Restoration of Human Rights (ROHR) Zimbabwe

Chairperson: Mr. Ephraim Tapa
Vice Chairperson: Thandiwe Gwarumba
Secretary: Tapiwa Merrymore Semwayo
Vice Secretary: Wellington Muringai
Organizing Secretary: Chamunorwa Chisuko
Vice Organizing Secretary: Cephas Musvusva
Treasurer: Fungayi Mabhunu
Vice Treasurer: Jonathan Kariwoh
Co-ordinators: Collin Chitekwe and Jonathan Kariwoh
Secretary for Fundraising & Projects: Meryline Turdor
Fundraising Members: Mary Ndoro, Christopher Kamuzonde, Pedzisai James and Taylor Madondo
Information and Publicity Secretary: Barney Kavai
Vice Info and Publicity: Nobuhle Amanda Mazula
Co-ordinator: Tawanda Desmond Matemura

ROHR Zimbabwe Flickr page
For photos of ROHR meetings and events, please check the new ROHR Flickr site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/90023465@N03/. For ROHR photos pre-2012 check: http://www.flickr.com/photos/zimbabwevigil/

At ROHR Birmingham Branch’s meeting on 26^th January 2013, their committee was reorganized as follows:

Chair: Thandiwe Gwarumba
Vice Chair: Anne Chikumba
Secretary: Lorraine Manenji
Vice Secretary: Zenzile Chabuka  
Treasurer: Pedzisai James  
Organising Secretary: Jane Mary Mapfuno
Fundraising: Petronella Mapara
Vice Fundraising: Petronella Masango
Information and Publicity: Huvandirwa Makaza
Vice Information and Publicity:  Tecla Bandawe

Launch of the ROHR Southampton Branch
Date: Saturday 23^rd February at 2 pm
Venue: Swaythling Neighbourhood Centre, Southampton, SO16 3AY

In addition to this the occasion was attended by Mr Arnold Magwenyata and Mr David Kadzutu, the Founding members of Yes We Can Zimbabwe. They both gave moving speeches which augmented the founding principles and values of ROHR Zimbabwe and the conviction of all in attendance.

Chamunorwa Chisuko (National Organising Secretary) and Taylor Madondo (Chairman Southampton Branch) started the occasion off by welcoming everyone to the Launch of the Southampton Branch. After introducing everyone in attendance, Chamunorwa Chisuko invited Mr Ephraim Tapa (ROHR Zimbabwe President) to the floor.

The president began by clarifying and emphasising that ROHR is not a political party, that ROHR is there is challenge the abuse of human rights in Zimbabwe.  He followed this by introducing Mr Arnold Magwenyata and Mr David Kadzutu from Yes We Can Zimbabwe. He explained that Mr Magwenyata was a political veteran well known in Zimbabwe politics known to be an advocate for the Zimbabwean people and their liberation struggle against political oppression.

Mr Ephraim Tapa praised everyone in the room for their conviction to do something and not be indifferent about the situation in Zimbabwe. He expressed particular joy in being in Southampton because of the history of detractors who had previously tried to destabilise ROHR in Southampton. He said that ROHR was an organisation conceived from strong convictions and values and not easy to destroy because of what it stands for.

Mr Tapa went on to mention that ROHR was an organisation that is focused on the restoration of human rights in Zimbabwe and was founded by him, other torture victims and those who were abused in Zimbabwe. Mr Tapa stated that he was tortured, and rescued and then started ROHR Zimbabwe. He reiterated the fact that Zimbabwean people were in the Diaspora because there was no peace in Zimbabwe. There is no rule of law and the army, police and Zanu PF oppress people with impunity. He mentioned injustices that range from people being harassed and tortured to the denial of basic Human freedoms and liberties.

Mr Tapa ended by urging all Zimbabweans to TAKE RESPONIBILITY for the situation in Zimbabwe!

His key words were “Today is an opportunity to rise and take up against tyranny and injustice”. There were numerous contributions and questions from the floor. The highlights were contributions from Shadreck Chivange, Sally Mutseyami (Vice Chair Southampton) and Tawanda Dzimba (Secretary Southampton).

There was a feast for kings served to all in attendance during the occasion and comments from the floor were that this should set precedence for all future ROHR Zimbabwe events.

Election and confirmation of the Southampton Executive:

The following were voted into office at the ROHR Zimbabwe Southampton Branch Executive

Chairperson:                  Taylor Madondo
Vice Chairperson:           Sally Mutseyami
Secretary:                     Tawanda Dzimba
Organizing Secretary:     Manfred Mambo
Vice Organising Secretary: Wellington Mukucha
Treasurer:                     Timothy Musawani
Vice Treasurer:              Brian Kaitano
Info & Publicity-             Tracy Jacobs Dzimba
Vice info & Publicity-   Noma Gugu
Secretary for Fundraising: Natalia Chiurunge
Committee member: Aaron Chipeture

Present at the Occasion were: Ephraim Tapa (ROHR President,  Anesu Moyo (National  Organising Secretary), Mrs Zvorwadza ( Chairperson Nottingham), Miss Dube (Chairperson Leicester), Christopher Kamuzonde (Organising secretary Leicester), Jonathan Kariwo (National coordinator), Patricia Masamba (Slough Branch-National coordinator), Colin Chitekwe (Kent Branch) Arnold Magwenyata( Zimbabwe We Can), David Kadzutu ( Zimbabwe We Can), Thandie Nyamvura (Birmingham Branch), Frank Sugar, Moses Makawa, Bruno Ngondonga, Shaddrick Chivhange, Jane Merry Mapfumo, Jabuka(Birmingham), H Mbele, A Mazula(Nottingham), Cosper(Milton Keynes), Eniah Dube(Chairperson-Leicester),Brain Mashonganyika, Patricia (Slough) and  Chamunorwa Chisuko (National Organising Secretary) and others.

ROHR Coventry was relaunched on 02/02/2913 and what an exciting day it was!  The occasion was attended by members from Birmingham, London, Newcastle, Nottingham and Leicester. The President Mr Tapa was also in attendance. It was held at the Stoke Heath Community Centre in Coventry.

Members were given a warm welcome by one of the event organisers, Hilda Gwesele, who invited the President to the floor. In his address, Mr Tapa started by thanking Coventry Branch for organising the re-launch.  He explained that the organisation ROHR (Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe) was a non-partisan human rights watchdog. He emphasized that ROHR was keen on the restoration ofhuman rights in Zimbabwe to stop the suffering. The President also expressed that ROHR had a goal to keep fighting for human rights until peace, justice and freedom was realised in Zimbabwe. Mr Tapa prompted all members to play their part by recruiting new members to cause and to keep the flame burning for the sake of the motherland.

Members were given the floor to discuss the Zimbabwe situation. They voiced their concerns on the upcoming Zimbabwe elections – that people were afraid of the potential violence reminiscent of 2008 elections and expressed concern over the lack of sincerity and due care on the part of the Inclusive Government. The whole house agreed that ZANU PF was poised to steal the election and that Zimbabwe lacked leadership. Some members also expressed concern over abuse of women by the youth militia and the looting of diamonds by the political elites. The meeting was unanimous in their rejection of the draft constitution arguing that it was written by four leaders of political parties and not the people and was meant to safeguard the interests of the political elites. They were equally scathing in their criticism of opposition leadership’s lack of regard of human rights causes and utterances attributed to the Zimbabwe Premier suggesting it was now safe for Zimbabweans abroad to return home.

The relaunching of the Coventry Branch was organised by the members of Coventry who showed dedication to the cause and loyalty to the organization. Hats off to Tafadzwa Mushakwe for her tireless efforts in organizing the venue and mobilizing a high turnout; to Future Mafukidze for allowing the team to prepare food at her house free of charge; to Esinati Mbaluko for donating money for food and to Justice Matiza for taking care of the kids. The Chairperson also appreciated the Chinomona family for the donations they made towards making the event a success. The meeting gave members a platform to express their views on the Zimbabwe Crisis and for those who were not familiar with ROHR, to gain more knowledge on human rights and the organisation. New members were also made aware of their role in the organization including the obligation to subscribe.

Lastly elections were conducted and the new Coventry executive came out as follows:

Chair: Hilda Gwesele
Vice-Chair: Rodwell Chinomona
Secretary: Tendai Sarah Chinomona
Organising Secretary: Tafadzwa Mushakwe
Vice Organising Secretary: Future Mafuratidze
Treasurer: Kudzayi Chinomona
Information and Publicity Secretary: Justine Matiza
Vice Information and Publicity Tendai Vheremu
Fundraising: Sarah Bwetu, Esinati Mbuluku

In her vote of thanks, the newly elected Chair, Hilda Gwesele took the opportunity to thank members present for their effort, and the National Executive members for the support and leadership. It was indeed a jolly good day!