By Gift Mawire
LONDON – A record number of people gathered in front of the Zimbabwe Embassy on Saturday to call for the release of abducted activist Itai Dzamara.
Loudly, but peacefully, they sang and danced in front of building 429 The Strand near Trafalgar Square under the theme “I AM ITAI DZAMARA”.
The visibly angry placard bearing protesters claim Itai’s abduction by state security agents will create an atmosphere of fear and violates freedom of speech and association.
Ephraim Tapa, President of Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe (ROHR) told the gathering that many people had disappeared after being abducted and tortured or from so-called accidents.
‘Enough is enough’ he said. ‘We must move the struggle to another level. The Zanu PF regime must be dismantled. People must demonstrate outside Zimbabwe’s embassies abroad and use social media to encourage people at home to join the protest.’
Mugabe critic and activist Martin Chinyanga shouted out, “If they used acid on him, they can do it on me too.”
Charles Ndlovu of the ROHR Reading branch said the call is now for each of us to ask ourselves if we are doing all we can to help build the country of our dreams whereby we will have a government of the people’s choice, a fair judiciary system have trust to the police force human rights to be respected and freedom of speech for a better Zimbabwe.
Dzamara was abducted by suspected State security agents on Monday last week and has been missing since then.
Through his Occupy Africa Unity Square movement he had been holding peaceful demonstrations demanding that President Robert Mugabe leaves office for failing to address the concerns of the people of Zimbabwe.
