Zimbabwe Vigil Diary May 4, 2024

May 7, 2024 Vaseline stjohnson 0

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Amidst all the hype from Zimbabwe’s Finance Minister Mtuli Ncube about Zimbabwe’s so-called “highest regional economic growth”, the millions of unemployed who continue to suffer in abject poverty can feel nothing but deprivation.

The standard of living for many continues to plummet, with the introduction of the new currency and the confusion that accompanies it. It is no surprise that schools, government institutions, and most of the private sector continue to require payments in US dollars.

The other day, Army General Vice President Chiwenga ordered the arrest of all money changers in the cities, apparently for manipulating the new currency. What Chiwenga needs to know is that it is the level of trust invested by the public transacting in a currency that makes it or kills it and does not direct monetary policies.

Meanwhile, the Chinese continue to wreak havoc in the countryside, extracting every valuable mineral they can find, damaging the environment with wanton recklessness, facilitating the passage of their loot out of the country through corruption, and treating Zimbabweans like modern-day slaves.

However, there have been worrying moves from the Western world, moving towards prioritizing trade seemingly at the expense of human rights and democracy. It would seem that there is now a fight for Zimbabwe’s resources.

Just three days ago, the British ambassador to Zimbabwe stated that the UK was “interested in the full normalization of relations with Zimbabwe” and that the UK banking sector was being encouraged to get involved to “boost trade” and reduce any barrier. . And the EU had a strong presence at the just-concluded Zimbabwe International Trade Fair 2024, with more member states participating and more projects on display. The trade volume between the EU and Zimbabwe is now reported to be approaching US$1 billion.

The Zimbabwe Vigil is aware of the need for Zimbabwe’s economic revival, but believes that most people will not feel any progress made if corruption is allowed to reign unchecked; whether state-sponsored human rights violations against alleged opponents of the military-backed ZANUPF regime continue unabated; if the democratic space continues to shrink.

For this reason, the Western world is reminded to remain true to its values: democracy, rule of law, freedom of thought, assembly and equal opportunities for all citizens.

At a ROHR meeting held on the same day, it was resolved that the 2024 sponsored 15 mile walk would be on 20 July and that the next ROHR general meeting would be on 1 June.

Thank you to those who came early today to help with the preparation: Dickson Chikwizo, Simbarashe Jingo, Chido Makawa, Patricia Masamba, Kerina Paduze and Ephraim Tapa. They were joined by Blessing Harry, Jonathan Kariwo, Charity Mahuni and Philip Matenga. At a meeting of our sister organization Human Rights Restoration in Zimbabwe it was decided to make a new Vigil banner. Special thanks to those who contributed a new Vigil banner: Dickson, Blessing, Simbarashe, Jonathan, Chido, Philip and Ephraim. For photographs see: https://www.flickr.com/photos/zimbabwevigil/albums/72177720316726133/.

To see photographs from the Vigil, see: http://www.flickr.com/photos/zimbabwevigil/. Please note: Photos from the Vigil can only be downloaded from our Flickr website.

Events and Notices:

  • Next Vigil before the Zimbabwe Embassy. Saturday 18th May from 2 to 5 p.m. We meet on the first and third Saturday of each month. The virtual Vigil will be held on other Saturdays.

General assembly of ROHR members. saturday 1street June from 11am. Venue: Royal Festival Hall. Contact: Efraín Tapa 07940793090, Chido Makawa 07413024807.

  • 2024 15 mile walk sponsored by ROHR. saturday 20th June. More information as plans develop.
  • The Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe (ROHR) is Vigil’s partner organization based in Zimbabwe. ROHR arose from the need for the Vigil to have an organization on the ground in Zimbabwe that reflected the Vigil’s mission statement in a practical way. ROHR in the UK actively raises funds through member subscriptions, events, sales etc. to support ROHR activities in Zimbabwe.
  • Vigil’s book ‘Zimbabwe Emergency’ It is based on our weekly diaries. It records how events have unfolded in Zimbabwe from the perspective of the diaspora in the UK. It chronicles economic disintegration, violence, growing oppression and political maneuvering, and the tragic human cost involved. It is available in the Vigil. All proceeds go towards the Vigil and the work of our sister organization Zimbabwe Human Rights Restoration in Zimbabwe. The book is also available on 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

The Vigil, outside the Zimbabwean Embassy, ​​429 Strand, London, meets regularly on Saturdays from 2pm to 5pm to protest against serious human rights violations in Zimbabwe. The Vigil that began in October 2002 will continue until free and fair, internationally supervised elections are held in Zimbabwe.

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