The Missing link – Zimbabwe Vigil Diary

A well-attended meeting of the Zimbabwe Action Forum (ZAF) held after the Vigil appointed an interim committee to further the diaspora initiative offering an alternative political programme alongside the progressive forces in Zimbabwe.

The 10-member committee will build on the resolutions of the Vigil’s all-stakeholders’ conference last October (see Vigil diary of 12th April: http://www.zimvigil.co.uk/the-vigil-diary/579-vigil-welcomes-new-path-zimbabwe-vigil-diary-12th-april-2014).

The committee’s aim is to reach out to the diaspora with a view to agreeing a common voice and mobilize for action, liaise with progressive forces in Zimbabwe and take the change agenda forward. The committee was also mandated to organise an all-inclusive, elective diaspora convention.

ZAF Chair, Ephraim Tapa, said the diaspora had been excluded from the political debate in Zimbabwe but internal processes there had failed to dislodge Mugabe. The ZAF noted that the MDC, as it stands today, had run its course and the diaspora must help create a vehicle to fill the political vacuum and bring an end to the crisis. ‘We are the missing link’, Ephraim said.

Members of the committee are: Arnold Magwanyata, Benjamin Semwayo, Ephraim Tapa, Fungayi Mabhunu, Michelle Dube, Patricia Masamba, Rose Benton, Walter Nhliziyo, Walter Shoko and Wilbert Mukori.

The ZAF meeting went on to discuss sending a delegation to the Home Secretary, Theresa May, to discuss the treatment of Zimbabweans seeking asylum. The following were appointed to the delegation: Ephraim Tapa, Fungayi Mabhunu, Peter Sidindi, Rose Benton and Walter Nhliziyo. We are sending a letter to Theresa May asking for an appointment.

An insight into daily life in rural Zimbabwe (which some people sent back may encounter) came in a message from a pastor whose work in the Bulawayo area is supported by some Vigil people.

“Although we do relief work at Mazwi, it is never enough. There is always hunger there. So women and families have to walk a long way through the bush to the municipal dump site to scavenge for food (18 km). Some of these women have been raped as they walk home and their gleanings have been taken away. I have reported this to the police. They have told us that two robbers escaped from Khame Prison and have been reported being seen in this area.

“They say they are investigating all the cases. Last week three women all carrying babies on their back, and fat they had gathered from the dump site, came across a man wielding a long knife. They ran away but one woman was caught and raped. When she came back home, one of the women who had been with her started to laugh at her, accusing her, saying that she should have run as fast as the others.

“She said that since she was a widow she was probably looking for a man and that’s why she got what she got. This did not go well with the raped woman and she called on the elders; I was also called in to attend to the case. I ministered to her.’

Other points

· The Vigil welcomes Morgan Tsvangirai’s call for action to pressurise Mugabe to address the economic challenges. Why has the MDC waited so long?

We are disappointed that politicians are spending their time discussing the 2018 elections. The country can’t wait that long. Time for action is now (see: http://www.zimvigil.co.uk/the-vigil-diary/526-challenge-mugabe-to-deliver–zimbabwe-vigil-diary-31st-august-2013 – Challenge Mugabe to deliver – Zimbabwe Vigil Diary: 31st August 2013).

· A group of Nigerians came to see us at the Vigil on their way from a protest outside the Nigerian High Commission against government inaction over the abduction of more than 200 schoolgirls by Islamic terrorists in Northern Nigeria.
· We were surprised to see horses charging down the Strand and back again pulling sulkies (light carriages).
· Thanks to Bridget Zhakata and Fungayi Mabhunu who were there at the start to help set up. Supporters came from far afield – Nicodimus Muganhu caught the bus from Manchester at 4 am and Walter Nhliziyo came from Scotland.

For latest Vigil pictures check: http://www.flickr.com/photos/zimbabwevigil/. Please note: Vigil photos can only be downloaded from our Flickr website.

FOR THE RECORD: 48 signed the register.