On Saturday 2nd May 2009, a new branch was born in London, the ROHR London South-East branch. People thronged to 375 Old Kent Road from around the United Kingdom to witness this launch. Our audience was diverse. We were privileged to have guests from other nationalities, namely two professionals originally from Nigeria, one a lawyer and former activist. He too addressed the meeting. A Zambian and guests from different ethnicities came too, as evidenced by photos of the day.
ROHR has touched the hearts of many. Men and women, by their determination, sacrifice and commitment to ROHR, not only show their plight and support for victims of human rights abuses in Zimbabwe, but their passion also approves of ROHR Zimbabwe’s objectives, mission and endeavours.
The meeting started with a devotional prayer from sister Ruregerero Zvomuya after which a minute’s silent was observed in remembrance of all the victims of human rights abuses particularly in Zimbabwe.
Then Mr Gore, ROHR UK Co-ordinator and the event’s master of ceremony, introduced our guests and gave a brief background of ROHR: its formation, work achieved to date and long-term objectives. Guest speakers included Mr Tapa (ROHR Founder) and solicitors - Mr Madanhi and Mr Fatai Olaide,. In his brief address Patrick Gore noted that ROHR was the brainchild of Mr Ephraim Tapa, who then teamed up with other Zimbabweans such as Mr Stanley Zvorwadza, Mr Ray Muzenda, Mr Tichanzii Gandanga and other Board members to launch the project. He informed activists that ROHR has grown so big over a short period of time and has international representation with branches in the UK, South Africa, and Zimbabwe adding that the US and Australia were soon to follow. ROHR is a non-party political organisation which accommodated everyone from different political and religious persuasions, provided that the human rights agenda was the shared objective and principle.
Mr Gore quoted by Henry C. Clark about power ‘certain people in power will want to hold on to it’, in reference to what is going on in Zimbabwe. He pointed out that more and more Zimbabweans between the age of 16 and 65 now lived in the Diaspora and that those still in Zimbabwe were thinking about leaving as they continued to suffer untold pain. Children in Zimbabwe have been denied their right to education, healthy nutrition and basic standard of living due to the collapse of the economy, lack of democracy and absence of the rule of law.
Gore then summarised his introductions by saying that any government in power in Zimbabwe, whether by coalition, Zanu PF, or MDC, must respect human rights. ROHR and other human rights organizations will demand the observance of such requirements as per international law.
Mr Tapa then took over the stage, and started with the slogan; ‘To save Zimbabwe Mugabe must go now, Mugabe must go now to save Zimbabwe’. Mr Tapa (a victim of torture in Zimbabwe, himself), informed the gathering that ROHR Zimbabwe had the role to educate Zimbabweans on the subject of human rights and to bring about the spirit of activism. He discussed the right to participate in the government of one’s country referring to 29th March 2008 general election, which took Robert Mugabe’s regime over a month to ‘fix’ the presidential results and justify a non-existent run-off. Rejecting the verdict of the people and deploying arm twisting tactics on the opposition resulted in an illegitimate regime in the form of the inclusive government. Mr Tapa said Robert Mugabe had violated the people’s freedom to choose a government of their choice, adding that the problems currently besieging the unity government could easily be solved by crafting a people-driven constitution with the aid of the international community and culminating in the conduct of a credible free and fair election under international supervision. He wondered whether Mr Tsvangirai had not betrayed those who bravely voted for him, risking life and limb, by joining the murderous Mugabe regime.
Mr Tapa bemoaned the flawed democratic processes in Zimbabwe saying that each election was characterised by violence, torture and vote rigging adding that it was given that the next election would see a blood bath in Zimbabwe. He said this must stop and that people needed education and strategies to achieve this.
Mr Tapa cited the recent election in South Africa, Zimbabwe’s neighbour, which was held in a peaceful environment and added that Zimbabweans could also emulate this example but for selfish, power hungry and corrupt leaders. He added that ROHR Zimbabwe had a duty to expose such malpractices and usher peace in Zimbabwe. Mr Tapa cited the great Nelson Mandela when he said Zimbabwe’s crisis is a failure of leadership.
Mr Tapa urged the audience to unite and confront this dictatorship adding that there is power in unity. He gave an example of the liberation struggle, saying it was fought and won because of unity and courage. He urged members to cultivate a spirit of solidarity and stand up for those whose human rights were being violated everyday. He said ROHR Zimbabwe was ready to spearhead this campaign and stop the rot.
He said to date ROHR Zimbabwe activists had campaigned for democracy, exposed human rights abuses and supported the needy particularly by providing shelter and financial support to victims of political violence. He indicated that ROHR wanted to do more and that it depended on the support of its membership and well wishers.
Turning on the much talked about reconciliation and national healing, Mr Tapa told the audience that the truth must first be told before we can talk of forgiveness. He wondered how it was possible to forgive without an apology and accepting of responsibility for the violations by the perpetrator. He said those who killed, raped and tortured must come out in the open first, acknowledge their misdeeds and express remorse as a strategy towards national healing. He added that the wronged must be acknowledged and compensated.
Mr Tapa declared that without truth there cannot be justice, and only through justice can we beget peace. Mr Tapa went on to say that whilst the constitution formulation was on the cards, it was inevitable that parliamentarians would end up corrupting the document if they led the process. He urged that the process be as independent as possible from party politics for accountability and transparency. He said Zimbabwe was crying for a people-driven not politician-driven constitution pointing out that ROHR Zimbabwe fully supported the struggle by the NCA and other civic organisations sharing the same goal.
Our second speaker was Mr Madanhi, a lawyer from Bake & Co. In his address Mr Madanhi commended ROHR Zimbabwe for its efforts in addressing and exposing human rights abuses. He appreciated the seriousness that ROHR Zimbabwe and its leaders place in attempting to tackle the humanitarian crisis in Zimbabwe. He urged people to seriously look at the situation in Zimbabwe and place themselves in the shoes of those people imprisoned, detained or being tortured. He highlighted the extraordinary recognition ROHR Zimbabwe continues to gain and praised Zimbabweans for their commitment to resolving, exposing and raising awareness of issues of such a magnitude. He advised people to observe the rule of law wherever they are, regardless of their immigration status.
Our third speaker was Mr Fatai Olaide lawyer from Dove Solicitors and a Nigerian by origin. Mr Olaide commended the gathering as a huge success. He said this is the beginning of unity amongst Zimbabweans themselves. He added that he belonged to a number of social groupings of his origin and said this presented with opportunities for sharing. He said while he was in Nigeria he was an activist and he fully appreciated responsibilities placed upon the shoulders of an activist. He reiterated that the people in Zimbabwe, because of politicians who do not want to relinquish power, needed activists more than anything else.
Food: Traditional foods were made available by members of the branch. Sadza, guru, mazondo and also oriental food stuffs were sold as part of our fundraising. On behalf of the Branch I would like to thank all those who took part in the preparation of food for the occasion.
Questions: Some expressed fear for their families back home due to their involvement with ROHR. Some were keen to know how ROHR helps victims of human rights abuses in Zimbabwe. In response Mr Tapa, highlighted that the Zimbabwe government did not tolerate opposing voices, and as such it is without a doubt that human rights defenders were targeted on a daily basis. He cited an incident in Bindura where after a demonstration; many activists took to the mountains as they fled a crackdown by police and government militia. They lived there for more than three weeks without basic necessities and ROHR Zimbabwe had to provide for them. He however urged Zimbabweans to utilise their talents and expertise in a way that would help change Zimbabwe. He said ROHR Zimbabwe had a place for everyone and hence everyone was welcome regardless of political affiliation.
Feedback: Mr Tapa reported that at a meeting in South Africa, it was resolved that a route to sending goods to victims in Zimbabwe duty free should be negotiated. The audience appreciated that and urged Mr Tapa to ensure that this issue is given the urgency it deserves.
Burning desire: People indicated that they are more than ready to support Zimbabweans abroad through cash and kind but do require affordable routes, particularly for tangible bulky items in order to do this. In addition, Mr Tapa informed the activists attending that each branch in the UK would soon be twinned with a constituency in Zimbabwe in order to effectively address the humanitarian needs and promote human rights across the length and breadth of Zimbabwe.
Elections: The meeting culminated in the election of an interim executive committee as detailed below. Thereafter, the Chairperson, Priscilla Chitsinde gave a vote of thanks. We rounded up activities of the day by singing the national anthem, Ishe Komborera Africa. The closing prayer was given Daniel Manyanga, the Chairperson for Bedford Branch. It was a success, and ROHR Zimbabwe South-East branch want to take this opportunity to thank all those who made this launch a success, by their contributions and participation.
The Executive Committee
Chairperson – Priscilla Chitsinde
Vice Charperson – Wellington Rupere
Secretary – Patience Chimba
Vice Secretary – Florence Matomgo
Treasurer – Ruregerero Zvomuya
Vice Tresurer – Dionnie Biwi
Infomation And Publicity – Luke Makumbe, Alice Museka
Advisor / Committee Member - Patrick Gore
Fund-Raisers – Rutendo Chikomo, Mai Mashiri, Chenai Mukaringe
Co-Ordinators – Silvia Nemasango, Getrude Israel
Committee Members – Marshall Rusike, Mrs Mutandwa, Wellington Mawere, Venia Samatinha, Edwick Office, Lawrence Tsuro
Wellington Rupere
Vice Chair
