Source: Independence, what Independence! – Zimbabwe Vigil Diary 19th April 2025
https://www.flickr.com/photos/
Thanks to those who came today: Kudzwai Madhodha, Chido Makawa, Philip Maponga, Patricia Masamba and Ephraim Tapa. Photos:https://www.flickr.com/
Independence, what Independence!
This was the overwhelming reaction from Vigil activists as they processed the so-called Independence celebrations in Gokwe this Friday:
- With over 6 million Zimbabweans hiding or eking out a living in foreign lands
- With the health service in Zimbabwe totally collapsed or a preserve of the rich or those linked to ZANU PF (musician Tendai Pinjisi died recently crying out for pain relief)
- With the national railway system archaic and roads in a very dangerous state (despite tollgate money machines operating 24/7)
- With the education system now in the hands of profit seekers nationwide due to an acute shortage of schools
- With the closing of the democratic space that had been left following the annihilation of the opposition by the state (Mnangagwa recently signed into law the Private Voluntary Organisations Act that empowers the ZANU PF government minister to register, monitor and approve boards of all civil society organisations without recourse to the law)
- What Independence, with the Chinese ravaging Zimbabwe’s resources with the help of corrupt ZANU PF and government officials, to the detriment of the poor masses
- What independence, when ZANU PF is now in the hands of the military, who run a dictatorship and will not countenance any opposition or challenge to its excesses in the application of power
The list goes on.
Zimbabwe Independence is for the few in ZANU PF who continually loot national resources and put them under their private control. They also steal elections to remain in power so they can protect their loot and loot further for their unborn children.
Zimbabwe is no longer for the faint hearted; if the poor get sick they die, if they complain they get killed, if they don’t obey orders they get disappeared and tortured, if they decide to vend on the streets they get their goods stolen by police. It’s a war zone!
Independence, what Independence!!!!
For Vigil pictures check: http://www.flickr.com/
Events and Notices:
- Next Vigil meeting outside the Zimbabwe Embassy. Saturday 3rd May 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.
ROHR: https://www.
ZAF: https://www.
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.
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