Zimbabwe’s ‘perfect storm’

The South Africa-based think tank NKC African Economics, which is associated with Oxford University, says Zimbabwe is on the brink of total collapse and the infighting in Zanu PF could trigger unprecedented chaos. In a report titled ‘Renewed violence an inevitable consequence of regime decay’, NKC says Zanu PF is walking dead (see: http://www.zimbabwesituation.com/news/zimsit_w_zimbabwe-on-the-brink-dailynews-live/). NGOs and Western governments have also expressed alarm at the mounting violence (see, for example: Police brutality not the answer – https://www.newsday.co.zw/2015/11/18/police-brutality-not-the-answer/).

At the same time, MDC T MP Eddie Cross says Zimbabwe is facing food shortages because of a drought of the same magnitude as experienced in 2008 when the United States stepped in to provide maize. ‘This year we are on our own; aid agencies do not have the budget to help, our government does not have the capacity to step into the breach and the private sector is as broke as everyone else. We better all go to church this Sunday and pray forrain’ (see: https://www.thezimbabwean.co/2015/11/the-implications-of-another-regional-crop-failure/).

It is not as if President Mugabe is on hand to take charge of affairs. He is always away in his role as one of the world’s great statesmen – stumbling from one international meeting to another dispensing wisdom. People in Zimbabwe looking for government guidance might suggest that he should charge these foreign freeloaders for his advice.

Although ZAnu PF is tearing itself apart, he will have to go to Paris for a climate-change meeting even as theparty gathers at Victoria Falls for its conference. Zimbabweans can only begrateful that mother of the nation Dr Grace will be there to hand out adultsize 12 plastic shoes to the children (see: http://www.zimeye.com/grace-mugabe-donates-size-13-shoes-to-toddlers/).

Another relief would be if the Health Minister Dr David Parirenyatwa is sufficiently embarrassed to pay for the conference from his spoils from the bankrupt Premier Services Medical Aid Society (see: Mugabe must demand Parirenyatwa explanation – http://www.zimbabwesituation.com/news/zimsit_w_mugabe-must-demand-parirenyatwa-explanation/). Incidentally, the Vigil notes that between January and June this year donors provided eight times as much for Zimbabwe’s social services as the government (see: http://www.financialgazette.co.zw/government-at-mercy-of-donors/).

Other points

• On a bitterly cold Saturday – first of the winter –Sister Bev Mutandiro led us in prayer for peace in Zimbabwe in the face of growing signs of violence.
• The Vigil ended on a vibrant note with rousing singing and drumming. Passers-by joined in the dancing.
• Thanks to those who came early to help set up: Audry Chamangira, Livert Zhuwao, Beverley and Kennedy Mutandiro, Henrietta Mlambo and Fungayi Mabhunu. Thanks to those who stayed to the end to help pack  up: Beverley Mutandiro, Chido Makawa, Dennis Benton, Faith Bhebhe, Fungayi Mabhunu, Ishmael Makina, Jennipher Sabe, Lipi Mhlope, Lovemore Mukeyani, Marjory Kunaka, Rose Benton and Zondiwe Gumede.
• We have received a reply from the General Medical Council to a complaint we made against the activities of DrSylvester Nyatsuro who runs a clinic in Nottingham. Although he is a British citizen he is trying to seize a farm in Zimbabwe owned by a white Zimbabwean. The GMC’s letter thanks us for bringing the matter to their attention.

For latest Vigil pictures check: http://www.flickr.com/photos/zimbabwevigil/. Please note: Vigil photos can only be downloaded from our Flickr website.

FOR THE RECORD: 22 signed the register.

EVENTS AND NOTICES:

• ROHR Reading Christmas PartyFundraiser. Saturday 28^th November from 7:30 – 11 pm. Venue: The Spice Oven Buffet Restaurant, 2 – 4 Church Street, Reading RG4 8AT. Theme: to restore dignity to the suffering people of Zimbabwe. Tickets: £25 per adult, free entry for children under 5 years. For more information, contact: Deborah Harry (07578894896), Charles Mararirakwenda (07964731721), Joshua Kahari (07877246251), Shyline (07827493930)
• 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.
• Next Swaziland Vigil. Saturday 28^th November from 10 am to 1 pm outside the Swaziland High Commission, 20 Buckingham Gate, London SW1E 6LB.
• Monthly Itai Dzamara protest. Saturday 6^th December from 2 – 6 pm outside the Zimbabwe Embassy in London. The protest is to mark nine months since Dzamara’s abduction by intelligence agents.
• Zimbabwe Yes We Can Movement holds monthly meetings in London as the political face of ROHR and the Vigil.
• 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.
• Zimbabwe Vigil Highlights 2014 can be viewed on this link: http://www.zimvigil.co.uk/vigil-news/campaign-news/642-zimbabwe-vigil-highlights-2014. Links to previous years’ highlights are listed on 2014 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

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.