ZHRO Wednesday Vigil 4 March 2020
The State Persecution and Abuse Continues
Zimbabwe Human Rights Organisation (ZHRO) members met on
the 4th of March 2020 for a pre-planned Vigil, peaceful demonstration, to protest against amongst other things the continued persecution of Zimbabweans by the Zimbabwe African National Union Patriotic Front (ZANU PF) captured State apparatus and proxies of ZANU PF. ZHRO met on this day outside the Zimbabwe Embassy, at 429, The Strand, London.
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| ZHRO Vigil Wed 4 March 2020 by John Burke |
Those gathered were still remembering events that had happened on the 19th of February 2020 outside the Embassy and were linking those events to the continued persecution of fellow Zimbabweans.
Freedom of Expression, Freedom from Persecution and Economic and Women's rights were once again high on the agenda for this week.
Saturday 29th February 2020
Police Besieged Silkhala's house.
(Job Wiwa Sikhala is Member of Zimbabwe Parliament (MP) for Zengeza West constituency, Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) political party, Vice Chairman)
(Job Wiwa Sikhala is Member of Zimbabwe Parliament (MP) for Zengeza West constituency, Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) political party, Vice Chairman)
This week, the persecution by the evil ZANU PF junta started on Saturday 29th February 2020. On this day it was reported that dump police had Besieged Job Wiwa Silkhalas house. The report was published @ 0615hrs.
It was then reported that Gunshots were heard in Chitungwiza @ 1122hrs.
As reliably reported in the tweet Zimbabwe Republic Police, (ZRP) (also known as ZANU republic Police) arrested 13 MDC members who were "gathered at the house of MDC Deputy National Chairperson Job Sikhala in St Mary's."
Those arrested are:
MDC Youth Assembly National Spokesperson Stephen Chuma, Nyasha Mutsindikwa, Elton Marimbe,Dambudzo Mhike, Tendayi
Timuri, Jabulani Chatindiara, Christopher Muretu, Terrence Manjengwa, John Molebaleng, Brian Mushakwe, Tanyaradzwa Zawaira, Taurai Nyamanhindi
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| 12 Arrested Photo from Dpt Spokes MDC YA Twitter Acc |
It is alleged that, eyewitnesses said the youths are alleged to have been guarding Sikhala's house in anticipation of ZANU PF youths who threatened to invade the house on Saturday.
Reports say after the arrests, MDC members are said to have taken to the streets to protest causing police to beat citizens indiscriminately in Zengeza and doing door to door patrols. Teargas and gunshots were fired by dump police in Chigovanyika and Huruyadzo areas.
Further, unfortunately, it seems evil ZANU PF sees just the thought and presence of the MDC and its supporters as a threat. Their bully boy tactics are typically authentic to ZANU PF and its proxies. Well known for doing anything to stay in power. Following the damning reports by UN special Rapporteurs one really wonders why the ZANU PF and its proxies do not change.
Sunday 1 March 2020
Patients are being turned away from clinics
On Sunday 1 March 2020 Patients were being turned away from Bulawayo clinics that mainly serve people who cannot afford private doctors and hospitals seems to have gone up so much, it is putting the lives of thousands of people at risk. It has been said that the people are being turned away due to financial constraints.
On Sunday 1 March 2020 Patients were being turned away from Bulawayo clinics that mainly serve people who cannot afford private doctors and hospitals seems to have gone up so much, it is putting the lives of thousands of people at risk. It has been said that the people are being turned away due to financial constraints.
This thus means the Government Junta Regime is highly likely breaking its ICESCR and sometimes also its CEDAW signed and ratified UN Covenents.
Open letter to DR Bettina Metz
Later on in the day, an open letter was written to Dr Bettins Metz. Part of it said, domestic violence on women and girl-children in Zimbabwe and is going from bad to worse every day: It is becoming unbearable. I am sure it is high time we ask for assistance from you in the UN to assist us in our absolute desperation. We need your assistance in Zimbabwe immediately.
Orgy of Police Violence again
Further reports arrived of the weekends events. The reports said the police went on an orgy of violence in St. Mary's, breaking doors and barging into private homes in search of anyone suspected to be MDC. No reason was given for the siege and the state-sanctioned violence.
The MDC said they regard the siege in St. Mary's and the incessant harassment of party leaders as needless persecution. The regime is treating the MDC as a terrorist organisation when it is a legitimate political party represented in parliament and running the majority of local government councils."
Monday 2nd March 2020
Concerned Citizens Forum is allegedly aligned to ZANU PF
On Monday 2nd March 2020 reports said youths from a pressure group called, "Concerned Citizens Forum which is aligned to Zanu-PF," had shelved their earlier plans to eat Chamisa, Biti and Sikhalas cattle and goats by occupying their homes.
Bring down high fees
On the same day, the Junta were urged to bring down high fees as they exposed poor female students to sexual predators who take advantage while other students had either dropped out or had deferred their studies. Students from several different universities and polytechnic colleges across the country including teaching trade unions and representatives while giving oral evidence before Parliament's portfolio committee on Higher Education, Science and Technology Development, Innovation and Tertiary Education.
Hwendes Case a Miscarriage of Justice
Later on, the MDC exclaimed that, Hwendes Case a Miscarriage of Justice. The said they were upset by the remanding of the court case of Honourable MDC MP Charlton Hwende until the 18th of March 2020. They have called the postponement a miscarriage of justice as it is alleged that the Subversion and Freedom of Expression case has been ongoing for close to 1 whole year.
Herald reports youth burnt tyres
On Teusday 3 March 2020, the Zimbabwe, State owned Herald vehemently reported that MDC Youth had Barricaded roads and burnt tyres in Chitungwiza as Courts remanded others until 12 March 2020. Oddly reports are that police did not see who put the tyres etc in the road. Harare provincial magistrate Mrs Vongai Muchuchuti-Guwuriro remanded the 12 in custody until 12 March 2020.
This thus leaves one asking, is the Judiciary actually independent, as the youths were arrested whilst at a house. Why Honourable Sikhala and the MDC youths were harassed and arrested is still a mystery. The Zimbabwe State apparatus is known for torturing people in custody, especially those who are known for being against ZANU PF, or being for the respect of Human Rights
Court dismissed Hwendes Freedom Bid
Later that day, the court dismissed Hwendes Freedom Bid. Jurist Mugwagwa said there was no inordinate delay in providing the accused with a trial date saying the State must be given the chance to complete investigations.
The magistrate then remanded the matter to March 18 for routine remand. It is alleged that during the period extending from December 28 to 31, 2018, allegedly, Hwende posted on his Twitter handle messages that had the potential of inciting people to revolt against the Government, both in his personal capacity and as an MDC-Alliance Member of Parliament for Kuwadzana East constituency.
Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) Impounds life saving Equipment
Reports also surfaced that the International Society of Nephrology (ISN) donated the equipment, which was supposed to be used to interpret kidney biopsies, as well as perform peritoneal dialysis for kidney patients. Following a flood of complaints on social media the greedy money gobbling authority returned the donated life saving equipment.
Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) to monitor social media
Addressing army officers who had completed a 25-week training course in Gweru last Friday, Chimonyo said social media poses a dangerous threat to national security, hence there was a need for the military to intercept private communications between private citizens to guard against subversion.
Hungry Women nabbed for stealing Maize meal
Two Bindura women were convicted today by a Bindura magistrate Ethel Chichera after stealing 26 maize cobs. The duo Philis Munyanda (34) and Irene Kanodza both from Pimento park farm, Bindura pleaded guilty to the charge and were lucky to escape jail after the magistrate wholly suspended the 15 day custodial sentence.
Wednesday 4 March 2020
Maemgahama Madzokere in fresh freedom bid
THE Supreme Court on Tuesday reserved judgment on an appeal filed by two political prisoners, who are seeking their release from prison, where they are detained since 2016 after they were convicted and sentenced to serve 20 years for allegedly murdering a Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officer.
Mahere sparks Itai Dzamara Debate
MDC executive member Fadzai Mahere has sparked a debate on micro blogging Twitter after directing her "bring back Itai Dzamara" tweet to president Emmerson Mnangagwa.
"Bring back Itai Dzamara @edmnangagwa," reads Mahere's tweet.
Female Lawmakers sit on Parliaments Floor.
Female Legislators sat on the floor of parliament, in a
demonstration against Gender Based Violence (GBV) Reports Women legislators on Tuesday held a peaceful demonstration in Parliament urging the government to move with speed in advancing women’s rights provided for in the international treaties and protocols Zimbabwe is a signatory to.
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| Zim Female MP's Sit on floor. Protest against GBV. Zimeye photo |
Thursday 5 March 2020
Domestic workers pay set at $500
The Deputy Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Lovemore Matuke announced the increase last week in the Senate. The Deputy Minister said Government pegged the domestic wage for domestic workers at $168 last year but the amount was only gazetted last month due to some delays.
ZANU PF after Sikhala again
Sikhala said, "It’s absolutely nonsense to say that there was a demonstration in St Mary’s. What happened is that the police raided my house at 5 am. There was not much that took place. It’s nonsense!" In a statement on Saturday, national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said suspected MDC youths were arrested after going on a rampage at Chigovanyika in St Mary’s, Huruyadzo shops and Zengeza 2 shops in Chitungwiza on Saturday morning.
Towards the end of the vigil, ZHRO was addressed by Patricia Chinyoka who is the MDC, Provicial Spokesperson, Secretary for Communications UK & Ireland. In her well polished unscripted and passionate speech, she lamented the treatment active MDC members and MP's are receiving at the hands of the Regime in Zimbabwe. She brought up a number of the issues mentioned above and urged the ZHRO Wednesday Vigil to continue highlighting the derth of Human Rights in Zimbabwe.
Vice Chairman of ZHRO, Alfredy Mukuvare also spoke and thanked MDC's UK Provincial Spokesperson Patricia Chinyoka and other MDC members for acknowledging the work done by ZHRO to highlight the plight of all Zimbabweans. He then went to great lengths to stress that, ZHRO is Independent and is not affiliated to, or a part of any political party, and will continue to fight for the Human Rights of all Zimbabweans. The Vigil ended with, teas, coffees and deep fried scones.
Vice Chairman of ZHRO, Alfredy Mukuvare also spoke and thanked MDC's UK Provincial Spokesperson Patricia Chinyoka and other MDC members for acknowledging the work done by ZHRO to highlight the plight of all Zimbabweans. He then went to great lengths to stress that, ZHRO is Independent and is not affiliated to, or a part of any political party, and will continue to fight for the Human Rights of all Zimbabweans. The Vigil ended with, teas, coffees and deep fried scones.
A huge thank you to Benjamin Chigamba, John Burke, Ebson Chigwedere, Alfredy Mukuvare and Tapiwa Muskwe who arrived early to help to set up. Many thanks to Ebson Chigwedere who played the drums. Thank you to Mary Muteyerwa, Chegika Lifa Phiri, Tryness Ncube and Junior Madzimure who led the singing for this defining Vigil. A huge thank you to Nehemiah Musonza, Salom Nkiwane and Barbra Ncube for helping to pack up. A huge thank you too, 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 as per the register were, John Burke, Tapiwa Muskwe, Blessing Goronga, Ebson Chigwedere, Tinashe Aliseni, Junior Madzimure, Mary Muteyerwa, Benjamin Chigamba, Alfredy Mukuvare, Salom Nkiwane, Barbra Ncube, Chegika Lifa Phiri, Nehemiah Musonza, Mary Ndoro, Plaxidia Mugonde, Tryness Ncube, Reuben G Waretsa, Patricia Chinyoka (MDC). Thabo Makuyana attended the vigil but did not sign the register.
For the Latest Vigil Pictures check:
Events and Notices
Next ZHRO London Vigil will be on Wednesday 11th March 2020 starting 11am at 429 the Strand, London WC2R 0JR.
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