Once again Vigil activists met outside the Zimbabwe Embassy in London to continue our protest against the human rights abuse and lack of democracy in Zimbabwe perpetrated by ZANU PF, the ruling regime. Thanks to those who came today: Rohan Gupta, Jonathan Kariwo, Pamela Magwizi, Genius Mamwadhu, Philip Maponga, Victor Simoni, Geraldine Takundwa and Bee Tapa. Photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/zimbabwevigil/albums/72177720324444562. Thanks to Bee for bringing the Vigil’s placards and banners and to Jonathan for photos.
As the Vigil was present outside the Zimbabwe Embassy in London, fissures within ZANU PF continued to deepen, whilst the populace remained in the dark as to the direction of the country.
This week, Chris Mutsvangwa is quoted as openly castigating retired General and Vice- President Chivengwa. He even went as far as questioning the general’s war credentials and lambasting him for being heinously cruel towards women, citing the dire situation Mary Chivengwa (ex-wife) finds herself in.
General Chivengwa’s estranged wife finds herself barred from seeing her children, her health failing amid pending criminal charges against her by the Vice-President. Mutsvangwa alleges that Mary could be due a presidential pardon but that the general is the one standing in the way
Meanwhile, the Geza Movement appears to have Chivengwa as their preferred candidate to take over from Mnangagwa. They have also made themselves believe that come 31 March 2025, the ED Mnangagwa presidency will be history. However, the general public in Zimbabwe remains sceptical. They posit that the Geza Movement has given too much notice to make any meaningful impact let alone remove the blatantly corrupt and brutal regime of ED Mnangagwa.
Alternatively there is growing consensus that dealing with the Mugabe regime was a much more straightforward job than dealing with the current dangerously selfish and hellbent ED regime. The fear of the mafia in government has, to a large extent, managed to silence civil society in Zimbabwe. This gives free reign to Mnangagwa, his family and cronies, whilst the Chinese continue to plunder the nation’s resources and enable the regime.
Zimbabwe needs to wake up and take a stance to stop the rot and preserve the future.
For Vigil pictures check: http://www.flickr.com/photos/zimbabwevigil/. Please note: Vigil photos can only be downloaded from our Flickr website.
Events and Notices:
Next Vigil meeting outside the Zimbabwe Embassy. Saturday 1st April from 2 – 5 pm. We meet on the first and third Saturdays of every month. On other Saturdays the virtual Vigil will run.
The Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe (ROHR) is the Vigil’s partner organisation based in Zimbabwe. ROHR grew out of the need for the Vigil to have an organisation on the ground in Zimbabwe which reflected the Vigil’s mission statement in a practical way. ROHR in the UK actively fundraises through membership subscriptions, events, sales etc to support the activities of ROHR in Zimbabwe.
The Vigil’s book ‘Zimbabwe Emergency’ is based on our weekly diaries. It records how events in Zimbabwe have unfolded as seen by the diaspora in the UK. It chronicles the economic disintegration, violence, growing oppression and political manoeuvring – and the tragic human cost involved. It is available at the Vigil. All proceeds go to the Vigil and our sister organisation the Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe’s work in Zimbabwe. The book is also available from Amazon.
Facebook pages:
Vigil :https ://www.facebook.com/zimbabwevigil
ROHR: https://www.facebook.com/Restoration-of-Human-Rights-ROHR-Zimbabwe-International-370825706588551/
ZAF: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Zimbabwe-Action-Forum-ZAF/490257051027515
The Vigil, outside the Zimbabwe Embassy, 429 Strand, London meets regularly on Saturdays from 14.00 to 17.00 to protest against gross violations of human rights in Zimbabwe. The Vigil which started in October 2002 will continue until internationally-monitored, free and fair elections are held in Zimbabwe.