SADC save Zimbabwe

https://www.flickr.com/photos/zimbabwevigil/27631559516/sizes/m/

A Vigil delegation was given a courteous reception at the High Commission, being greeted by its defence secretary, a bridadier, and then introduced to a senior diplomat, who accepted a letter to pass on to President Ian Khama as Chair of SADC. They were interested to hear that a member of the delegation had been at school with President Khama in Zambia. Our letter said:

‘Dear President Khama

In the last 15 years or so Zimbabweans have increasingly looked to Botswana as a model of good governance. We have been comforted that Botswana could always be relied on to speak the truth to President Mugabe – even if it was a lone voice.

We are grateful for your patience in the face of the influx of Zimbabwean refugees and other problems we have caused you as our country’s economy collapsed. You have been a true friend and we will not forget your solidarity with our suffering people.

Your predecessor, former President Festus Mogae, was quoted by the UN recently as saying: ‘Sovereignty has limits like any other right. A leader cannot kill and harass his people and hide behind sovereignty. A true leader does not kill but protects his people. We still have leaders in Africa who think they are indispensable, larger than life and more important than their countries. That must stop. If a leader loses control, the world will and should intervene to save the people.’

We of the Zimbabwe Vigil have been protesting outside the Zimbabwe Embassy in London for the past 14 years demanding an end to human rights violations and calling for free and fair elections. We fear that our country could be torn apart as President Mugabe clings to office into his nineties with no designated successor. 

In your closing months as Chair of the Southern African Development Community we submit to you the following petition calling for SADC intercession to avert disaster. The petition has been signed by thousands of people from all over the world who have passed by our Vigil outside the Embassy.

“To the Chair of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), President Ian Khama of Botswana We wish to alert you to alarming threats by the military in Zimbabwe to employ violence against people opposed to the Zanu PF regime. The threats come amid worsening splits in the party and rising popular outrage at the demolition of the homes of the poor and the imposition of pre-paid water meters for an unreliable supply. The Commander of the Presidential Guard Brigadier-General Anselem Sanyatwe has threatened force to stop ousted Vice-President Joice Mujuru from opposing Mugabe. He told his troops ‘Professionalism is over . . . Zanu PF should rule forever’. The national army commander Lieutenant-General Phillip Sibanda later warned that ‘the Zanu PF axe’ could be wielded again. You will be aware that Zimbabwe has recently been judged the worst governed country in SADC. Bad governance has destroyed the economy, reducing people to desperation while the ruling elite drive past in their luxury cars from their mansions to the expensive restaurants. There is growing resentment. Provocative moves by the military could cause an explosion of anger. We call on SADC to prepare to intervene to stop a meltdown.”

We remember how SADC facilitated the government of national unity after the violent 2008 elections, arresting catastrophe. It is not for Zimbabweans in the diaspora to prescribe what any solution should be but we want a government that observes the rule of law and will conduct free and fair elections. We believe this is the key to the restoration of Zimbabwe.

Yours sincerely

Zimbabwe Vigil Co-ordinators’

The following people made up the delegation on Tuesday: Alfredy Mukuvare, Anna Pfende, Cephas Maswoswa, Chipo Kamhunga, Chipo Parirenyatwa, Deborah Harry, Dennis Benton, Eldridge Culverwell, Esther Munyira, John Burke, Percy Dube, Rose Benton and Rosemary Maponga.

Other points

• There was great interest in a report the Vigil put out on Monday about the closure of the NHS clinic in Nottingham run by Zimbabwean doctor Sylvester Nyatsuro and his wife Veronica who have violently seized a farm in Zimbawe owned by a white couple (see: http://zimvigil.co.uk/vigil-news/campaign-news/791-british-medical-centre-run-by-zimbabwean-doctor-closed). Latest news we have is that the sudden closure of the clinic was to protect the welfare of the patients. We are waiting for a full statement from the National Health Service.
• We are glad to hear from the Occupy Africa Unity Square protestors that their arrested activists have now all been released after bail was paid. They include Linda Masarire who memorably declared: ‘We are sick and tired of being sick and tired’. Lynda is a member of our sister organisation Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe (ROHR). We are told that some of the protestors have lost their jobs and nearly all have lost their phones so donations for their welfare would be welcome. If you wish to contribute, please ecocash +263774059140. The recommended route is worldremit.com. For a statement by the protestors check: http://www.bulawayo24.com/index-id-opinion-sc-columnist-byo-90434.html.
• ‘The economic crisis which has brought Zimbabwe to its knees has nothing to do with United States sanctions but the failure by President Robert Mugabe’s government to pay the country’s debts.’ This is what NewZimbabwe reported from a meeting addressed by the US Ambassador in Harare on Thursday (see: http://allafrica.com/stories/201606170151.html – Zimbabwe: Sanctions Not Responsible for Zimbabwe’s Crisis – Says U.S. Ambassador). Predictably the government propaganda organ The Chronicle took a different line. Its headline was: Illegal sanctions hurting Zimbabwe: US Envoy (see: http://www.chronicle.co.zw/illegal-sanctions-hurting-zimbabwe-us-envoy/). The Vigil knows who to believe.
• Thanks to those who came early to help set up: Rashiwe Bayisayi, Benjamin Chigamba, Mavis Chisvo, Isabell Gwatidzo, Barbara Kachidza, Etines Kapiya, Fungayi Mabhunu, Phillip Mahlahla, Nancy Makurira, Rosemary Maponga, Cephas Maswoswa, Sharon Moyo, Eletha Mpofu, Roseline Mukucha, Alfredy Mukuvare, Esther Munyira, Mandifusa Mushambadope, Mduduzi Ndlovu, Chipo Parirenyatwa, Anna Pfende and Elector Zvorwadza. Thanks to Roseline, Sharon and Esther for looking after the front table and to Cephas, Benjamin, Alfredy, Phillip and Mduduzi for putting up the banners. Chipo P and Isabell worked hard to raise funds through ROHR Central London branch’s lucky dip which was made more enticing by the following contributions: chocolates from Chipo P, eyeshadow and moisturiser from Roseline and a teddy bear from John Burke. ROHR Reading branch members Elector and Barbara sold raffle tickets for their forthcoming fundraiser.

For latest Vigil pictures check: http://www.flickr.com/photos/zimbabwevigil/. Please note: Vigil photos can only be downloaded from our Flickr website. For videos of Vigils and other events, check the ROHR facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/www.rohrzimbabwe.org/videos?fref=photo.

FOR THE RECORD: 47 signed the register.

EVENTS AND NOTICES:

• ROHR Middlesbrough branch general meeting. Saturday 25^th June from 1.30 – 5 pm. Venue: Student Centre, Clarendon Building, Teesside University, Middlesbrough TS1 3BA. For more information please contact Ndumiso Ncube 07532080247, Xoliso Sithole 07455911728,Henrietta N Mlilo 079313110024, Tapiwa Semwayo 07412236229 and Esther Munyira 07460861487.
• ROHR Leicester ‘Feed the Children’ Fundraiser. Saturday 25^th June from 2 – 6 pm. Venue: the Salvation Army, Kildare Street, Leicester LE1 3FY. Directions: Opposite Peking Chinese Restaurant, City Centre. Contact: Enniah Dube 07403439707, Yvonne Makombe 07453909247 and Moline Nyabonda 07961250525. The high tea is to fundraise for a project ROHR Leicester wants to undertake in Zimbabwe feeding school children in Hwange province.
• 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 us.
• Swaziland Vigil. Saturday 25^th June from 10 am to 1 pm outside the Swaziland High Commission, 20 Buckingham Gate, London SW1E 6LB.
• MDC Youth Family Fun Day. Saturday 25^th June from 2 pm until late. Venue: Billing Aquadrome, Crow Lane, Northampton NN3 9DA. For more information contact: Sharon Moyo (07877224113) Organising Secretary and Vusumuzi Ncube (07758937280) Youth Chair.
• ROHR National Executive meeting. Saturday 2^nd July from 11 am to 1.30 pm. Venue: Strand Continental Hotel (first floor lounge), 143 Strand, London WC2R 1JA. For directions see below.
• Zimbabwe Action Forum (ZAF). Saturday 2^nd July from 6.15 pm. Venue: Strand Continental Hotel (first floor lounge), 143 Strand, London WC2R 1JA. From the Vigil it’s about a 10 minute walk, in the direction away from Trafalgar Square. The Strand Continental is situated on the south side of the Strand between Somerset House and the turn off onto Waterloo Bridge. The entrance is marked by a sign at street level. It’s between a newsagent and a shop. Nearest underground: Temple (District and Circle lines) and Holborn.
• Zimbabwe Action Forum (ZAF) meets regularly after the Vigil to discuss ways to help those back in Zimbabwe to fight oppression and achieve true democracy.
• Protest at Zimbabwe Conference 2016 ‘Rebooting and Rebuilding’. Tuesday 5^th July from 8 am onwards. Venue: outside DLA Piper UK LLP, 3 Noble Street, London EC2V 7EE. More information as our plans firm up. For more information: http://africa-confidential-meetings.com/.
• Monthly Itai Dzamara protest Saturday 9^th July from 2 – 6 pm outside the Zimbabwe Embassy in London. The protest is to mark sixteen months since Dzamara’s abduction by intelligence agents.
• Zimbabwe Yes We Can Movement holds meetings in London as the political face of ROHR and the Vigil.
• Zimbabwe Vigil Highlights 2015 can be viewed on this link: http://www.zimvigil.co.uk/vigil-news/campaign-news/746-zimbabwe-vigil-highlights-2015. Links to previous years’ highlights are listed on 2015 Highlights page.
• Facebook pages:

Vigil: https://www.facebook.com/zimbabwevigil

ZAF: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Zimbabwe-Action-Forum-ZAF/490257051027515

ROHR: https://www.facebook.com/ROHR-Zimbabwe-Restoration-of-Human-Rights-301811392835