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We are less than 7 days away and the excitement is building. [At the time of writing on Saturday 14th August 2021]
The weather forecasts (so far) look good - cloudy - but no rain - ideal for a long walk. Keeping cool is part of the strategy - especially one's feet! Plenty of changes of socks and talcum powder.
This year we must welcome Daisy Motlogwa and her husband, Moses, as he was newly released from detention only this week. Daisy will be driving down from Newcastle to Brighton [346 miles distance and expected to take 5 hours and 30 minutes] on the Friday preceding the "Walk for Freedom" [Friday 20th August 2021]. She will be arriving with her 3 children too, and will stay overnight at a local activist's house in adjacent Hove.
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Today on the 11th August 2021 we had TWO Vigils/Demonstrations. One in London outside the Zimbabwe Embassy, the other in the City centre of Newcastle.
In London the modest Wednesday Vigil was graced with Natasha Dyer, who was looking into xenophobia and discrimination for a research project. Focusing on the effect on women in particular. The Women at the Vigil spoke on the issues that they have faced in the UK. In their everyday lives, work and particularly in the asylum process. Natasha was referred to us by Diane Taylor, at the Guardian Newspaper. During this discrimination against Zimbabweans [and Jamaicans, Vietnamese, Afghans etc as well] today Diane at the Guardian reported that just 7 Jamaicans left this morning on a chartered plane, which was estimated to have cost the British Tax-Payer £43,000 for each Jamaican Forcibly removed. A great deal of money, ostensibly to make a "Political Statement".
In London, songs were sung, drums and shakers were played to accompany the verbal insults to the Zanu PF 'so-called' leadership in Zimbabwe. We have to keep pointing out that the tragedy in Zimbabwe is exclusively the responsibility of the ruling Zanu PF political Party. But please, don't just take our word for it. This is PART of a report by the US Embassy in Harare, Zimbabwe, concerning several aspects of the realities in Zimbabwe. The Full Report is available CLICK HERE
“Significant human rights issues included: unlawful or arbitrary killings of civilians by security forces; torture and arbitrary detention by security forces; cases of cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment; harsh and life-threatening prison conditions; political prisoners or detainees; arbitrary or unlawful interference with privacy; serious problems with the independence of the judiciary; serious government restrictions on free expression, press, and the internet, including violence, threats of violence, or unjustified arrests or prosecutions against journalists, censorship, site blocking, and the existence of criminal libel laws; substantial interference with the rights of peaceful assembly and freedom of association; restrictions on freedom of movement; restrictions on political participation; widespread acts of corruption; lack of investigation of and accountability for violence against women; crimes involving violence or threats of violence targeting women and girls, and the existence of laws criminalizing consensual same-sex sexual conduct between adults, although not enforced.”
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Setting off early from the South Coast, the Demo lead Organisers for the Zimbabwe Community Appeal arrived at the Zimbabwe Embassy at 9:30am some 90 minutes too early for the 11:00am start!
However this was the first Wednesday Vigil event since the "Lock-down" insanity prevented us from legally demonstrating since the 11th March 2020. Something that only benefited those "spys" within the Zimbabwe Embassy itself.
They were 'shell-shocked' on Wednesday 4th August - and felt intimidated enough to call out the Diplomatic Protection guys - two nice motor cycle policemen - who were well versed with the usual peaceful Zimbabwean vigils. So we had a very constructive chat about the injustices of the UK Home Office and the Zanu PF junta in Zimbabwe. Later in the day we have a visit from a young Police constable from another Police Station - which was very odd - as the Embassy is directly opposite the main Charring Cross Police Station. Maybe that Station could see we were offering zero threat to the Embassy Staff from their windows!
A total of 72 people were present, the majority were Zimbabwean, but there was a few British people and 2 Phillipinos who came with the "Status Now" banner and support. The protestors had placards, drums and shakers - they were making great music. The songs were about the Zanu PF ruling party and the crimes against their own people committed over the last 41 years.
ZHRO Says Justice for Memory
Zimbabweans from the Zimbabwe Human Rights Organisation (ZHRO) met on Wednesday 4th August 2021 to take part in a peaceful planned protest to fight for amongst other things Justice For Memory, a 14 year old girl who’s rapist is apparently known by the community, but is still to be arrested by the police or condemned by the Executive.
The ZHRO members met outside the Zimbabwean Embassy at 429 the Strand London to protest the continued degradation of Human Rights in Zimbabwe, especially the lack of rights of children and young girls who are dying in labour at the tender age of just 14 years old, after being forced into marriage whilst the Presidents Office and family turn a blind eye to the suffering of the most vulnerable in society.
Following the awarding of the Zimbabwean First Lady with a National Honours medal by her Husband the President on National Heroes Day on the 9th of August 2021, the award was in the wake of the rape and death in labour of a 14 year old girl. Unfortunately but typically it seems the President and the whole Executive branch is distancing itself from the awards that they gave on Heroes day and the failed arrest of the paedophile.
Instead of actually pushing for the right of the girl child and young women, the Zimbabwe African National Union Patriotic Front, (ZANU PF) seems to burying their rotten big heads in sand soiled with bodies of young girls turned into child brides.
The entire Government seems ignorant to protecting the most vulnerable children and young girls in society. The latest news is that the President is distancing himself from the awards ceremony. It also seems the Presidential Spokes person is also distancing himself from the same awards ceremony. It seems they are trying to implicate the Cabinet which is obviously compromised of the President and the Presidents spokes person and the entire Government.
Sadly for them, the awards seem to be under the direct purview of the President, which means the Presidential spokes-person was highly like involved. This is the same Government that accused an actual sitting MDC Alliance MP Joanna Mamombe and MDC youth Members at the time, Cecilia Chambiri and Netsai Marova of Abducting, Raping and Torturing themselves with such degrading treatment such as sucking their boobies, drinking urine and eating faeces and sticking crude instruments into their genitals and rectums.
Whilst the regime keeps mute, they are actually endorsing paedophilia. Sadly the usual ZANU PF commentators such as Dr Masimba Mavaza and ZANU PF U.K. seem to be supporting their leaders in Harare.
Also sadly, the Home Secretary and the U.K. Embassy in Zimbabwe also seem to be muted.
What does seem to be happening though is the likes of Madam Boss, refusing to protest against child abuse and the whole of the ZANU PF machinery completely perplexed and crippled and at odds with its self on how to condemn paedophilia and child abuse within its own ranks, yet trying to paint everyone else with the same brush.
ZHRO says everyone in Zimbabwe should have their full human rights respected, regardless how low in society the likes of Passion Java and Madam Boss perceive them to be.
ZHRO would like to thank all those who attended the Wednesday Vigil Protest. The Chimurenga war was but fought for ZANU PF. It was fought for every Zimbabwean. The President and First Lady maybe need to be sent to school to learn what Human Rights are given their track record or lack thereof when it comes to Protecting the Rights of All Zimbabweans
The next Vigil Protest will be on Wednesday 18th August 2021 at 429 the Strand London, outside the Zimbabwean Embassy. All are welcome.
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It’s very simple.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office and their apparent communications to the Home Office do not have sufficient, nor up-to-date information to support a ‘broad-brush’ policy to deport or remove up to 100 Zimbabweans per month. A "deal" aparently made between the British Embassy in Harare, Zimbabwe and the ruling Zanu PF "Government".
Irrespective of flights with 50 or less Zimbabweans on board plus the attendant “Support Staff” [Guards] Zimbabwe has become a very dangerous place for anybody connected with any opposition party, any human rights activist, journalists etc. Even now the Zimbabwean Government is pressuring NGO’s not to speak out concerning anything [to do with the Zanu PF Government]
If the Foreign Office would spend time talking with the MDC-A Opposition Party – in particular Tendia Biti, [Vice President] a gifted and committed Zimbabwean Politician, who ably steered the Finances of Zimbabwe during the “Unity Government”.
We have contact details if needed!
UK Government’s Latest Position: Sanctions
1st February 2021: In respect of Human Rights Abuses in Zimbabwe as stated on the UK Government Website; New Sanctions imposed.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-announces-sanctions-against-zimbabwe-security-chiefs
Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab said:
"These sanctions send a clear message that we will hold to account those responsible for the most egregious human rights violations, including the deaths of innocent Zimbabweans."
"These sanctions target senior individuals in the Government, and not ordinary Zimbabweans. We will continue to press for the necessary political and economic reforms that will benefit all Zimbabweans."
These sanctions are in addition to our work to hold the Government of Zimbabwe to account in implementing genuine political and economic reforms that benefit all Zimbabweans.
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On December 2016 Nick Mangwana [ European Representative of Zanu PF and Chairman of Zanu PF UK], made a seemingly innocuous speech lasting just 2 minutes. The literal translation of that speech seems almost harmless - however in the context of a Zanu PF rally in Masvingo, these mealy-mouthed words have a far more sinister and deadly meaning. The word “Target” in Zimbabwe by Zanu PF would mean abduction, torture or even murder. This word “Target” was used in Mangwana’s speech. The word “Strike” was also used – as a recommendation of, at the minimum, Cyber Bullying in the UK/Online and much worse in Zimbabwe.
Now with breathtaking hypocrisy Nick Mangwana has filed a claim for Defamation, Libel and Harrasement/Distress against the author, as seen in the PDF click to see in pop-up here . In this the over-sensitive Mangwana is worried about his reputation! An avowed Zanu PF representative and Chairman of Zanu PF UK, someone who must surely condone all the actions against any type of opposition both in Zimbabwe and globally – violence, abductions, genocide, torture, rape, murder, looting, corruption and theft of national assets by party members and assorted apologists.
Well Enough is Enough, Zanu PF UK should not be in the UK with these attitudes, just like Nazi Sympathisers in the Second World War were not tolerated; Zanu PF UK has to go, their members can be deported back to Zimbabwe.
Todd Maforimbo's post read:
"If my Shona serves me correct, this man Nick Mangwana is proposing and clearly advocating for 3 things:
- 1)Violence towards anyone that's opposed to ZANU especially those in the diaspora.
- 2)Violent opposition to activists whom he labels as foreigners or diasporas.
- 3)The total refusal and denial of diaspora votes especially for those who are unable to travel to Zimbabwe despite Mugabe clearly expelling them from the country.
Where to now Zimbabweans in the diaspora? He even wants ZANU PF to have a diaspora constituency to raise money for their activities of terror towards the Zimbabwean people.
Can we stand back and watch? Surely there is reason to address these barbaric actions by those who have also fled Zimbabwe for greener pastures such as Mangwana.
You have to then ask yourself, why does he utter such words? He obviously is happy with the oppressive regime [Zanu PF - guilty of presiding over and condoning, abductions, torture, murder, rape and of course mass voter fraud and plundering of every available resource in Zimbabwe for the benefit of party members and ministers - including Mugabe] and wants to extend the oppression to those who have fled with their lives.
We are onto you Mr Mangwana, not all of us are yes men. We will fight for our rights out here, this is not Zimbabwe and we won't just roll over and die.
Mangwana’s Speech Transcript in English:
“Forward with ZANU PF, with Mr Mugabe, Mrs Mugabe, unity, down with stubbornness. Down with corruption. I’m called Nick Mangwana from Britain. Eh Chef, ours is…..”
“We have a party structure in Britain, we have another in South Africa correct? We have another in America, but this one is from Britain.”
“Excuse me, thank you. We who represent the party in Europe, we say that diaspora sends a lot of money home. A lot of families stand/survive because of the children who are outside the country. They are receiving help. As the diaspora does that, they don't only do good. Within the diaspora there are scoundrels/fugitives that you know, some who come here and do what they do. People like MAWARIRE were in the diaspora; people like what is his name, the one for the vendors; STEN ZVORWADZA, is one of us from Britain: a diasporan.
Now, for it to work; to deal with this stubbornness, we also need our own party people to target and strike/beat on the airwaves these people. You strike as and target these ones, these people. We need them to strike on Twitter, on Facebook, on WHEREVER and others to mobilise resources. Instead of giving your mother, your child, your sibling and your nephew or niece; your resources must also come to the party. But for it to work, the diaspora needs to be structured. Properly. Because in the diaspora we are told that there are 4 million people. No no, don’t allow/permit them to vote yet. Let them wait. Those of us who want to and can vote will come. But one thing in our party, ZANU PF is the only party without a province outside the country. This is our request that if we are permitted to be a province, we are structured and represent the party. But our role is not to vote, our role is to influence the votes within the country and to mobilise the resources thank you.
