REPORT ON THE DEMONSTRATION AT ZIMBABWEAN EMBASSY IN LONDON ON THURSDAY 30TH JUNE 2016
1st June 2016
On Thursday 30th June, 2016 more than a dozen placard-wielding and chanting Zimbabwean human rights and political activist’s resident in the UK demonstrated
at The Zimbabwean Embassy in London. They belonged to the original ROHR (Restoration of Human Rights) Zimbabwe,
MaZimbabweans Yes, We Can (MZYWCAN) and MDC-T.
Among the demonstrators were David Kadzutu, Peter Sidindi, Mary Muteyerwa,
Pythias Makonese, Delina Mutyambizi, Bridget Mupotsa, Mildred Guzura, Egster Chemusora, Chipo Kamhunga, Patricia Chingozha, Sibongile Bvungidzire’ Lorraine Mudjgiwa and Grace Makoni.
The demonstration was against the continued persecution of human rights and
political activists in Zimbabwe by state agents, the rampant corruption by senior politicians in the government of Zimbabwe, the demolition of people’s homes, the harassment of vendors, the selective application of the law and the general
disregard of the Constitution of Zimbabwe by the Zimbabwean Government.
Prominent among the issues flagged by the demonstrators, is that of Itai Dzamara
who was abducted on 9th March, 2015, presumably by the dreaded CIO agents, in
Glen View, Harare and has never been seen again. A journalist by profession,
Itai Dzamara, through his Occupy Africa Unity Square movement, is famed for a
sustained and unequivocal campaign for the resignation of the tyrant Zimbabwean
President.
Also prominent was the trending matter of Stendrick Zvorwadza who is currently
on bail, facing frivolous charges of threatening to burn down the Rainbow Towers
hotel. He had demonstrated at the five star Harare hotel on Friday 24th June, 2016
and Sunday 26th June 2016 with members of one of ROHR Zimbabwe’s thematic
off-shoots, “Tajamuka”, demanding that Zimbabwe’s Vice President, Phelekezela
Mphoko move out of the expensive hotel into a $3.5 million worth government
sponsored house.
Stendrick Zvorwadza and some of the members of “Tajamuka” were beaten up by
riot police, arrested, interrogated and tortured following the two demonstrations.
They are still being hounded by state agents.
The combative Stendrick Zvorwadza is the founder of the original and authentic
ROHR (Restoration of Human Rights) Zimbabwe of which he is a serving Board
member. He is also the Chairperson of NAVUZ (National Vendors Union Zimbabwe)
and is a prominent fighter for social justice across the board.
One of the organisers of the demonstration, Pythias Makonese, who was also
responsible for the publicity of the event, engaged inquisitive members of the public
and took time to explain the cause as well as to obtain signatures to the three petitions
that the demonstrators had. One of the petitions was to the SADC and the AU, one to
the Government of the United Kingdom and the third to the European Union.
He highlighted the non-alignment of Zimbabwean laws, through legislation, to the
Zimbabwean Constitution as a discordant area of concern as the Government of
Zimbabwe was exploiting the situation to deny citizens their rights.
David Kadzutu, Peter Sidindi, Mary Muteyerwa, Lorraine Mudjgiwa, Delina Mutyambizi
and Grace Makoni also gave brief interviews to the media during the demonstrations.
The demonstration started around 11.00 hrs and lasted until around 12.15 hrs after the
embassy had closed down for business for the day.
To view some of the pictures taken at the event, click here or follow link below.
By: Shangoni WaHamisi
Information & Publicity Department
