ZimVigil Diary Entries

100% Lunacy – Zimbabwe Vigil Diary: 8th December 2012

Written by Administrator

Sunday, 09 December 2012 15:39

Mugabe’s call for 100% ‘indigenous’ ownership of companies in Zimbabwe is an invitation to a new wave of looting which will end foreign investment, killing any prospect of economic growth while Zanu PF is in power. And remaining in power is what the policy is about.

Speaking at the Zanu PF conference in Gweru, Mugabe said: ‘The notion that capital is more important than any other factors is nonsense.’ He added that the notion was ‘dirty, filthy and criminal.’

Launching a blatant vote-buying campaign for re-election, he said of indigenization: ‘I think now we have done enough of 51 percent. Let it be 100 percent’ (see: http://www.zimbabwesituation.com/dec8_2012.html#Z1 – Mugabe backs 100% black ownership of Zimbabwe-based firms).

Mugabe said that if foreign owned companies don’t want to abide by these rules they should go away. And so they will. Ironically Mugabe’s new policy was announced on the same day as the economist Eric Bloch wrote in a newspaper article that foreign investment is essential for Zimbabwe. He said: ‘There is an abysmal and contemptuous disregard for the irrefutable fact that the country desperately needs such investment in order to attain substantive growth of its economy. That growth is critical if a comprehensive reduction
of the overwhelming unemployment that has plagued Zimbabwe for too long is to materialise’ (see: http://www.zimbabwesituation.com/dec8a_2012.html#Z21 – Barriers to investment on the increase).

The Vigil believes the welfare of ordinary Zimbabweans has never been of concern to Mugabe. The only growth that counts for him is in the money he can spend to ensure he stays in power. And, thanks to diamonds, he has shown there is a lot of that.

News that Zimbabwe was to be discussed at the SADC meeting in Dar es Salaam should have given us encouragement. After all, SADC laid down the rules for the next elections and is supposed to enforce them. But following the recent comments by President Zuma’s adviser Lindiwe Zulu we are expecting nothing. She said of the lack of progress in the constitution-making exercise merely that she hoped the political parties would ‘try to move the process quicker than it is moving at the moment’.

Ms Zulu wouldn’t say who was responsible for the deadlock but everyone knows and until South Africa faces up to Mugabe’s intransigence there can be no progress and no fair elections (see: Zuma team meets political parties over constitutional deadlock – http://www.zimbabwesituation.com/nov30_2012.html#Z1).

Other points

· Our sister organization the Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe (ROHR) met in Birmingham to elect a new executive. Vigil founder member Ephraim Tapa, who set up ROHR in 2007, was confirmed as Chair. Around 70 people attended, representing most of the branches in the UK. The conference resolved to relaunch programmes in Zimbabwe and start operations in South Africa as well. Signatures were collected for a petition to the UK Border Agency protesting at the treatment of Zimbabwean deportees. Representatives from the Vigil and Zimbabwe We Can attended the conference to express their support. Mr Tapa said there’d been an enthusiastic attitude at the meeting with determination to continue the work. A full report will be posted on the ROHR website www.rohzimbabwe.org.

· We were glad to have with us a festive choir in Santa Claus hats from our partner organization the Zimbabwe Association. They sang rousing Christmas songs in Shona and English.

· Following the suicide of our supporter Bernard Hukwa, we are ever mindful of how difficult life is in the UK for Zimbabwean asylum seekers (particularly in the winter). Thanks to Josephine Zhuga and Louisa Musaerenge for their compassionate assistance to one of our supporters who came to us today in considerable distress.

For latest Vigil pictures check: http://www.flickr.com/photos/zimbabwevigil/. Please note: Vigil photos can only be downloaded from our Flickr website – they cannot be downloaded from the slideshow on the front page of the Zimvigil website.

FOR THE RECORD: 43 signed the register.

EVENTS AND NOTICES:

· Next Swaziland Vigil. Saturday 15^th December from 10 am – 1 pm. Venue: Swazi High Commission, 20 Buckingham Gate, London SW1E 6LB. Please support our Swazi friends. Nearest stations: St James’s Park and Victoria. www.swazilandvigil.co.uk.

· Film ‘Robert Mugabe: Villain or Hero’. Saturday 15^th December at 2 pm. Venue: British Film Institute, BFI Southbank, Belvedere Road, South Bank, London SE1 8XT. There will be a panel / audience discussion. For full details: http://tinyurl.com/mugabe-villain-or-hero.

· Zimbabwe Vigil Highlights 2011 can be viewed on this link: http://www.zimvigil.co.uk/the-vigil-diary/363-vigil-highlights-2011. Links to previous years’ highlights are listed on 2011 Highlights page.

· The Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe (ROHR) is the Vigil’s partner organization based in Zimbabwe. ROHR grew out of the need for the Vigil to have an organization on the ground in Zimbabwe which reflected the Vigil’s mission statement in a practical way. ROHR in the UK actively fundraises through membership subscriptions, events, sales etc to support the activities of ROHR in Zimbabwe. Please note that the official website of ROHR Zimbabwe is http://www.rohrzimbabwe.org/. Any other website claiming to be the official website of ROHR in no way represents the views and opinions of ROHR.

· ZBN News. The Vigil management team wishes to make it clear that the Zimbabwe Vigil is not responsible for Zimbabwe Broadcasting Network News (ZBN News). We are happy that they attend our activities and provide television coverage but we have no control over them. All enquiries about ZBN News should be addressed to ZBN News.

· The Zim Vigil band (Farai Marema and Dumi Tutani). To download the band’s theme song Vigil Yedu visit: www.imusicafrica.com and to watch the video check: http://ourvigil.notlong.com. To watch other Zim Vigil band protest songs, check: http://Shungurudza.notlong.com and http://blooddiamonds.notlong.com.

· Vigil Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=8157345519&ref=ts.

· Vigil Myspace page: http://www.myspace.com/zimbabwevigil.

· To sponsor the Mike Campbell Foundation expedition ‘Sailing across the Makgadikgadi Pans’ which will raise money for the work of the Foundation, go to www.justgiving.com/Mike-Campbell-Foundation.

· Useful websites: www.zanupfcrime.com which reports on Zanu PF abuses and www.ipaidabribe.org.zw where people can report corruption in Zimbabwe.

Deportees ‘drugged’ – Zimbabwe Vigil Diary: 1st December 2012

Written by Administrator

Sunday, 02 December 2012 14:21

There are allegations that some Zimbabwean deportees from the UK are being drugged or threatened with sedation to ensure they do not kick up a fuss when put on a plane home.

A number of airline pilots have refused to take off when failed asylum seekers have created a scene on board to draw attention to their plight. Women have been known to strip naked. Some immigration lawyers have encouraged this ploy.

The Zimbabwe Vigil knows of incidents when security guards employed by the UK Border Agency have manhandled deportees to keep them quiet, causing injuries. One woman who succeeded in being taken off a flight came to the Vigil still limping several months after such an incident (see Vigil diary of 25^th February 2012).

As pressure grows on the UK Border Agency to curb immigration, and mounting parliamentary criticism of their performance, more and more Zimbabweans are being picked up for deportation despite clear evidence of growing political violence as Mugabe prepares to bludgeon his way to another election victory within the next few months (see: http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk/comment/opinion/62460/playing-politics-with-military-history.html - Playing politics with military history).

Some people in rural areas have already been warned that their arms will be cut off if they fail to support Zanu PF – a reminder of the ‘short and long-sleeve campaign’ during the stolen elections of 2008 (see: http://www.zimbabwesituation.com/nov30_2012.html#Z11 – Zim Villagers Warned Limbs Will Be Cut Off).

The allegations of sedating deportees were reported at the Vigil today by the Zimbabwean diaspora campaigner Ephraim Tapa, a former trade union leader who fled Zimbabwe after he was tortured in 2002. Mr Tapa, a founder member of the Vigil, said he’d been informed by relatives or friends of four people who were said to have been injected with sedatives or threatened with sedation to facilitate their deportation.

Vigil supporter Chipo Hazel Tafirenyika, who was deported on Thursday night, asserts that UKBA security guards threatened her with sedation if she caused any trouble when she was put on the plane.

‘This is unbelievable,’ Mr Tapa said. ‘This heavy-handed approach is a flagrant breach of human rights.’ Mr Tapa, who is President of the Vigil’s sister organization Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe (ROHR), said the Home Office was being asked to send a representative to explain the position to ROHR’s conference in Birmingham next week. A petition protesting about this practice will be presented.

The increased reports of people being detained for deportation led us to talk to our partner organization, the Zimbabwe Association, about what people should do. They gave us the information you can see below.

Other points

· Vigil management team member Josephine Zhuga had happy news for us today. After a long battle – when she was told her papers had been lost – she has finally been granted indefinite leave to remain in the UK. She has been tireless in her human rights work, fronting the Vigil every week for years. She is very grateful for the support of her church.

· On 15^th September we held a mock wedding to mark Tsvangirai’s nuptials with Elizabeth. Playing the bride in a wonderful wedding gown was Lindy Bare. Somewhat to his surprise, we co-opted Philip Maponga to play Tsvangirai. Lindy and Philip had never met before but the occasion was the start of a friendship which led them to tell friends at the Vigil today that they are now engaged to be married. The Vigil offers them our best wishes for their future.

· As you will see from our photos, Father Christmas is already active in London. They helped to cheer us on the coldest day of the winter so far. We were further cheered by the tshirt worn by Vigil supporter Kelvin Kamupira which carried the slogan ‘Keep calm and eat sadza’.

· Our condolences to Sihle Sibanda on the death of her sister. The Vigil took a collection for her.

Information for asylum seekers from the Zimbabwe Association (ZA)

If you get detained (and do not have a legal representative) put your name down for an appointment with a legal aid lawyer as soon as possible. There will be a booking system, probably in the detention centre library. Each detention centre has legal aid firms contracted to provide legal help. These are objective legal professionals. If you are already using a legal aid lawyer when you are detained you should be allowed to continue with them. Using a private lawyer can be a problem because if relatives are not able to raise the money required the private lawyer will not be able to act for you and may drop your case at the last minute. (Applying for a Judicial Review is a very expensive business.)

If you are given an appointment with a legal aid lawyer that is after the date of your flight then tell the Immigration Officer and ask for an earlier date. Get them to prioritise your case.

If a legal aid lawyer says your case has no merit ask them to put their reasons in writing.

If you are not in detention don’t just submit a fresh claim to try to protect yourself. You have to build up your case and prepare all possible documentation.

If possible:

Scan all your evidence. Put Reasons for Refusal letter in one document. Put Immigration Judge Determination in another document. Put Application for Fresh claim in another document. Put all supporting letters together in another document. Put all press stories in another document.

Keep a version of your evidence electronically and make sure that a trusted friend or relative can access and produce these documents if / when you are detained.

For further information please check the ZA website; www.zimbabweassociation.org.uk. There is a section on detention.

FOR THE RECORD: 63 signed the register.

EVENTS AND NOTICES:

· ROHR UK 2012 National Conference and Election of Substantive ROHR UK Executive. Saturday 8^th December starting at 11 am. Venue: St George’s Centre, 98 Bridge Street West, Newtown, Birmingham B19 2YX. For more information, contact: Thandiwe Gwarandu 07503 512 308, Chamu Chisuko 07832 927 606, Jonathan Kariwoh 07949 487 275 and Collin Chitekwe 07957 712 691.

· The Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe (ROHR) is the Vigil’s partner organisation based in Zimbabwe. ROHR grew out of the need for the Vigil to have an organisation on the ground in Zimbabwe which reflected the Vigil’s mission statement in a practical way. ROHR in the UK actively fundraises through membership subscriptions, events, sales etc to support the activities of ROHR in Zimbabwe. Please note that the official website of ROHR Zimbabwe is http://www.rohrzimbabwe.org/. Any other website claiming to be the official website of ROHR in no way represents the views and opinions of ROHR.

· Vigil Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=8157345519&ref=ts.

· Vigil Myspace page: http://www.myspace.com/zimbabwevigil.

· Useful websites: www.zanupfcrime.com which reports on Zanu PF abuses and www.ipaidabribe.org.zw where people can report corruption in Zimbabwe.

Diamond corruption – Zimbabwe Vigil Diary: 24th November 2012

Written by Administrator

Tuesday, 27 November 2012 14:18

For the second time this week we braved winter rain to gather outside the Zimbabwe Embassy. On Wednesday a valiant group (Arnold Magwanyata, Bridget Mupotsa, Cephas Maswoswa, Constance Matobela, Dennis Benton, Lindiwe Bare, Loveness Chikwanje, Michelle Dube, Molly Ngavaimbe, Nobuhle Mazula, Penina Mashiri, Rosemary Maponga, Sihle Sibanda) had gone to the Embassy to deliver a petition demanding transparency in Zimbabwe’s diamond sales. It was part of ‘Operation Take Back Zimbabwe’ organized by the 21^st Movement which has been holding monthly demonstrations by the diaspora since January.

Although Wednesday was a working day, the Embassy’s front doors were firmly closed. As the Embassy has no post box we slipped our petition under the door. Our comrades in Washington DC had a similar experience. Den Moyo, Co-ordinator of the 21^st Movement, wrote ‘In the US we also had a successful demo at the Zimbabwe Embassy. Despite Ambassador Mapuranga's official Mercedes Benz being parked in front of the building, there was no response to our knocks on the door. We had to slide the petition under the door. We find it appalling that these diplomats are reneging on their duty to serve the Zimbabwean communities abroad.’

It is clear that Zimbabwe’s embassies fear the diaspora. They are typical of diplomatic outposts of a rogue state led by an African ‘Big Man’ as the former UN Secretary-General Koffi Annan of Ghana described Mugabe this week. He said it was time Africa looked beyond the continent’s colonial past. ‘The support for the Big Man system – Robert Mugabe is an example – created a political culture that simply encourages autocrats and dictatorships’ (see: Mugabe a dictator – Annan – http://www.zimbabwesituation.com/nov22_2012.html#Z17).

A ‘Big Man’ such as Mugabe needs big money to keep in power and this is why the Vigil and the rest of the Zimbabwean diaspora is demanding transparency in Zimbabwe’s diamond revenues. The MDC-T MP Eddie Cross told a conference in Harare that if the diamond fields in Zimbabwe had been exploited on the lines proposed by the original company, as a joint venture with the government like in Botswana, Zimbabwe’s economy would have been transformed. As much as five and a half billion dollars could have gone to the state in the past four years. ‘In Botswana . . . the state receives two-thirds of gross sales. Education is free and the people do not pay personal taxes. Botswana has an income per capita today of nearly $9,000 and is rated a middle-income country. Zimbabwe has an income per capita of just $390 in 2012 and is rated one of the poorest countries in the world.’

Mr Cross cited the following points as indicating the colossal scale of diamond looting:

· A deficit on imports of nearly 50 per cent or in excess of $4 billion this year;

· Imports of $1,4 billion in motor vehicles in 2012;

· The construction of large, luxury homes in many parts of the country;

· Visible evidence of a high standard of living for a significant number of people whose positions do not justify such life styles;

· Significant expenditure by individuals and firms linked to Marange including luxury apartments and houses, even high rise buildings in South Africa;

· Substantial investments by certain individuals connected to the Marange operations in many areas of Zimbabwe, including the purchase of buildings and companies;

· The expenditure of perhaps $300 million via the President’s Fund on free crop inputs, scholarships and bursaries;

· The purchase of two new long range Airbus Aircraft;

· Expenditures on military equipment and facilities that are not provided for in the State budget.

Mr Cross said that those who have benefitted so visibly from the illicit sales of Marange diamonds over the past 5 years should be required to pay compensation. (see: http://www.zimbabwesituation.com/nov24_2012.html#Z24 – Eddie Cross paper to Diamond Conference).

The Vigil is confident that Mines Minister Obert M’puffed-up will eventually have to explain how he acquired his enormous wealth. We were glad to see the detailed exposure of his financial dealings by Nehanda Radio (see: From Rags to Riches, the Obert Mpofu Story – http://nehandaradio.com/2012/11/16/from-rags-to-riches-the-obert-mpofu-story/). It sounds as if he will be joined in the dock by his MDC-T Mines deputy minister Gift Chimanikire (see: http://www.zimbabwesituation.com/nov23_2012.html#Z14 - MDC man backs Mpofu). Mr Chimanikire’s boot-licking is not doing MDC-T a service, feeding the impression that it is part of the gravy train.

We noted a report on Morgan Tsvangirai’s rally in Buhera which said ‘The vast difference between the villagers, desperately eking out a hand-to-mouth existence, and the lavish lifestyles of top MDC-T officials and ministers who rolled into Tsvangirai’s home area of Humanikwa village – about 200km away from their posh houses in Harare – in top-of-the-range vehicles and swanky attire, was all too visible.’ (See: Tsvangirai rally betrays widening affluence gap – http://www.zimbabwesituation.com/nov24a_2012.html#Z6).

Other points

· Mr M’puffed-up’s largesse with diamonds knows no bounds. He has proposed buying off civil society organisations with a share of diamond revenue so they will stop criticizing him. ‘One who pays the piper calls the tune,’ he said (see: http://www.zimbabwesituation.com/nov23_2012.html#Z2 – Civil Society angered by Mpofu diamond ‘bribe’).

· Thanks to Arnold Magwanyata of Zimbabwe We Can for making placards for the Wednesday demo.

· As we sheltered from the rain under our green tarpaulin today, we were approached by a passer-by in a yellow floral caftan pulling a bright pink shopping trolley adorned with yellow flowers. She said she was a Catholic missionary who had travelled widely in Africa. She said how wonderful the people are and how totally corrupt the politicians.

· A CD of Vigil songs is to be launched next week. It features Co-ordinator Dumi Tutani and Zimbabwean musician Farai Marema.

FOR THE RECORD: 42 signed the register.

EVENTS AND NOTICES:

· Next Swaziland Vigil. Saturday 1^st December from 10 am – 1 pm. Venue: Swazi High Commission, 20 Buckingham Gate, London SW1E 6LB. Please support our Swazi friends. Nearest stations: St James’s Park and Victoria. www.swazilandvigil.co.uk.

· ROHR Conference and Election of Substantive ROHR UK Executive. Saturday 8^th December. Further details as they become available.

· Vigil Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=8157345519&ref=ts.

· Vigil Myspace page: http://www.myspace.com/zimbabwevigil.

· Useful websites: www.zanupfcrime.com which reports on Zanu PF abuses and www.ipaidabribe.org.zw where people can report corruption in Zimbabwe.

‘A Soft Genocide’ – Zimbabwe Vigil Diary: 17th November 2012

Written by Administrator

Sunday, 18 November 2012 15:37

The Vigil will be submitting a petition to the Zimbabwe Embassy in London on Wednesday 21^st November calling on President Mugabe to establish a Commission of Inquiry into the billions of dollars of missing diamond money.

The diamond inquiry was one of the demands agreed for the global diaspora ‘Operation Take Back Zimbabwe’ campaign which has been protesting outside Zimbabwean diplomatic missions on the 21^st of each month since January 2012.

Other demands include:

· Parliament should be responsible for finalizing the draft constitution without interference from the principals as agreed upon in the GPA

· A free and fair referendum to complete the constitution making process

· Implementation of all the outstanding GPA reforms

· A new voters' roll

· An independent Zimbabwe Electoral Commission

· The confinement of soldiers to barracks

· International monitors allowed to move about freely

· An end to the political violence now re-emerging

The diamond conference at the Victoria Falls this week was overshadowed by allegations by the human rights organization Partnership Africa Canada (PAC) that billions of dollars in government revenue had been lost by corrupt diamond activities. It said: ‘The scale of illegality is mind-blowing’.

The PAC report was predictably rubbished by Mines Minister M’puffed-up who has mysteriously emerged as one of the richest men in Zimbabwe. Cathy Buckle says in her latest diary (Diamonds or water? – http://www.cathybuckle.com/index.php?id=107): ‘Mines Minister, Obert Mpofu complained to delegates about the diamond watchdog groups: “How then are you expected to be transparent when there are hyenas chasing you?” he said. “They want to know what car you drive, which house you are living in and what plane you are flying.” The Minister’s gripes are a world away from the grinding struggle of ordinary mums in the heat and dust as they try to keep their families clean and healthy with only eight litres of water per person per day. Diamonds, houses, cars and aeroplanes on one hand and eight litres of clean water on the other; there’s something desperately wrong with Zimbabwe’s priorities.’

The MDC-T MP Eddie Cross estimates revenue from diamond sales could be as much as $4 billion a year. “You do not need to be a genius to see where some of this money is going”, he says. “Harare is awash with luxury cars and you can see even new Rolls Royces on the streets as well as all other luxury models. Drive around the country and look at the houses going up – many covering over 2000 square metres. Some with tennis courts on their roofs, indoor heated swimming pools, elevators” (see: http://www.zimvigil.co.uk/vigil-news/campaign-news/454-fundamentals-for-the-future--limiting-corruption).

The consequences of this looting were spelt out by Tendai Biti in his budget statement this week. He said that only a derisory amount had been raised by the Treasury from the diamonds. The result was what he called ‘a soft genocide’: ‘If you look at our social indicators; 90 out of every 1 000 children born are dying at infancy, secondly our ‘maternal mortality stands at 96 mothers dying per every 1 000 during child birth and our life expectancy is 41 years. The figures of infant mortality and life expectancy are by any description soft genocide.’ (http://www.zimbabwesituation.com/nov17_2012.html#Z2 - Biti budgets for watershed elections).

It’s clear that a parallel Zanu PF treasury is receiving vast amounts of looted money to pay for such things as the vote-buying $20 million ‘Presidential’ agricultural input scheme and the huge conference hall being built at Gweru for the Zanu PF conference next month.

Minister M’puffed-up’s line was predictably parroted by ousted South African President Mbeki who was invited to speak at the Victoria Falls diamond conference. M’puffed-up praised his parrot, introducing him as an ‘international negotiator on Syria’. The Vigil notices how many thousands of desperate civilians are fleeing Assad’s murderous regime and thinks Mr Mbeki’s alleged efforts for Syria measure up to his genocidal attempt to persuade his people that garlic and lemon were the cure for AIDS.

In his speech Mbeki again defended Zanu PF, making a point of citing the controversial research on land seizures by a British academic Ian Scoones. The Vigil notes this research has been comprehensively criticized by the Zimbabwean human rights campaigner Dale Dore (see: http://www.sokwanele.com/thisiszimbabwe/archives/8239 – Myths, Reality and The Inconvenient Truth about Zimbabwe's Land Resettlement Programme).

Dore sums up Scoones’ research: ‘Those expecting a robust academic study based on sound research principles and solid analysis will be disappointed. The study's references to understanding 'complexity' based on 'mountains of data' turns out to be detailed descriptions of localised complexity and a reticence to make meaningful and objective comparative analyses. Nor do the study's caveats stop the authors from inappropriately extrapolating their finding from Masvingo Province to cover the entire land reform programme.’

The Vigil is dismayed that President Zuma seems to have disengaged from the Zimbabwe question at its most acute point. We understand he is preoccupied by the ANC conference next month which could, conceivably, send him out to pasture with Mbeki. But the Vigil reminds South Africa that if they fail to meet their obligations to Zimbabwe, South Africa and the whole region will be jeopardised.

Other points

· In the past week the Vigil has received a sudden surge of calls from Zimbabweans in detention facing possible deportation. We suggest people concerned contact the Zimbabwe Association. Check: http://www.zimvigil.co.uk/refugee-information for contact details.

· There will be a screening of the film ‘Robert Mugabe: Villain or Hero?’ at the British Film Institute at 2 pm on Saturday 15^th December which includes a panel / audience discussion. For full details check ‘Events and Notices’.

FOR THE RECORD: 44 signed the register.

EVENTS AND NOTICES:

· Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum’s children’s competition for UN human rights day. Zimbabwean children are asked to submit a story / picture on 'The Portrait of a Great Zimbabwe'. For full details check: http://www.swradioafrica.com/Documents/CHILDREN%20STORY%20AND%20DRAWING%20COMPETITION-3.pdf. Closing date 20^th November 2012.

· Eleventh 21^st Movement Free Zimbabwe Global Protest. Wednesday 21^st November from 12 – 1.30 outside the Zimbabwe Embassy, 429 Strand, London WC2R 0JR.

· 50^th anniversary service for the Prisoners of Conscience Appeal Fund. Thursday 22^nd November at 3 pm. Venue: Southwark Cathedral, Montague Close, London SE1 9DA. The service will be an interesting mix of readings by PoC patrons including Sir Geoffrey Nice QC, Zoë Wanamaker CBE and Reverend Dr. Nicholas Sagovsky, music by a Zimbabwean choir and personal stories from prisoners of conscience who have been helped by the charity. See: http://www.prisonersofconscience.org/about_poc/events/default.aspx

· Election of Substantive ROHR UK Executive. Saturday 8^th December. Further details as they become available.

· The Zim Vigil band (Farai Marema and Dumi Tutani) has launched its theme song ‘Vigil Yedu (our Vigil)’ to raise awareness through music. To download this single, visit: www.imusicafrica.com and to watch the video check: http://ourvigil.notlong.com. To watch other Zim Vigil band protest songs, check: http://Shungurudza.notlong.com and http://blooddiamonds.notlong.com.

· Vigil Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=8157345519&ref=ts.

· Vigil Myspace page: http://www.myspace.com/zimbabwevigil.

· Useful websites: www.zanupfcrime.com which reports on Zanu PF abuses and www.ipaidabribe.org.zw where people can report corruption in Zimbabwe.

A Clean Break – Zimbabwe Vigil Diary: 10th November 2012

Written by Administrator

Sunday, 11 November 2012 18:11

Deep foreboding about the future of Zimbabwe was evident in London this week. As the clock ticks down to the next elections, fears were expressed that Zimbabwe is facing a trial of enormous consequence.

This view emerged most forcefully from the exiled MDC-T Treasurer General Roy Bennett, who spoke at a crowded meeting in one of the main committee rooms in Parliament. Among those attending was the Archbishop of York, the Ugandan-born Dr John Sentamu, who famously refuses to wear a clerical collar until Mugabe goes.

‘My message is a simple one’, Roy said. ‘There needs to be a clean break with the past in Zimbabwe – and very soon – or else the country will be a permanent basket case akin to the Democratic Republic of Congo or the Central African Republic, or any of the other forgotten and forsaken backwaters in Africa, distinguished only by occasional atrocities and marked by the utter, grinding poverty of their inhabitants.’

Roy dismissed as a pipe dream the idea that Zimbabwe would gradually evolve towards democracy and prosperity by co-operating with a ‘reformed’ Zanu PF. He warned that if the MDC and civil society did not drive Zanu PF from office and ‘complete the return to democratic normality’ in the next three years or so it might be too late. ‘Zimbabwe will degenerate into a Somalia. It will just be another perennial slum in Africa, a shantytown, a bantustan where the dream of the citizens extends no further than emigration. The privileged few will gorge themselves on the scraps.’ For full text of Roy’s speech, see: http://nehandaradio.com/2012/11/09/zimbabwe-could-degenerate-into-a-somalia-bennett/.

The occasion for Roy’s comments was a meeting in memory of Mike Campbell, a farmer who, with his son-in-law Ben Freeth, took Mugabe to the SADC Tribunal after their violent eviction from their farm. They won the case but SADC then suspended the Tribunal. During the course of the case they were abducted, beaten and tortured. Mike Campbell subsequently died of his injuries. Mr Freeth told the meeting that preparations were being made to steal the elections planned for next year.

Ben came to join us at the Vigil today and urged us to keep up the struggle. ‘We are encouraged because every week we see you are still there.’

After the Vigil he attended the monthly meeting of the Zimbabwe Action Forum held at the India Club down the road from the Vigil. He recalled how his own house had been burnt down along with that of Mr Campbell. ‘Zimbabwe continues to burn yet we are four years into the new government. The country has not really moved forward. Huge problems continue and no real reforms are taking place.'

The Joint Operations Command was still in place, the election machinery was exactly the same as in the last elections with the same people in charge who had declared those elections free and fair despite the violence. The elections supremo Mudede claimed the voters’ roll was perfect, although a third of those on it were dead or absent.

‘We expect violence’ he said, ‘forced meetings, Zimbabweans leaving home, crimes against humanity and the plight of the Zimbabwean people being disregarded.’ Ben said he looked to the Vigil for help in creating pressure and said our partner organization Restoration of Human Rights was part of the answer. He was applauded when he told the gathering that he did not think the solution was in violence. He went on to lead us in prayer for courage and wisdom.

Other points

· One disturbing reminder of how difficult things were becoming in Zimbabwe was from a supporter at the forum who said her parents in Zimbabwe had appealed to her not to go to the Vigil because they had been threatened. People agreed that we must nevertheless focus on getting our message to relatives in Zimbabwe. They must realise how much the diaspora, with regular remittances, is helping to keep the country going.

· Vigil co-ordinator Dumi Tutani expressed anger at reports that Morgan Tsvangirai was staying in a luxury hotel nearby, the Savoy, which charges a minimum of £400 a night. He asked why Mr Tsvangirai had not contacted the diaspora, who would have liked to have asked him why the MDC was denying them the vote. Dumi suggested that the Vigil should make the UK an uncomfortable place for anyone from the Government of National Unity. After the meeting he and several others headed off to protest at the Savoy.

· We have received an invitation to attend a special service on 22^nd November at Southwark Cathedral to mark the 50^th anniversary for the Prisoners of Conscience Appeal Fund. There will be music by a Zimbabwean choir and readings by distinguished patrons of the fund including the Reverend Dr Nicholas Sagovsky who has visited the Vigil. See ‘Events and Notices’ for details.

· Our article for the Independent which we put in last week’s diary can be seen on their blog on this link: http://blogs.independent.co.uk/2012/11/06/the-zimbabwe-vigils-10th-anniversary-is-no-cause-for-celebration/

FOR THE RECORD: 64 signed the register.

EVENTS AND NOTICES:

· Next Swaziland Vigil. Saturday 17^th November from 10 am – 1 pm. Venue: Swazi High Commission, 20 Buckingham Gate, London SW1E 6LB. Please support our Swazi friends. Nearest stations: St James’s Park and Victoria. www.swazilandvigil.co.uk.

· Relaunch of ROHR Liverpool Branch. Saturday 17^th November from 12 noon – 4 pm. Venue: Sally Eccleston Centre, Moss Lane, Litherland, L21 7NJ. ROHR Zimbabwe continues with its renewal campaign. The Liverpool branch relaunch follows hard on the heels of other successful launches over the last 6 weeks: Central London Branch, Birmingham and Cambridge. Members of ROHR, human rights activists and friends of Zimbabwe are all invited. Discussions will focus on the Zimbabwe crisis and the strategies going forward. A new branch executive will also be elected and the ROHR UK National Executive will be in attendance.

· Election of Substantive ROHR UK Executive. Saturday 8^th December. Further details as they become available.

· Vigil Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=8157345519&ref=ts.

· Vigil Myspace page: http://www.myspace.com/zimbabwevigil.

· Useful websites: www.zanupfcrime.com which reports on Zanu PF abuses and www.ipaidabribe.org.zw where people can report corruption in Zimbabwe.

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It’s clear that a parallel Zanu PF treasury is receiving vast amounts of looted money to pay for such things as the vote-buying $20 million ‘Presidential’ agricultural input scheme and the huge conference hall being built at Gweru for the Zanu PF conference next month.

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