Sunday 1 March 2020

ZHRO Vigil 26 February 2020


Tracked and traced,
"Defiant, not cowed." 😠

On Wednesday the 26th of February 2020, Zimbabwe Human
ZHRO Vigil, 26 Feb 2020, Photo by John Burke
Rights Organisation (ZHRO) members met to protest outside the Embassy of Zimbabwe, at 429 The Strand, London.  They were there for the weekly, planned, peaceful Vigil demonstration.

These were the defiant ones, who refused to be cowed by events that happened towards the end of the previous Vigil, on the 19th of February 2020.  Freedom of Expression, freedom from Persecution and Economic and Women's rights were high on the agenda for this week.
Some of the small talk included the State sponsored persecution of MDC members of Parliament, MDC leaders, MDC members, Teachers Unions and other active Civic Organisations that advocate for the return of human Rights in Zimbabwe, by the ruling ZANU PF and their proxies.

The week started on Monday the 24th of February, with the sad news that, yet another Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), this time the Women's gathering had been banned, by the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) who are known ZANU PF proxies.  The lack of rights for the women concerned, had extra salt added to their wounds when there was an attempt to Fast Track the reburial of the victims of the Gukurahundi atrocities committed by ZANU PF in the early 1980's.
  
As written in Bulawayo 24 on the 24th of February 2020,  Mnangagwa in particular must take a step back from any process aimed at resolving Gukurahundi because he was one of the chief architects of the killings.  At the time, whilst serving as State Security Minister, he flatly denied that there were any such killings. Video evidence is available to support the claims. Many people in the affected area of Matabeleland are now asking, what has changed?




On Tuesday the 25th of February 2020, there were credible reports that, machete wielding thugs, (Mashurugwi) had run riot in Zhombe.  The allegations are that the alleged paramilitary group detonated explosives to scare teachers and students away from two schools.
  
On the same day another gang of Mashurugwi are alleged to have robbed a businessman's house in Macingwane and shops in Mangwe.  Unfortunately the gangs seem to be under the command and protection of Senior ZANU PF members. In particular the Security Minister Owen Ncube has been singled out by a number of Law makers who were speaking in parliament in Zimbabwe.



On the same day, ZAPU released the following statement over Gukurahundi and Mnangagwa's involvement.
"Let each and every man who participated in the genocide be held accountable as an individual. That alone will teach people never to be used by any regime in committing genocide on behalf of the state.".
This shows that the chance of Emerson Mnangagwa being trusted by the people of Bulawayo and Matabeleland is slim to none.


On Thursday 27th of February 2020, it was reported that War Veterans, some of whom are said to be living on less than £0.50 (Half of One Great British Pound Sterling (Fifty pence only)) per day stormed the offices of finance minister Mthuli Ncube.

"A group of ex-civil servants most of whom are war veterans on Wednesday stormed New Government Complex seeking Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube's audience to discuss their welfare upon realising their former employer was in contravention of their contracts."

  There was also a warning from the IMF of a deep humanitarian crisis.  The IMF usually does not get involved in Humanitarian or Socio Economic issues, so this is serious, very serious indeed.



On Friday the 28th of February 2020, reports were made that, Machete gangs in Chuwundura area, were forcing female students into relationships, which is an escalation and could be a case of Girls being forced into sex, which is not consensual, as such is likely Rape.

The USA has piled pressure on Mnangagwa to compensate the people who were shot on 1 August 2018.  This is something the ZANU PF regime seems reluctant to do as this could make other victims of abduction, torture and killing deserve compensation.  It could likely also mean those who committed the crimes will be punished and not listen to commands to, abduct, torture, rape, or kill next time.



Given the above and the ZHRO members having been harassed, tracked and traced by ZANU PF and its proxies, the simple fact that they know they have the superior Moral High Ground, has made ZHRO members, both men and women refuse to be cowed by the Junta Regime in Zimbabwe. 

The return in full of Human Rights, the respect of Law, in principle and in practice along side that of Human rights and the promulgation of Human Rights, in the cultural, Political and Economic context is the dream all ZHRO members.

A huge thank you to Benjamin Chigamba  John Burke and  Ebson Chigwedere who arrived early to help to set up.  Many thanks to Ebson Chigwedere who played the drums.  Thank you to Mary Muteyerwa who led the singing for this defining Vigil.  A huge thank you to John Burke who drove all the way from the South of England with the drums, tent and banners that also helped to make the atmosphere during the peaceful vigil protest and on that day, kept us all dry.  A huge thank you also goes to all who attended as without you, the vigil would not be the same.

To find out more or to join ZHRO please do not hesitate to call
Phillip Mahlahla           074 5282 8229
Ebson Chigwedere       074 4923 5660
Kingstone Jambawo     079 0486 1774
Thabo Makuyana         079 4459 0970

Those who attended were, Alfredy Mukuvare, Ebson Chigwedere, Mary Muteerwa, Lindsey Zaranyika, Nehemiah Musonza, John Burke, Benjamin Chigamba, Orivasi Madondo. 

For the Latest Vigil Pictures check:

Events and Notices
Next ZHRO London Vigil will be on Wednesday 4th March 2020 starting 11am at 429 the Strand, London WC2R 0JR.




Wednesday Vigil Blog:-
https://zhro.zimvigil.org/
Source Benjamin Chigamba (ZHRO Member)
Edited by ZHRO Marketing

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