Thanks to those who came today: Jonathan Kariwo, Chantelle Manyande, Philip Maponga, Noble Mwashita, Ephraim Tapa and Tatenda Tsumba. Photos: https://www.flickr.com/…/zimb…/albums/72177720331263245/
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Meanwhile, the Acting President Rtd General Constantino Guveya Chivengwa appeared to publicly snub a handshake from Defence Minister and ZANU PF’s national Chairman, Oppah Kashiri Muchinguri. This happened during the burial of late national hero Brigadier-General (retired), Mathias Tizirai Ngarava on 3 January 2025, at Zimbabwe’s national heroes’ acre, Harare. Oppah Muchinguri could be seen embarrassingly pulling back her extended hand and appearing confused as to what next. There are unconfirmed reports within the public domain that suggest Oppah and her daughter are involved in drug trafficking with impunity.
It would appear the Acting President’s moral campaign against corruption, in which he again chastised the ‘zvigananda (rogues)’ is apparently targeted at Oppah Muchinguri, and the other usual suspects, including Wicknell Chivhayo, Kudakwashe Tagwirei, Scott Sakupwanya, Tungwarara, the list goes on.
With reports suggesting that Wicknell Chivhayo has donated USD 5 million worth of vehicles to ZANU PF, one wonders if Chiwenga will win this war, or he, like those before him (Edgar Tekere, Margaret Dongo, Simba Makoni, Joshua Nkomo, Ndabaningi Sithole), will fall by the wayside in this high stakes succession struggle within ZANU PF.
One thing is clear though, all is not well within ZANU PF and the infighting, finger-pointing, counter-blaming, is set to escalate even more until the succession question is resolved.
In the meantime, the gap between the rich and the poor continues to grow exponentially and more than half of the population languishes in abject poverty. The poor in Zimbabwe have only God to turn to whilst the rich and powerful claim everything good in Zimbabwe.
As for human rights, this has now been pushed to the dustbin of the state’s priorities. Zimbabweans needs to rise up against the military dictatorship and fight for what rightly belongs to them!
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:
Next Vigil meeting outside the Zimbabwe Embassy. Saturday 17th January 2026 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.
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/
The Vigil, outside the Zimbabwe Embassy, 429 Strand, London meets regularly on Saturdays from 14.00 to 17.00 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.