12th September 2021

On Saturday 11th of September 2021, the North Branch of the UK Chapter of Restoration of Human Rights (ROHR) Zimbabwe held a monthly meeting on Zoom platform from 1400hrs to 1545hrs.
The meeting was chaired by Nontokozo Malaba Ncube (North Branch Vice Chairperson).

Register of attendance
Nontokozo Malaba Ncube (North Branch Vice Chairperson), Karen Nhakaniso (North Branch Secretary), Mavis Harrison (Vice Organising Secretary), Stephen Harrison (North Branch member), Silvanos Mudzvova (North Branch member) and Bongani  Themangombe (North Branch Member)Delina Mutyambizi, (UK Board of Trustees) Vongayi Mufara (Information and Publicity Officer, UK Chapter) Malvern Dengu (South Branch), Edineth Mtengwa (Scotland Branch), Dambudzo Dzapasi(South Branch), Blessing Goronga(Midlands Branch) Harriet Ndlovu (Scotland Branch), Olivia Chamboko (Scotland Branch), Grace Makoni(Midlands Branch).

Apologies:
Vengai Mutsawu (Branch Chairperson)
Omega Mpofu (North Branch Treasurer)

Introduction: –
Nontokozo welcomed members, acknowledged members from other branches and outlined the agenda.

Matters arising from the previous meeting
None were raised.

Agenda:

Welcoming New members
North Branch gained two members, Stephen Harrison and Bongani Themangombe. New members were introduced to the branch and encouraged to familiarize themselves with the branch operations through revising information there were given about membership and active participation. The vice chairperson reiterated that the Branch has channels to be followedthrough the executive committee.

Participation& Activism
The branch is stifled with ongoing issues of commitment and participation. Members are not communicating if they would be attending the meeting or not.
According to the constitution, members are supposed to attend at least one meeting in 3 months. Failure to do so will lead to being struck off the register. Therefore, members are encouraged to make efforts to attend branch meetings within the period of 3months.
Members are also encouraged to communicate or send their apologies through respective platforms if they cannot make it to the meeting.

Feedback from Freight Forwarder
Mavis was advised to specify the goods to be sent and that there are for charity purposes.
Goods should not exceed 30kg per box, 6 bottles of alcohol per box.
There is a collection fee of £10 and delivery fee £10.

Campaigns

Upcoming Nation Demonstration

Campaign Launch (#StopEDVisitToUK)

The North Branch successfully launched the campaign of #StopEDVisitToUK#ZimbabweansLivesMatter on 10/09/21 in support of the upcoming national demonstration which will be conducted in Scotland between 31/10/2021 and 12/11/2021. Exact dates aimed at targeting the 3 days of ED’s visit are yet to be confirmed by UK Chapter.

#StopEDVisitToUKcampaign will continue until the day of action (National Demo).

Campaign posters are published onTwitter and Facebook.

Members are encouraged to participate and submit posters showcasing the human rights violations and atrocities under ZANU-PF and Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government. Other Branches have been invited to join and support the campaign.

Members are encouraged to actively support the campaign by sharing the published posts to give it more publicity. Twitter followers to retweet and like as well as Facebook participants to share and like.

Feedback from Transport & Accommodation Committee

Transport

North Branch adopted to organizing own transport and accommodation for the upcoming 3 Day demo.

Nontokozo advised that Mr Mutsawu managed to collaborate with Mr Machingauta (MDC A Manchester Branch) regarding approaching RAPAR to request transport assistance. An email was sent to RAPAR-now awaiting response.

Accommodation
Mavis was not successful with the booking inquires due to not having actual dates, number of people for room shares and the proximity of the hotels to the venue. She was encouraged to liaise with Vongayi who will link her withScotland members to assist.

 Ongoing Campaigns

(#StopDemolitions)
The ongoing demolitions continue to be the issue of concern in Zimbabwe as many families are left unhoused. UZumba villagers are facing challenges of being moved away from their places to accommodate Chinese mining. We must continue to raise our voices against these demolitions which are violating human rights.

Current Updates
It is noted that some youths (between 18 and 19) are reluctant to vote due to the notion that voting is for older people.
Members pointed out failures by the Zimbabwean government.

  • The government has started rigging mechanisms of making it difficult for citizens to obtain National I.D’s, especially the youthwho are at the edge to voting.
  • There are few designated registration centers countrywide which are not even easy to locate. This seems to be another tactic which is used by the regime to deny citizens their constitutional right to vote.
  • Although we are nonpartisan entity, one of our significant roles is to protect human rights as human rights activists. Voting is a human right, and everyone should have access to it. Therefore, there is need to take part in educating citizens about voting to ensure that citizens are aware of their right to vote so that they can vote for the government of their choice.
  • The government has failed to provide safe and secure transportation. Recently the government imposed ZUPCO monopoly through restricting informal transport operators popularly known as Mushikashika (Kombis). Citizens were left stranded and overcrowded with no social distancing observed in major cities due to ZUPCO incapacitation.This forced the government to recommission dilapidated old trains build in the 1960’s. There are no train stations or platforms build within the cities and so, commuters end up being dropped at unsafe places which is a worrying issue night. Permanent Secretary for  Information Publicity, Nick Mangwana was seen on twitter declaring that the trains are fully functional and effective despite legitimate concerns being raised by citizens. This appears to bepolitics exhibited by the government to give a picture that there are fulfilling their promises of rebrandingin their manifesto.

A.O.B
Appeal for more pledges to execute the ongoing project.
Members are encouraged to be vigilant on the issues of human rights violations and expose them as happen.

Resolutions

  1. To create a flyer showing National Voter Registration centers and circulate it widely.
  2. Take part in initiatives to educate citizens on the importance of voting and approach families and friends individually to raise awareness.
  3. Raise voices on the poor systems and machinations by the regime of not providing sufficient voter registration centers and facilities.

All agenda items and any other business having been exhausted, Nontokozo Malaba Ncube  thanked everyone for attending and declared the meeting closed at 1545hrs.

Minutes compiled by: Nontokozo Malaba Ncube

To view pictures taken at the event, follow this link.

By: Information & Publicity Department