Zimbabwe Vigil Diary 20 March 2010

Vigil supporters were cautiously optimistic about the outcome of President Zuma’s visit to Harare. There was much discussion at the Vigil of the possible implications. We were pleased that we had been able to put our case to President Zuma during his visit to London. 

It has been clear to us for some time that our Dear 86-year-old Leader is not exactly well-informed and we welcome Mr Zuma’s reportedly more robust approach in dealing with a situation teetering on the brink. 

We noted in particular Mr Zuma’s meetings with Defence Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa and National Security Minister Sydney Sekeramayi. What were they talking about? The Vigil assumes he explained things to them in terms they will misunderstand at their peril. 

Now that the castrated Gono has been auctioned off by the Reserve Bank’s creditors, Vigil supporters were pleased that Attorney-General Tomano is apparently being given a free transfer and that the talks on implementing the GPA have been set a clear deadline (with the implication that South African heavies will be stationed at Harare Airport to stop the negotiators sloping off for their usual shopping trips abroad). 

The Vigil will discuss with our friends in Brussels how to welcome the Zimbabwean delegation which is going to be sent to discuss sanctions. Of course, everyone knows the EU will not suspend them until there is real evidence of change in Zimbabwe but apparently everyone must go through the motions. For our part we can show the delegation some of the delights of Brussels while they waste their time. The food really is good there. 

Vigil supporters, after a particularly tough winter in the UK, really want to go home and want elections as soon as possible, providing peace-keeping forces are in place to prevent intimidation and violence. We also want observers to prevent another stolen election. Surely these are not impossible demands. We don’t see that postponing elections will achieve anything. 

Some other points:

• Thanks to Sister Beverley Mutandiro who came and led prayers for the Vigil.
• Vigil supporters were encouraged to see that a big MDC Youth demo took place in Harare on Friday 19^th March without harassment from the authorities.  It was good to have Susan Chechita with us again.  She comes about twice a month from Liverpool and catches the coach at 6.30 in the morning to be with us on time. She had difficulties this time because she misunderstood the time available for a cup of tea at a scheduled stop and the coach went off without her! 

For latest Vigil pictures check: http://www.flickr.com/photos/zimbabwevigil/. For the latest ZimVigil TV programme provided by ZBN News, check the link at the top of the home page of our website.  For earlier ZimVigil TV programmes check:  http://www.zbnnews.com/home/firingline. 

FOR THE RECORD: 165 signed the register. 

EVENTS AND NOTICES:

• ROHR Thurrock & Basildon launch meeting, Saturday 27^th March from 1.30- 6 pm. Venue: Grays Parish Hall, West Street, Grays RM17 6LL. Contact: Tobokwa Malikongwa 07533660621, Billy Machekano 07765459538,  Paradzai Mapfumo 07932216070 / 07915926323
• ROHR Liverpool Demonstration. Saturday 3^rd April from 2 -5 pm. Venue: Church Street (Outside Primark) Liverpool City Centre. Contact: Desire Chimuka 07917733711, Anywhere Mungoyo 07939913688, Trywell Migeri 07956083758. Future demonstrations all on Saturdays: 17^th April, 8^th and 22^nd May. Same venue and time. 
• Southwark Cathedral’s hymn singing in solidarity with worshippers in Harare. Sunday 4^th April (Easter Day). Time tba. Venue: outside the Zimbabwe Embassy.  They are singing in solidarity with worshippers who are going to be locked out of the Anglican Cathedral in Harare on Easter Day. 
• Swaziland Vigil. Saturdays from 10 am- 1 pm. Venue: Swazi High Commission, 20 Buckingham Gate, London SW1E 6LB.  Please support our Swazi friends. Nearest stations: St James Park and Victoria. For more information check: www.swazilandvigil.co.uk.
• Zimbabwe Association Women’s Weekly Drop-in Centre. Fridays 10.30 am -4 pm. Venue: The Fire Station Community and ICT Centre, 84 Mayton Street, London N7 6QT, Tel: 020 7607 9764. Nearest underground: Finsbury Park. For more information contact the Zimbabwe Association 020 7549 0355 (open Tuesdays and Thursdays).
• Strategic Internship for Zimbabweans organised by Citizens for Sanctuary which is trying to secure work placements for qualified Zimbabweans with refugee status or asylum seekers. For information: http://www.citizensforsanctuary.org.uk/pages/Strategic.html or contact: [email protected].
• For Motherland ENT’s videos of the Vigil on 30/01/2010: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeI4veVo0H0 and the Vigil on 26/12/2009: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdPsBsief0s and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nX6sv2T9gwk&feature=related. 

Vigil Co-ordinators

The Vigil, outside the Zimbabwe Embassy, 429 Strand, London, takes place every Saturday from 14.00 to 18.00 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 electikikons are held in Zimbabwe: http://www.zimvigil.co.uk.

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