Restoration of Human Rights (ROHR) Zimbabwe

A busy week for the Vigil combating pro-Mugabe propaganda but with the ironic outcome of being apparently on the same side as Mugabe as far as the timing of elections is concerned. Mugabe now seems to agree with us that Zimbabwe should have elections in the two-year timeframe envisaged in the GPA; the sooner the better as far as we are concerned – provided that the international community can ensure that the elections are free and fair. 

This was the message the Vigil put to President Zuma on Friday when we confronted him on his arrival at South Africa House at...

Image of today was President Mugabe welcoming President Zuma to the South African High Commission in London with the poster ‘Have another wife on me’, in gratitude for Zuma’s campaigning for the lifting of shopping sanctions. 

The fact that Mugabe (in the form of the Zimbabwe Vigil’s Fungayi Mabhunu) was sporting a row of horse brasses in place of decorations was considered appropriate by the crowd of more than 100 Zimbabweans gathered at South Africa House.  

To be fair to Zuma, he did give us a friendly wave when he arrived at the High Commission – despite the booing and chants of...

PRESS NOTICE – 3rd March 2010                                 

Exiled Zimbabweans are to stage a demonstration outside the South African High Commission in London on Friday 5th March during a state visit to the UK by South Africa’s President Zuma.  

They will hand over a petition calling on President Zuma to arrange early elections in Zimbabwe because of the failure of the interim unity government to agree on reforms.  Mr Zuma is the mediator appointed by the regional grouping the Southern African Development Community.  

The demonstration is organised by the Zimbabwe Vigil which has been protesting outside the Zimbabwe Embassy in London for the past...

Vigil supporters discussed President Zuma’s state visit to the UK. We were surprised that, on the eve of his visit, he called for the lifting of EU targeted sanctions against Mugabe and his cronies.  

We at the Vigil thought perhaps he hadn’t realised that the measures had recently been extended for another year. It gradually dawned on us: Zuma is just another Mugabe appeaser . . . give Mugabe what he wants and he will play ball (fat chance!).  

So it’s no change then in South Africa’s foreign policy, which has seen consistent championing of anti-democratic regimes from Burma to Iran. South...

ALERT – CHECK http://www.zbnnews.com/home/index=121 FOR ZBN NEWS’ COVERAGE OF SATURDAY’S MUGABE BIRTHDAY PROTEST ON ZIMVIGIL TV.

Swigging appropriately from a Methuselah of champagne, a swaggering (or was it swaying) Robert Mugabe, accompanied by Amazing Grace, celebrated his 86^th birthday at the Zimbabwe Embassy in London, receiving presents and birthday cards. 

Among the gifts presented by Vigil supporters wearing devil masks (including June Pedzeni, Francesca Toft and Siza Ndebele) were parcels labeled ‘Looted Diamonds’ and ‘Sanctions Eased’. Vigil supporters were puzzled why the EU should remove sanctions against the police officer in charge of beating up Tsvangirai in 2007. The EU spoke...