Zimbabwe Vigil Diary: 21st January 2023

https://www.flickr.com/photos/zimbabwevigil/52640631266/sizes/m/

Concern was however expressed at the increasing violence in Zimbabwe as the election looms.

The recent arrest of the Kuwadzana 25 CCC activists at a house meeting and a video that surfaced on 8 January 2023 showing CCC members being severely tortured and harassed demonstrate a worrying pattern of violence and intimidation of opposition activists.

Personnel from our sister organisation The Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe report that they are now living in fear of arbitrary arrests and torture, and that more and more opposition meetings are now held in people’s homes to avoid being attacked by Zanu PF forces.

ROHR further reports that two of its activists were part of those arrested while attending a Citizens’ Coalition for Change meeting. Along with other sister organisations, they were carrying out voter education, a key tenet to a free, fair and credible election. Encouragingly, they remain undaunted by the difficulties ahead.

Thanks to those who attended today: Mercy Bayipayi, Rose Benton, Anna Chikoti, Kudzai Chikowore, Deborah Harry, Jonathan Kariwo, Chido Makawa, Heather Makawa, Philip Maponga, Locadia Meda, Ephraim Tapa and Kevin Wheeldon. For photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/zimbabwevigil/albums/72177720305407621.

The Institute of Commonwealth Studies is holding an online lunchtime Seminar on Wednesday 1^st February from 12.30 – 14.00 on prospects for Zimbabwe to rejoin the Commonwealth. For more information, check: https://commonwealth.sas.ac.uk/events/zimbabwe-and-commonwealth. If you want to participate you will need to book.

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

Events and Notices:

• Zimbabwe and the Commonwealth. Wednesday 1^st February from 12.30 – 14.00. Online seminar held by the Institute of Commonwealth Studies. For more information and to book, check: https://commonwealth.sas.ac.uk/events/zimbabwe-and-commonwealth.
• Next Vigil meeting outside the Zimbabwe Embassy. Saturday 4^th February from 2 – 5 pm. We meet on the first and third Saturdays of every month. On other Saturdays the virtual Vigil will run.
• The Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe (ROHR) is the Vigil’s partner organisation based in Zimbabwe. ROHR grew out of the need for the Vigil to have an organisation 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 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. All proceeds 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.
• 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