joint commitment to uphold human rights in the region”.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

London SW1A 2AH

From the Minister of State

2 December 2007

Kate Hoey MP

House of Commons

London SW1A 0AA

Dear Kate

Thank you for your letter of 30 October to the Prime Minister on behalf of the Zimbabwe Vigil Coalition and for forwarding their petition. I am replying as Minister for Africa .

Let me pass on our admiration for the Zimbabwe Vigil Coalition for reaching their fifth anniversary. The fact that over 5,000 people have signed the petition you have forwarded confirms the public's strength of opinion regarding the situation in Zimbabwe . Recent media reports have graphically shown what a desperate and tragic position Zimbabwe is now in. This is due entirely to President Mugabe's policies which continue to punish ordinary Zimbabweans already suffering from unemployment, food shortages and hyperinflation.

Thank you for your words of support regarding the Prime Minister's decisions that neither he not any senior government member will attend the EU/Africa Summit in December if President Mugabe attends. We want the EU/Africa Summit to go ahead and to be successful. The Summit can and should deliver progress on peace and security, growth, development, governance and climate change. President Mugabe's attendance at the EU/Africa Summit will undermine the substantive business and dominate the media profile of the event overshadowing the important discussions taking place. We will continue to make this point in our contact with EU and AU states.

The UK government sees a resolution to the crisis in Zimbabwe as a top priority. We are committed to doing everything we can to ensure a better future for Zimbabweans: a democratic and accountable government, respect for human rights and the rule of law, and policies that ensure economic stability and development, not humanitarian misery.

We believe President Mugabe must change his policies, which are hurting rather than helping ordinary Zimbabweans already struggling from hyperinflation, mass unemployment and food shortages. Political change must come from within Zimbabwe .

Yours

The Rt Hon Lord Malloch Brown

Minister of State

 

15 th December 2007

The sight of the day was a group of Father Christmases signing our petition demanding that the UN Security Council investigates human rights abuses in Zimbabwe . What a wonderful present this would be! With Christmas around the corner our thoughts were on our suffering families back home. In the words of the Advent hymn, we pray to God to save a ruined nation.

We have received a reply from the British government in response to the petition we sent the Prime Minister on our 5 th Anniversary calling on the EU to suspend government to government aid to SADC countries until they carry out their obligation to protect Zimbabwean human rights. We will put the letter on the Vigil Diary during the course of the week.

Many new faces again in a crowd which spilled from between the four maple trees and spread over most of the piazza outside the Embassy. The few embassy staff around on a Saturday looked daunted. Despite the icy cold, everyone was buoyed by the success of our demonstrations at the Lisbon Summit. We were glad someone brought at extra drum as we have beaten yet another one to death.

In between the magical singing and dancing, Stendrick Zvorwadza, Fungayi Mabhuni and Rose Benton reported on the Lisbon trip. It was also announced that 3 extra people had been appointed to the Vigil management team to help cope with the increasing attendance. Gugu Ndlovu-Tutani and Arnold Kuwewa will be looking after the back table, keeping an eye on the register in particular. Fungayai has been put in charge of security. (Vigil dog Chai will report to him!)

This new setup worked well today. Gugu noticed someone studying the information in the register. When asked he said he was looking for a relative's phone number. She asked Fungayi to deal with this. Fungayi explained to the person in question that the register was not available for general study as we had a duty under the Data Protection Act to keep confidential any personal information given to us. The procedure should be that the enquirer approaches the Vigil management team to phone and ask whether the person in question wished to be contacted.

FOR THE RECORD: 188 signed the register.

FOR YOUR DIARY: Monday 17 th December at 7.30 pm. Central London Zimbabwe Forum. Tor Hugne of the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum and a surprise guest will give us feedback on the just ended Human Rights Council. This is the last forum of 2007. Venue: d ownstairs function room of the Bell and Compass, 9-11 Villiers Street , London , WC2N 6NA , next to Charing Cross Station at the corner of Villiers Street and John Adam Street .

 

Zimbabwe Vigil Diary in Lisbon and London – 7-9 December 2007 – Part II

Further to our last posting we want to record our gratitude to the Lisbon human rights organisation, ADDHU ( Associação de Defesa dos Direitos Humanos) who were so helpful. Our meeting with them was joyous with much singing and dancing. Also with us were Miguel (a Portuguese journalist) and his team who were doing a documentary on our visit – they accompanied us throughout our time there and they were a great support. We were so happy to be joined by friends from Zimbabwe : Jenni Williams of WOZA, Promise Mkwananzi and Washington Katema from ZINASU, Primrose Matambanadzo (Zimbabwe NGO Human Rights Forum) and Sidney Chisi (Youth Initiative for Democracy) . There were other supporters from around the world; Marianna and Robbo from Germany who arrived with a big banner and wearing Mbeki and Mugabe masks. A Zimbabwean farmer, Peter Horsman, now living in the Algarve , came up on his own to demonstrate and was delighted to find our group to join. There were other Zimbabweans of Portuguese descent now living in Lisbon who joined our protest. The Swedish MP, Birgitta Ohlsson travelled to Lisbon with Kate Hoey and was there in support. Roy Barretto, former Zimbabwe soccer coach, was protesting with us. He was interviewed by Lance Guma ( http://www.swradioafrica.com/news121207/coach121207.htm ).

For an independent view check the following links to articles from Lance Guma who was with us in Lisbon: http://www.swradioafrica.com/news101207/lancediary101207.htm , http://www.swradioafrica.com/news101207/zimvig101207.htm , http://www.swradioafrica.com/news071207/Lisbon081207.htm , http://www.swradioafrica.com/news071207/summit071207.htm .

Lance has also posted photos and videos on the following links.

http://www.swradioafrica.com/lisbon/index.html and http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=lanceguma&search=Search

The London Vigil was very busy while the Lisbon group was away. There were crowds at the Vigil on Saturday – 183 signed the register on a cold, wet and blustery day. Luka Phiri attended the ACTSA demonstraton outside the Portuguese Embassy on Thursday. He reports that it was raining. Kate Hoey was there with David Banks . Two Zimbabweans from Leeds / Bradford came all the way to join the protest – a valiant effort. As usual there were more British than Zimbabweans at the demo which Luka felt was pathetic. He says this is a Zimbabwean strugle and we as Zimbabweans should be in the forefront of all demos. Aljazeera filmed the demo and Vigil supporters Innocient Chichera and Rosemary Manyere were taken for an interview with the BBC World Service. Luka reports that he has had many calls from the media worldwide about the protest in Lisbon : Belgium , United States and Germany to name a few.

 

Zimbabwe Vigil Diary in Lisbon and London – 7-9 December 2007

A Vigil team of about 30 grabbed the attention of the media during the EU/AU summit in Lisbon . Our demonstrations were shown on television all over the world. In Britain we were on BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Sky News …. We gave interviews to broadcasters and other journalists from all over the place: Finland , the Czech Republic , Voice of America … In addition we were tracked for a TV documentary to be shown later.

In Lisbon itself we became minor celebrities because we were on television every day. People greeted us when they saw our Vigil t-shirts (it was lovely weather). They agreed with our stand: ‘Super Ba star do' was how Mugabe was described by one of our taxi drivers who had seen us on TV. (Our celebrity status extended to Luton when, on our return, we were recognised by an immigration official.)

We staged demonstrations near the Summit meeting on all 3 days we were in Lisbon and, in between, plastered the city with our posters contrasting the living conditions of the poor in Zimbabwe to Mugabe's new mansion.

On our first morning, on Friday, Fungayi Mabhunu and Farayi Madzamba were roped in by the group Crisis Coalition to play the roles of Mugabe and Sudan's President Bashir for a stunt in which they were shown in bed with President Sarkozy of France and Chancellor Merkel of Germany – the suggestion being that these two leaders were being soft in dealing with tyranny. The four playing the roles wore very realistic masks: no doubt many of you will have seen pictures in the papers showing them surrounded by Vigil supporters. (The stunt seems to have worked because both Sarkozy and Merkel were later reported to have been pretty tough with Mugabe!)

On Saturday, the opening of the Summit , we staged a seven hour protest while our supporters in London held the normal Vigil outside Zimbabwe House. We certainly had better weather in Lisbon and felt sorry for our colleagues shivering in the wind and rain in London . Thanks to Chipo Chaya, Luka Phiri, Gugu Ndlovu-Tutani, Sue Toft and Arnold Kuwewa who kept things going in London in our absence. They were augmented by the prayer group, the Zimbabwe Watchmen.

We wondered whether we would get any publicity at all given the saturation coverage our anti-Mugabe campaign had already received but the CIO came to our rescue. They arranged a pro-Mugabe demonstration with the notorious George Shire (“Widening Participation Officer” of St Martin 's College of Art in London ). Among his supporters were several young women from Guinea-Bissau who had obviously been paid to take part. We tried to talk to them but they knew no Zimbabwean languages. Someone who could at least speak English was a Jamaican woman from Brixton in London who shouted racist abuse at her own MP, Kate Hoey, who joined us for the day. The Jamaican asked us ‘Are you African? Why are you being used by whites?'

The only person who managed to shut the Shire group up was Adella Adella, wife of Tichaona Chiminya who was burnt to death by Mugabe agents in 2002. She said “You have left my children fatherless”—referring to the murder of her husband . . . . The pro-Mugabe demonstration guaranteed we would achieve our aim and keep Zimbabwe on top of the Summit agenda.

Armed police separated us from the Mugabe group, who were penned in on one side of the square, together with Gadaffi supporters flown in for the Summit . We were kept on the other side, together with anti-Gadaffi demonstrators and a group demanding freedom for Cabinda in Angola . By the end of the day we were firm friends with the other antis: the Libyans gave us their loudspeaker when they left and the Angolans gave us their t-shirts. This was after both groups joined us in singing ‘Nkosi Sikilele'. Media interest was further heightened when police wrestled to the ground and arrested two pro-Mugabe people when they tried to cause problems.

We ended Saturday by displaying a huge banner saying ‘Mugabe you would be more welcome in the Hague--- a reference to the International Criminal Court. We invited everyone to sign it. The banner had earlier been flown over the beach area; unfortunately, permission was refused to fly it over the Summit itself.

On the final day of the Summit , we staged another demonstration in case the Mugabe hirelings were there. But Mugabe had obviously decided that enough had been spent on a losing cause and the money could be better spent stocking up on electricity, water, bread and other essentials from the local boutiques. Only the Gadaffi supporters were on the other side of the square – but they have oil money! As everyone says, if only Zimbabwe had oil (rather than diesel coming from the rocks).

We are writing this hurriedly on our return and will report later on the people who helped us.

Lance Guma of SW Radio Africa was with us on the trip to Lisbon and will be posting reports, pictures and videos. See www.swradioafrica.com for links to this information.

 

1 st December 2007

Once again we had an enormous attendance – more than 200 Zimbabweans from all over the UK . There was a queue to sign the register. We should star t thinking of a Vigil crèche! First at the Vigil was Juliet Ngulube who got up at 5 am to travel all the way down from Manchester . Happily, she was soon joined by an old friend, Dorcas Nkomo, from Southampton . It's so encouraging to see the efforts people make to join our protest against Mugabe.

But the main subject of discussion as we sheltered from the rain under our tarpaulin was the EU / AU Summit in Lisbon . The Vigil has booked for 29 of our supporters to go to Lisbon (thanks to several generous donors). Many of our most committed supporters wanted to come but lacked the right travel papers. They will be at our usual London Vigil to support us from a distance. For details of our plans see the News Release below. As you will see the Vigil is central to several other protests.

What we don't say in our news release is that we have heard from informed sources that we should try and track members of the Zimbabwean delegation to try and establish in which banks they deposit their stolen money and to whom they sell their Murange diamonds. While in Lisbon we will displaying a new poster: it shows three photographs contrasting Mugabe's new mansion with the squalid living conditions of the masses.

 

We were pleased that Judith Todd found time for a farewell visit. She is to speak about the Zimbabwe situation in the United States , where her new book is being launched.

We thought the weather was pretty lousy but two people from the Faroe Isles dropped by. For them the weather must have seemed tropical! Grateful thanks to the kind lady who works locally who dropped by again and, without any fuss, dropped off three packets of biscuits.

Stendrick of our new partner ROHRZimbabwe said that he'd been in contact with activists in Zimbabwe who dismissed t