The following is a press statement issued by the Zimbabwe Vigil in London
PRESS STATEMENT – Zimbabwean exiles in the UK are to stage another demonstration on Friday outside a clinic in Nottingham run by a doctor who is attempting to seize a farm in Zimbabwe.
Dr Sylvester Nyatsuro, a British citizen, claims that the Mugabe regime has told him he can have the farm although he has been resident in England for more than 10 years.
He and his wife Veronica, who is related to Grace Mugabe, are trying to kick out the owner Philip Rankin, who bought the farm with the approval of the Mugabe authorities.
Rankin has been besieged in his home by hired thugs unable to care for his tobacco crop worth up to £240,000.
The demonstration is organized by the Zimbabwe Vigil, which has been protesting outside the Zimbabwe Embassy in London every Saturday since October 2002 in support of human rights in Zimbabwe.
Vigil Co-ordinator Fungayi Mabhunu said: ‘All we require from the Nyatsuros to stop our protests outside their clinic is that they drop their greedy and hypocritical claim on a farm in Zimbabwe with which they have no connection. They are obviously prospering here so what need do they have to take over someone’s home and livelihood in Zimbabwe?’
The Nyatsuros have made legal threats to try to stop press coverage of their outrageous behaviour. The Daily Telegraph here in the UK dropped a report it had carried in their print edition from their website.
The Times was braver: it still carries its report on the Times website but with the disclaimer: ‘This article is the subject of a legal complaint from Mrs Veronica Nyatsuro’.
Date and time: Friday 13th November from 12 noon – 3 pm.
Venue: The Willows Medical Centre, Church Street, Carlton, Nottingham NG4 1BJ.
For directions, check: http://www.nhs.uk/Services/GP/MapsAndDirections/DefaultView.aspx?id=38275
Contact: Chamunorwa Chisuko 07832920609, Enniah Dube 07403439707, Fungayi Mabhunu 07907089899.
Zimbabwe 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 elections are held in Zimbabwe. http:/www.zimvigil.co.uk.