The missing Mugabes – Zimbabwe Vigil Diary

https://www.flickr.com/photos/zimbabwevigil/36721495934/sizes/o/

After all, what’s another Rolls-Royce to the Mugabe family? Only a week or so ago Grace’s eldest son Russell Goreraza took delivery of two of them. But he acknowledged that there were other cars on the market and assured everyone that he had an Aston Martin on order.

So why didn’t Grace choose a car with more street credibility outside her bling world. In London, as everyone knows, it’s all Lamborghinis and Maseratis. Nobody drives a Roller any more. It’s as naff as a North Korean statue of Mugabe, let alone two of them.

But a Mugabe statue would certainly have a cachet in enlightened liberation circles. African leaders will walk round and round it in awe. Moses may have had his ten tablets but they would surely have been dwarfed by the two Mugabe statues – especially if they were mounted on top of each other in self-regarding ecstasy.

It was unfortunately not reassuring to us in the diaspora to hear that monumental Mugabe had dismissed the current fuss about the disappearance of money in Zimbabwe and the so-called shortages of fuel, food and medicines as ‘a one or two day wonder’. Perhaps it means he has no immediate plans to scoop up the remaining dollars in the market for another shopping trip abroad?

But the arrest mid-sermon of Pastor Evan Mawarire, leader of the Tajamuka movement, for criticizing the government suggests that the regime is feeling the heat. An indication of the seriousness of Zimbabwe’s economic crisis was given by Finance Minister Chinamasa at a dinner for Afreximbank which has apparently given Zimbabwe a billion dollar loan to stabilise the economy. According to the Herald, Mr Chinamasa appears to have given up on the fantasies of using the  money to pay off some of Zimbabwe’s debts in order to qualify for new loans from the World Bank. He will instead use the money for ‘productivity and economic growth initiatives’ .Such as more Rollers? (see: http://www.zimbabwesituation.com/news/afreximbank-to-bailout-zim/).

With Mugabe’s friends in North Korea under increased pressure who knows when the eagerly awaited statues will get to Zimbabwe.

Other points

• The Vigil’s book ‘Zimbabwe Emergency’ sold well at the first Vigil since its launch. It is now available on Amazon kindle. We are also finalizing arrangements for Amazon to print copies to sell on our behalf. (https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=zimbabwe+emergency).  
• Thanks to those who arrived early to help set up: Vimbayi Chambara, Joseph Chivayo, Babula Gwatiringa, Deborah Harry, Jonathan Kariwo, Sikhanyisiwe Kaziboni, Fungayi Mabhunu, Junior Madzimure, Heather Makawa Chitate, Cephas Maswoswa, Shiella Matiza, Getrude Mudede, Roseline Mukucha, Alfredy Mukuvare, Tambudzayi Nangwiya, Shepherd Nyamandi, Cecilliah Phiri, Rumbidzayi Sambana, Pearl Shambare and Michael Sirewu. Thanks to Roseline, Pearl and Rumbidzayi for looking after the front table, to Deborah, Babula and Junior for handing out flyers and selling wristbands and to Alfredy, Vimbayi and Jonathan  for putting up the banners.

For latest Vigil pictures check: http://www.flickr.com/photos/zimbabwevigil/. Please note: Vigil photos can only be downloaded from our Flickr website. The facebook page for our sister organisation Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe (ROHR) (https://www.facebook.com/ROHR-Zimbabwe-Restoration-of-Human-Rights-301811392835) has been hijacked by destructive elements from a group calling itself ZHRO. Please be advised that any postings on this page are not posted by ROHR.

FOR THE RECORD: 42 signed the register.

EVENTS AND NOTICES:

• The Zimbabwe Vigil’s 15^th Anniversary. Saturday 14^th October from 2 – 6 pm outside the Zimbabwe Embassy. The Vigil started on 12^th October 2002 and we are marking our 15^th anniversary on the closest Saturday. Please come and join us to commemorate our long struggle.
• Swaziland Vigil. Saturday 14^th October from 10 am to 1 pm outside the Swaziland High Commission, 20 Buckingham Gate, London SW1E 6LB.
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• Zimbabwe Action Forum meets regularly after the Vigil to discuss ways to help those back in Zimbabwe to fight oppression and achieve true democracy.
• Zimbabwe Yes We Can Movement holds meetings in London as the political face of ROHR and the Vigil.
• Zimbabwe Vigil Highlights 2016 can be viewed on this link: http://www.zimvigil.co.uk/vigil-news/campaign-news/843-zimbabwe-vigil-highlights-2016. Links to previous years’ highlights are listed on 2016 Highlights page.
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