Speaking up for democracy and justice

The Strand is a place to be every Saturday afternoon outside the Zimbabwe House in London. On average, about 200 people regularly gather every weekend to protest against gross violations of human rights by the current illegitimate Robert Mugabe regime in Zimbabwe until there are free and fair internationally monitored elections.

The birth of Zimbabwe vigil

On a lively and eventful sunny Saturday afternoon, Zimbabwean born Rose Benton, the co-ordinator for Zimbabwe Vigil Coalition spared a moment to speak to Hatnews.

She gave a background of Vigil from the time MDC Treasurer and MP for Chimanimani Roy Bennett (now living in South Africa) and Tony Reeler of the Amani Trust visited UK in 2002 and suggested a regular vigil against the despotic government in Zimbabwe, as an effective way to raise awareness to the flight of Zimbabwean people.

During the apartheid era in South Africa, similar protests were held outside the South Africa House and were hugely successful. This therefore resulted in the Central London branch of the Movement for Democratic Change setting up the Zimbabwe Vigil which was officially launched on the 12th of October 2002 and has been held every Saturday since. Two other organisations, Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe (ROHR) and the Zimbabwe Association are members of the Vigil Coalition. The Observer newspaper describes Zim Vigil as the largest demonstration in London.

Rose left Zimbabwe, then Rhodesia in 1969 because her husband could not live under white racist UDI government. However she has kept regular contact with some members of her family still in Zimbabwe.

Hive of activities

The order of activities on the day include handing out of information flyers and newsletters, hoisting big banners with names of victims of Mugabe’s brutality murdered in the March 29 elections.

Patson Muzuwa, a charismatic human rights activist and Zimbabwe Association chairman leads the crowd in song with his gritty high pitch voice and rhythmatic drumming accompaniment by him, young Jiggaz and two other equally energetic percussionists. The protesters harmoniously join in chanting, stomping toyi-toyi dancing and whistling. Other natural singers and performers from the crowd also take turns to burst into songs and dance.

When asked how she views the five years of protests during all weathers, Rose said, ‘They have been years of interesting ride. We have been meeting a lot of passers-by from all walks of life who go down the Strand, and overwhelming sympathise with us. Also a large number of Zimbabwean asylum seekers are incredibly supportive in our protest.’

‘We have lobbied and petitioned the UN, the EU the British Government, the African Union, the Southern African Development Community, President Thabo Mbeki etc.’ she went on.

Early this year Rose organised a trip for 25 Vigil activists to Lisbon for the EU- Africa heads of state summit. Amid a throng of protesters, the all-singing, all-dancing Zimbabweans gained widespread attention. Mugabe was furious to be upstaged and his mouthpiece, the Herald Newspaper bitterly denounced the protesters as puppets of the UK government.

The Vigil has also held extra protests to mirror events in Zimbabwe like trade union protests and weekday demonstrations during election times. It (the Vigil) has held mock elections here in 2002, 2005 and in March 29 this year marking elections at home only for their hopes to be dashed when the elections were stolen through violence, stuffed ballot boxes and a rigged voters’ roll.

Rose revealed that ZimVigil is in the process of negotiating to protest with the Burmese and the Tibetans outside the Chinese embassy at the opening of the forthcoming Beijing Olympics. China has vetoed human rights resolutions on all three countries at the UN Security Council meetings.

Ongoing political violence

Suspected opposition supporters in Zimbabwe are being subjected to attacks and beatings by marauding Zanu PF militia and CIOs loyal to Mugabe despite inter-party talks.

SW Radio Africa reports thst Zanu PF have strategically closed smaller militia bases to amalgamate them with main bases in several constituencies. These bases are being referred to as District Command Centres and their inhabitants continue to engage in abductions, rape and violence against MDC supporters. 3 opposition supporters have been killed since the talks began according to reports.

On the other hand the economy of the country has catapulted towards meltdown. Hyperinflation means that a newly introduced Z$100 billion note is not enough to buy a loaf of bread. Most of the economic activity is based on hard currency remittances by some of the almost four million Zimbabweans who have fled the country in recent years.

The latest harvest has been dismal, bread may soon run out and widespread famine is a threat. The World Food Programme estimates that by early next year 5.1million people could be facing starvation.

However, for as long as the situation on the ground in Zimbabwe does not change, with Mugabe and his henchmen at the helm, it is business as usual every Saturday at the Strand.

Website: Zim Vigil