Zimbabwe Vigil Diary 17th August 2024

https://www.flickr.com/photos/zimbabwevigil/53930344557/sizes/m/

More than 120 activists have been arbitrarily arrested and are currently in prison for just being seen together. According to a well-known activist based in Bulawayo, tensions amid fears of a planned a uprising on the side-lines of the SADC summit have reached boiling point such that police and soldiers on patrol are now treating with suspicion any 2 or more people moving together. Zimbabwe is currently under a brutal military dictatorship. Those at the Vigil were concerned that the SADC summit was a significant milestone in trashing democracy in Zimbabwe and within the regional bloc.

Some Vigil activists wondered why the opposition in Zimbabwe naively turned to SADC following the sham 2023 election, when they fully knew this was a body in place to look after the interests of its membership, the presidents. Others questioned the wisdom of the opposition giving false hope to the people of Zimbabwe by suggesting that SADC would bring relief to the suffering masses through a rerun of the disputed election.

With Mnangagwa now Chair of the SADC bloc, where is the opposition going to turn? Surely, that puts to bed any question of legitimacy around Mnangagwa and his regime. It is not surprising  that Mnangagwa is on record as declaring ‘2030 ndinenge ndichipo’ (I’ll still be in power come 2030). Zimbabwe desperately needs a new beginning, a new agenda and a new leadership.

Thanks to those who came today: Delice Gavazah, Charles Kanyimo, Chantelle Manyande, Chester Manyande, Margaret Manyande, Philip Maponga, Mashama Mazise and Ephraim Tapa. For photos, check: https://www.flickr.com/photos/zimbabwevigil/albums/72177720319611665.

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:

• ROHR Barbecue and Beach Party. Saturday 31^st August.
• Next Vigil meeting outside the Zimbabwe Embassy. Saturday 7^th September from 2 – 5 pm. We meet on the first and third Saturdays of every month. On other Saturdays the virtual Vigil will run.
• ROHR Petition Submission. Saturday 7^th September.
• 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.