Zimbabwe Vigil Diary 4th May 2024

Amid all the hype by Zimbabwe’s Finance minister, Mtuli Ncube, about Zimbabwe’s so-called ‘strongest economic growth within the region’, nothing but deprivation can be felt by the jobless millions who continue to suffer in abject poverty.

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

The other day, the Army General, Vice President Chiwenga, ordered the arrest of all money changers in towns ostensibly for rigging the new currency. What Chiwenga needs to know is that it is the level of trust invested by the transacting public into a currency that either sustains or kills it and does not command monetary policies.

In the meantime, the Chinese continue to wreak havoc in the countryside, extracting whatever minerals of value they come across, 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.

There have been what worrying movements, though, from the Western world, as they move towards prioritising trade apparently at the expense of human rights and democracy. It would appear that there’s now a scramble for Zimbabwe’s resources.

Only 3 days ago, the British ambassador to Zimbabwe stated that the UK was ‘keen on full normalisation of relations with Zimbabwe’ and that encouragement was being given to the UK banking sector to get involved so as to ‘propel trade’ and reduce any barriers. And the EU had a strong presence at the just ended Zimbabwe International Trade Fair 2024, with more member states participating and more projects on show. It is reported that the EU / Zimbabwe trade volume is now approaching US$1 billion.

The Zimbabwe Vigil is alive to the need for Zimbabwe’s economic revival but believes that any progress made will not be felt by the majority of people if corruption is allowed to reign unchecked; if state sponsored human rights violations against perceived opponents to the military backed ZANUPF regime continue unabated; if the democratic space continue to shrink.

For this reason, the Western world is reminded to remain true to their values – democracy, rule of law, freedom of thought, assembly, and equal opportunities to all citizenry.

At a ROHR meeting held earlier in the 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.

Thanks to those who came early today to help set up: 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 Maponga,. At a meeting of our sister organisation the Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe it was decided to make a new Vigil banner. A special thank you to those who contributed a new Vigil banner: Dickson, Blessing, Simbarashe, Jonathan, Chido, Philip and Ephraim. For photos, see: 

For Vigil pictures check:  Please note: Vigil photos can only be downloaded from our Flickr website.

Events and Notices:

• Next Vigil meeting outside the Zimbabwe Embassy. Saturday 18^th May from 2 – 5 pm. We meet on the first and third Saturdays of every month. On other Saturdays the virtual Vigil will run.

ROHR general members’ meeting. Saturday 1^st June from 11 am. Venue: Royal Festival Hall. Contact: Ephraim Tapa 07940793090, Chido Makawa 07413024807.

• 2024 ROHR sponsored 15 mile walk. Saturday 20^th June. More information as plans develop.
• The Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe (ROHR) is the Vigil’s partner organisation based in Zimbabwe. ROHR grew out of the need for the Vigil to have an organisation on the ground in Zimbabwe which reflected the Vigil’s mission statement in a practical way. ROHR in the UK actively fundraises through membership subscriptions, events, sales etc to support the activities of ROHR in Zimbabwe.
• The Vigil’s book ‘Zimbabwe Emergency’ is based on our weekly diaries. It records how events in Zimbabwe have unfolded as seen by the diaspora in the UK. It chronicles the economic disintegration, violence, growing oppression and political manoeuvring – and the tragic human cost involved. It is available at the Vigil. All proceeds go to the Vigil and our sister organisation the Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe’s work in Zimbabwe. The book is also available from Amazon.
• Facebook pages:  

Vigil : https ://www.facebook.com/zimbabwevigil

ROHR: 

ZAF: 

The Vigil, outside the Zimbabwe Embassy, 429 Strand, London meets regularly on Saturdays from 14.00 to 17.00 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.

Post published in: Featured