Christians are taught that forgiveness follows repentance but what we find In Zanu PF Mark II is not repentance but triumphalism and a cynical off-loading of blame and personal responsibility.
Mugabe certainly didn’t show any contrition for 37 years of misgovernment and rampant corruption when he flew to Singapore for his latest round of medical treatment at our expense. MDC MP Eddie Cross estimates that Mugabe’s rule cost 7.5 million lives (see: http://www.zimbabwesituation.com/news/the-cost-of-the-mugabe-era/).
And there has been no repentance from former Agriculture Minister Joseph Made who is under arrest after inspectors found a spectacular haul of loot on his farm – one of the biggest in Manicaland.
Made – always known to the Vigil as ‘mad Made’ – was revealed to be hoarding six state-of-the-art generators each with a capacity to light the whole of Rusape. Other loot lying idle included brand new wheelchairs still in their boxes and ten huge centre pivot irrigation systems as well as seven brand new tractors. Also found was two tonnes of expired maize seed as well as expired medicines.
Only a fraction of the farm was being used and, of course, none of the workers had been paid for the last twelve months (see: http://www.herald.co.zw/made-loots-farm-equipment-worth-millions/).
Hungry people in Zimbabwe might find it difficult to forgive Made. And we doubt they will be overjoyed by the appointment as Vice-President of the leader of the ‘not a military’ coup General Constantine Chiwenga.
We arrived outside the Embassy to find a group of Ndebele protesters, seemingly unaware that we had been protesting against Gukurahundi in that space for the past 800 weeks. Rather optimistically, they insisted on addressing the passing public in Ndebele and on playing a loud sound system although we had reached an understanding with local people ten or more years ago not to subject them to a sound barrage.
Whatever Mnangagwa might say the Ndebeles have made it clear that they have no intention of forgiving and forgetting.
Other points
- After the last Vigil before Christmas we wish all our readers good wishes for Christmas and the New Year.
- Thanks to those who came early to set up and stayed till the end of the Vigil to help pack up: Shylette Chipangura, Josephine Jombe, Jonathan Kariwo, Alice Majola, Theodora Mandishaya, Roseline Mukucha and Alfredy Mukuvare. Thanks also to Roseline, Josephine and Shylette for looking after the front table, to Alfredy, Jonathan, Alice, Theodora and Allen Mandaza for putting up the banners and to Alice and Theodora for handing out flyers.
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: 17 signed the register.
EVENTS AND NOTICES:
- Swaziland Vigil. Saturday 6th January from 10 am to 1 pm outside the Swaziland High Commission, 20 Buckingham Gate, London SW1E 6LB.
- ROHR Central London branch meeting. Saturday 20th January from 11.30 am – 1.30 pm. Venue: Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX. Contact: Daisy Fabian 07708653640, Maxmus Savanhu 07397809056, Sipho Ndlovu 07400566013.
- 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.
- The Vigil’s book ‘Zimbabwe Emergency’ is based on our weekly diaries. It records how events in Zimbabwe have unfolded over the past 15 years as seen by the diaspora in the UK. It chronicles the economic disintegration, violence, growing oppression and political manoeuvring – and the tragic human cost involved. It is available at the Vigil for £10. All proceeds will go to the Vigil and our sister organisation the Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe’s work in Zimbabwe. The book is also available from Amazon.
- 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.
- Facebook pages:
Vigil: https://www.facebook.com/zimbabwevigil
ROHR: https://www.facebook.com/Restoration-of-Human-Rights-ROHR-Zimbabwe-International-370825706588551/
ZAF: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Zimbabwe-Action-Forum-ZAF/490257051027515