Restoration of Human Rights (ROHR) Zimbabwe

Saturday 17 January 2009 marked the beginning of another branch for ROHR in Northampton. Despite the biting cold wind, the people turned up in support of restoring human rights in Zimbabwe, where the rule of law no longer exists. Mr Chimimba began by introducing Mr Paradzai Mapfumo the current UK ROHR Zimbabwe Co-ordinator and the founder and President of ROHR Mr Ephraim Tapa. An opening prayer from Mrs Maria Karichi preceded participants’ self introductions.  

It was refreshing to hear a moving devotion from Ms Chakaredza, the Information and publicity secretary for Wolverhampton. She told the gathering that she had not known what ROHR was all about, until a friend invited her to the Wolverhampton branch launch. She said she was touched and moved on knowing why ROHR was formed and emphasized that it was everyone’s duty to fight for our beloved Zimbabwe. She added that Zimbabweans must stop moaning about Mugabe’s evil ways and policies but that time for ACTION was NOW!  

With us was key speaker, the President and founder of ROHR Zimbabwe Mr Ephraim Tapa. Mr Tapa began by thanking everyone for their commitment demonstrated by their presence at the launching event. Mr Tapa expressed appreciation at the individual fundraising efforts by Ms Chakaredza that he said made a huge difference in our struggle against human rights violations in Zimbabwe. He encouraged other participants to embark on robust fundraising activities for the cause adding that it was ‘none other than ourselves’ to save Zimbabwe.  

Touching on the human rights abuses in Zimbabwe, Mr Tapa said he felt for the Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP), coordinator, Jestina Mukoko, abducted from her own house in Norton on the 3rd December 2008. He told the meeting that he knew exactly how it feels to be abducted, being taken away by strangers from loved ones and the pain of torture and near death, all from his gruesome experience of 23 days in a torture camp at the hands of Zanu PF and Mugabe militias. He said one has to live by the minute, anxiously wondering what the next moment brings for you; a matter of life and death. Mr Tapa also informed the gathering that he was worried sick about the 40 ROHR activists who had taken to living in the Bindura mountains after being hunted out of their homes by the militia. He said ROHR UK had a responsibility to look after the victims in partnership with other NGOs who were working tirelessly to feed the people of Zimbabwe.  

Mr Tapa proceeded to launch a scathing attack at the arrogant, laidback and reckless manner in which the Mugabe regime was handling the Cholera epidemic in Zimbabwe as many lives were being lost and a lot of suffering being endured. Media reports indicate that over 3 000 people have died and nearly 50 000 infected. On the economic situation, the President said inflation had gone completely out of control and the government had not the slightest clue on how to remedy the situation and that the dollarization of the economy had priced most basic commodities out to the reach of the poor and sick, effectively condemning them to their slow but sure death. Something drastic needed to be done sooner rather than later to save lives. He went on to say the people of Zimbabwe are fast losing their confidence in the country’s political leadership and justifiably wondered if there was any glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel. He reiterated the fact that the people of Zimbabwe voted for change in March 2008 and not for Robert Mugabe and his regime and called for SADC and the international community to honour the people’s verdict.

As ROHR Zimbabwe, we say enough is enough; we cannot take anymore of ZANU PF’s crooked, oppressive and corrupt ways.  

The ROHR President said that the declaration of human rights says every child had a right to education yet schools had still not opened. With teachers threatening not to report for duty unless their demands are met, it is increasingly doubtful that schools will open come 27 January 2009. That most schools will demand fees in foreign currency is another big hurdle for the majority of parents who do not earn in foreign currency let alone an income.  

Mr Tapa said ROHR is an action orientated organisation geared towards empowering the people on their rights and raising their consciousness to their collective potential to bring about the much desired change. He added that ROHR strongly believed in true freedom, justice and peace.  

After his speech, the president welcomed questions from the floor. The day’s proceedings culminated in the election of the Northampton Interim Committee presided over by Des Paraiwa (Vice Chair Birmingham) and Coleen Maredza (Chair Wolverhampton).  

The event was also attended by a delegation from Bedford led by Daniel Manyanga (who signalled their intentions to set up a branch in Bedford) and Cambridge branch’s Anna Mubaiwa, Margaret Jenkins and Jerry Mubaiwa.  

Many thanks to those who prepared the delicious food for the day, all ROHR activists who came a long way from other towns as a show of support for the human rights causes.    

Rugare Chifungo
London ROHR Activist