Our families and friends in Zimbabwe are foremost in our minds at this time, although we will not be meeting outside the Embassy on Christmas Day. We will meet next week as usual here is why: MDC Activists Flee As Election Campaign Begins in Gutu
http://www.zimbabwesituation.com/dec19_2010.html#Z6
NYAZVIDZI, December 18, 2010 Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T) activists from Nyazvidzi area in Gutu North constituency are fleeing to neighbouring urban settlements after armed soldiers, police, Zanu (PF) youths and war veterans started victimizing them as campaign for next years anticipated elections begin.
Activists who spoke to Radio Vop on Friday said they were afraid to stay in their villages after fellow villagers were severely beaten during previous elections. Legislator for the area Admore Maramwidze Hamandishe confirmed the development saying at least two people are dying in his constituency every month due to injuries sustained from politically motivated assaults. There are no more MDC-T youths here. All of them are fleeing after Zanu PF youth, war veterans and armed soldiers who patrol the area openly announced that they are prepared to slaughter our supporters like goats before pouring acid on them as soon as we start campaigning. The threats are not taken lightly since we bury our comrades every two weeks, said Hamandishe.
The latest victims of violence in Gutu North are Crispen Gurajena and his wife Raina who died in Gutu Mission Hospital last week. The two left young children who are afraid to stay at home alone.
Since the death of our parents, we are afraid to stay at home alone. We meet the people who killed our parents everyday and we are not sure of what they might do to us. The same people who killed our parents came here and took all things including the plough, maize seed and other property, leaving us with nothing, said Tafadzwa Gurajena, 16, their son who wept bitterly during the interview.
The deceased were ordered to eat their faeces on the day they fell victim for their support for the MDC-T.Ward three chairman. Phillip Mahachi said his wife Mavis, 38, is admitted in a hospital in Harare as she failed to recover since the day she was beaten.
All our children are no longer staying with us. They fled and they are now living in safer areas. My wife is critically ill and I am afraid that she might be the next victim of this violence, said Mahachi. War veterans led by retired colonel identified as Masanganise are moving around Gutu threatening to crush the MDC-T supporters like flies if they did not support President Mugabe. Hamandishe said the government must make sure that the issue of national healing was addressed as a matter of urgent.
Albeit late, we were pleased to come across the following article: Vigil: a cry for a new Zimbabwe continues . . . by Gilbert Bere (see: http://www.zimeye.org/?p=20005). Gilbert is a columnist on the Zimeye website.
The process of nation building is both cumbersome and painful. Without sound legal prescriptions, even the strongest of nations will crumble- Zimbabwe is no exception. Now the big question is: as the architecture of a new Zimbabwe, what should we do? We can not pay a blind eye to the problems in Zimbabwe and hope that some James Bond will show up with a blazing sword and clean up- our mess. The time is conducive and the long journey to a new Zimbabwe which is at peace with itself is gaining momentum by the passing of each day. I applaud Vigil Coalition UK for their steadfast campaign for a democratic Zimbabwe since 2002. Despite constant pressures from the powers that be, Vigil continues to play a pivotal role in the struggle for a new Zimbabwe.
Vigils weekly protests which seek to bring to the surface the current problems confronting Zimbabwe have become a common feature at the Zimbabwe House in London. Scores of resilient Zimbabweans gather weekly drawing the worlds attention to Zimbabwes political, social and economic challenges. Those who attend these weekly events since its inception in 2002 have demonstrated beyond any reasonable doubt their commitment to the rebirth of a new Zimbabwe.
Vigil as it stands represents Zimbabwe and gives its people the platform to export our culture to the wider world, namely,order and peace two characteristics embedded within the common Zimbabwean life.
The struggle for a new Zimbabwe continues and Vigil today as in 2002, still plays its crucial role.
Vigil Co-ordinators
The Vigil, outside the Zimbabwe Embassy, 429 Strand, London, takes place every Saturday from 14.00 to 18.00 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: http://www.zimvigil.co.uk.
Post published in: Uncategorized