The ZA is a non-partisan support group for Zimbabwean asylum seekers and refugees in the United Kingdom. The group works to ensure Zimbabwean asylum seekers have access to fair legal representation and accurate information throughout the asylum process.

Below are minutes of the meeting held on 09 July 2010:

Present were:

Pelagia Zigangwe (Hungwe); Makaza Chizinga; Tawanda Machakaire; Ethel Maloba, Lindiwe Maphosa, Irene Masenza, Hilda Gwesele, Clara Muyengwa, Mrs. Mhembere, Martha Mupepura, Ndabezinhle Moyo, Eva Gladys Mapara, George Mapara, Joyce Chikondano, Tichaona Govha, Dorcas Ndhlovu, Tambudzai Chikwanha, Newton Chikwanha, Fadzai M Chikwanha, Angeline Chirunga, Martha Matowa, Elina Hukuimwe, Wendy Kasenza, Shella Ngorima, Benedict Ncube, Hebert Mawadza, Cloud Chunga, Bernard Tapfuma, Prime Somerai, Michael Madamombe, Magret Matizha, Nyarai Membe, Portia Mudzudzu, Tryness Uzande, Mary Muteyerwa, Florence Magenje, Lizzway Jose, Patricia Tayero, Charles Ma,
Rudo Muzondo, Gloria Tafirenyika, Daniel Chirombe, Emmanuel Rwizi, Melissa Tshuma, Patrick Mawere, Michael Mudyiwa, Christina Ndlovu, Estelle Mutare, Patrick Musengwa, Rose Dhlamini, Elizabeth Mangodza, Wadzanayi Mudondo, Mike Banda, Christine Nyamaparo, Emmaculate Mbanga, Priscilla Dube, Grace Jessamin, Nyarai Gaba, Mitchell Meki, Shakespeare Tanhara, Jacqueline Chizinga, ring, Elizabeth Mhara, Jessiman Samanga, Musarurwa Kanyoka, Sibanyoni Sibanda, Sylvia Maziwa, Debra Chinogwenya, Marian Hove, Charles Ndelemani, Crispen Kulinji, Francesca Jakope, Joseph Dzavakwa, Willard Madondo, Lucy Mapfura; Tarisai Kanyoka, Patson Tamburai, Chris Gondoza, Kerri Beech, Cathy
Stevenson, Mary Ganya, Faines Jamu, Inathi Bambeni, Amanda Mroma, Millicent Sabau, Theresina Mhembere, Lilian Chirombe, Patson Muzuwa, Mitchell Meki; Silindiwe Munonyara; Jestiner Manyere;Vimbainashe Mangoma; Talent Norma Chidziwo.

An opening prayer was said by Lindiwe Maposa. The meeting started right on time looking at the previous agenda. Mr Machakayire
asked members to list the kind of projects to be undertaken in Leicester.  Everyone was asked to put down their names in the register
book.

Jackie Chizinga, Mary Muteyerwa, Theresina Mhembere, Tarisai Kanyoka and Martha Matohwa made the following proposals:

- Teaching vernacular languages e.g. Ndebele, Shona, Kore-Kore or Tonga
- Sewing, pattern cutting
- Cooking classes for Zimbabwean men
- Adult learning classes in numeracy and creative writing for young Zimbaweans
- Gardening and Agriculture
- Childcare support classes with focusing on our culture and traditions
- ICT

Mr Makaza Chizinga informed the members that he would be forwarding the proposals to the leadership for consideration with their response expected soon. He went on to update the ZA members of the Deputy Prime Ministers (Thokozani Khupe) visit on Tuesday 06 July 2010 London Diaspora Network Forum which he attended with Pellagia Hungwe. The Deputy Prime Minister Thokozani Khupe spoke about the inclusive
government saying it is not going on well. The MDC party is trying hard but not necessarily succeeding in its efforts. The situation back home in Zimbabwe is a risky situation and she advised that people should first assess whether it was safe for them to return.

During the question and answer session held with Miss Khupe she understood that the majority of the UK-Zimbabwe residents are asylum seekers. At the Network Forum, she promised that she would do as much as she could to help re-skill.

After the briefing on the DPM’s Visit Mr Makaza went on to call upon the guests from British Red Cross (Leicester). Cathy Stephenson and Kerri Beech thanked the Zimbabwean community in trying to help one another before they became destitute and those already in that situation. They
highlighted  some issues that they can offer help with like those in destitute situation and oher issues like applying for NASS Support etc

The meeting ended with Pelagia Hungwe closing the meeting saying “it is us to be united to help each other. Do not be Idle in the face of destitution” and the Red Cross representatives concluded assuring all ZA members present that they are the backbone and support system in times of need. Work together and not to be in isolation.

Any other business announcements were made by Mitchell Meki a ZA Member in connection with Saturday 10 July 2010 to the “ZimVigilUK”. Those going to the vigil for demonstrations should bring the contributions early so that the bus can be hired on time.

Closing Prayer was said and Anthem (Ishe Komborera Africa) before people joined in free-flow discussions and Zimbabwean meals. The next
meeting is scheduled for the 23 July .

Minutes taken by Miss Vimbainaishe Mangoma

Quoting their partner organisation, the Victims Action Committee, ROHR said among the displaced group are seven men, seven women, ten children under the age of twelve and two teenagers. The families faced a similar fate during the election violence in March 2008 and are now living in the bush with no access to food, water and shelter.

This report came just a day after ROHR and the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition both issued statements on the arson attacks that took place in Muzarabani’s Charunda Village Ward 17, resulting in 55 people fleeing the area.

The Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition said ZANU PF burnt down an Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) church and a house belonging to Wirimayi Gono, an MDC councillor, vowing to block attempts by MDC supporters to participate in the constitution making process.

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The ZANU PF leader is said to have told all this to South African President Jacob Zuma two weeks ago, also reiterating that he will not appoint Roy Bennett, the MDC treasurer-general, to the agriculture portfolio or any other ministerial post. The comments were made during a private meeting Mugabe had with President Zuma in Harare.

Yet another clear indication that the latest talks can go nowhere as Mugabe has no intention of sharing power.

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As the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T) has brought itself closer to ZANU (PF), not necessarily for the sake of unity, but unwittingly for its own slaughter, a number of people would agree with me that the re-emergence of the Zimbabwe African People’s Union (ZAPU) has come at the right time to seize the opportunity and fill the opposition political void in Zimbabwe.

The move by the mainstream opposition MDC-T and MDC-M (the latter is a faction from the main MDC T, led by Professor Arthur Mutambara) to join ZANU (PF) has been criticized by many as the death of opposition politics since MDC is now dining with the devil.

There are quite a number of factors that ZAPU could capitalize on to become the strongest opposition party to challenge ZANU PF in a way the MDC has failed to do.  ZAPU has the ability to become a force to reckon with in Zimbabwe’s poisoned political atmosphere due to its revolutionary background.

However, there is groundwork to be done in order to energize the base and relaunch itself as a formidable force to reckon with. One major challenge that ZAPU faces is the burden of being labeled a tribal party for the Ndebele speaking people.  As a member of the party with a Shona background, I know that it is not true that ZAPU is a tribal party and it is simply smear politics to discredit the organization. It is this tribal identity that the party needs to cast off in order to present itself as a truly national party.

As a starting point, ZAPU leaders can exploit its rich revolutionary history and its role in the liberation struggle which is at par with ZANU PF’s record.  The Party’s founding father, Joshua Nkomo, the revered national cadre whose leadership transcended tribal divisions can be cited as a classic example of ZAPU’s national character.

Current ZAPU leaders need to exploit the lack of clear and sound policies within the Government of National Unity (GNU), coupled with disagreements that are stalling progress owing largely to the protracted struggle over outstanding issues that threatens the very existence of the GNU.

In addition, the re-emergence of ZAPU could have a serious negative effect on the MDC’s prospects of winning the next elections since ZAPU derives most of its support from areas that have been recognized as MDC’s strongholds.  Such a situation could divide the opposition vote and could have the unintended consequence of handing electoral victory to ZANU PF on a silver platter.

ZAPU has a potential to alter the political landscape in Zimbabwe and if they can come up with sound policies they could turn out to be the dark horse of the next election whenever it is held.

Malven Nyakuhwa is a freelance community reporter based in Leicester.

Information gleaned from the former ruling party functionaries in the area,recently showed that the overzealous Bhasikiti has of late been commandeering Zanu PF youths trained at the infamous Border Gezi Youth Indoctrination centres, to create no go areas for the opposition in preparation of polls that might be held next year.

Zanu PF’s President Robert Mugabe and MDC’s Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, the key rivals in Zimbabwe’s seemingly unending political stand-off have recently been urging their supporters to prepare for fresh polls in the event that the Global Political Agreement (GPA) which gave rise to the unity government in the country fails. The two leaders, who met with President Jacob Zuma recently, agreed to a package of measures aimed at fully implementing the stalled GPA.

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The source, who spoke on condition that he remained anonymous, said the amendments gazetted two weeks ago, which saw several MDC ministers being stripped of their powers will now be shelved.

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“Despite initial scepticism, Zimbabwe’s year-old unity government has achievements to its credit, but the democratic transition remains at risk, especially from hard-line security officials –– President Robert Mugabe’s last reliable supporters,” the report says.

ICG Africa Programme Director François Grignon said the military posed the greatest threat to transition.

“As Zimbabwe enters its second year under a unity government, the challenges to democratic transformation are in sharp focus,” Grignon said.

“The military leadership and other Mugabe loyalists in Zanu PF are using their symbiotic relationship with the state apparatus to exercise veto power over the transition. A mature political system must develop, so Zanu PF and the MDC engage as both competitors in politics and partners in government.”

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“We are dealing with a whole array of issues affecting Zimbabweans, ranging from the state of the inclusive government, issues to do with the constitution-making process, the dialogue, the general life of the GPA, you name it,” party spokesperson Nelson Chamisa told The Zimbabwe Times Wednesday night.

“The environment is fast deteriorating and we are going to receive reports from all the provinces on what is happening in the country.”

The MDC national executive council comprises 48 members drawn from all the country’s 10 provinces.

It is the highest decision-making organ in between national councils and national congresses.

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