ROHR Zimbabwe Combined Manchester & Liverpool Branches Meeting Saturday 13th September, 2014 Reportrohr-zimbabwe-combined-manchester-a-liverpool-branches-meeting-saturday-13th-september-2014-report’,
14th September, 2014
On Saturday 13th September, 2014 Restoration of Human Rights (ROHR) Zimbabwe human rights activists from Greater Manchester, Darwen, Halifax, Crewe, Liverpool, Leeds, West Bromwich and Kent in the UK converged at Salford University (Room MS1.32), Manchester for a meeting of the combined Manchester & Liverpool Branches which started at 2:00 pm and ended at 4.10 pm.
Attendees included Pythias Makonese (Chairperson and from Crewe), Mavu Chinyani (Vice Chairperson and from Darwen). From Bolton were, David Ngwenya (Treasurer), Tichaona Chikandamina and Daniel Nyoni. From Halifax were Christine Chitongo and Linda Zimba. Other attendees were Mishell Chirunga (Fundraiser and from Liverpool), William Shoriwa (Organizing Secretary), Chipiwa Stella Makaranga (Activist), Rejoice Chimedza (Activist and from Radcliffe), Nicola Siboniso Khanye (from Coventry), Zandile Thusi, Tichapondwa Shoriwa, Chris Deda (Deputy Information & Publicity Secretary), Ruth Chitsanzo Goba (Fundraiser) and Lorraine Mudjgiwa (Co-ordinator – North – UK Chapter and from Leeds).
Apologies were received from Petronella Mahachi (Secretary and from Liverpool), Delina Mutyambizi (Treasurer in the National Executive) and Information & Publicity Secretary: – Chenai Mudzamiri.
The meeting was also attended by the Chairperson of the UK Chapter, Pamela Dunduru (from West Bromwich) and two members of the Board of Trustees, Panyika Anselm Karimanzira (International Spokesperson) and Paradzai Mapfumo (International Director and from Kent) all of who took turns to update the meeting on current human rights situation in Zimbabwe as well as the universal activities of ROHR Zimbabwe. They also dwelt on the dire situation unfolding at Chingwizi Camp where flood victims were still being subjected to abuse by state apparatus, the resurgent violent farm invasions, especially in Matebeleland and Masvingo, the continuing unemployment induced demonstrations (mainly in Harare) and the attendant Police brutality as well as the continuing harassment, arrest and persecution of vendors trying to earn an honest living and the general absence of rule of law in Zimbabwe.
The meeting also discussed The Universal Declaration of Human Rights in considerable detail as well as the Aims & Objectives of ROHR Zimbabwe. This was in line with the ongoing theme “Who is a human rights activist” and especially for the benefit of new members.
The meeting was interactive with everyone participating in the proceedings. As has become standard practice, the issue of the way forward for the Manchester & Liverpool Branch in its ever-important role of providing material and intellectual resources to the people on the ground in Zimbabwe was revisited and deliberated upon. Also discussed were the potential themes and subjects for the branch’s next batch of petitions and the targeted audience and modalities for same. The meeting agreed to defer the vigil originally set for Saturday 27th September, 2014 to Saturday 25th October, 2014 due to logistical reasons and tasked the Branch Executive Committee to hold a teleconference before the latter date in order to finalize the logistics and the matter of placards and petitions.
There was also a lively question and answer session during which everyone present contributed to the ensuing debate on a wide range of topics, including ROHR Zimbabwe’s ongoing involvement with and impact on the activities on the ground in Zimbabwe.
The meeting ended at a around 4:10 pm.
To view pictures taken at the event, click here or follow link below.
By: Information & Publicity Department
