JOHANNESBURG A new movement called, The Movement for the Zimbabweans Right to Vote has been established in South Africa to educate Zimbabweans based here on their rights and start a nationwide campaign to enable them to vote in future elections. In the short three months that we have been in operation here in Limpopo we are astonished at how little information is getting back to grass root Zimbabweans living and working here in South Africa, said committee member Patrick McGaffin.
The committee is comprised of four Zimbabweans and one South African. Their strategy has been divided into three divisions to enable them to achieve their objectives.
The first is their Zimbabwean division which will consist of Zimbabweans responsible for establishing branches of the Movement in South Africa. These branches will have the task of obtaining the signatures of an estimated two million Zimbabweans in this country. These branches will also be responsible for informing local councils and police of the Movement’s activities.
We have already found complete co-operation from the councils and police we have dealt with especially in relation to this vexatious problem of xenophobia, said McGaffin.
The second division is responsible for raising and distributing funds.
To date we have raised a not very exciting R8000 but which has helped us print thousands of copies of our manifesto and petitions and posters, said McGrath.
The third division is related to logistics. It has the job of physically transporting Zimbabweans home for future elections. It will also handle publicity, protection issues and will liaise with other NGOs.
We feel very strongly that this whole movement must be Zimbabwean driven and is done on behalf of people who simply wish to have the opportunity to vote in their own country, McGrath concluded.
Post published in: News