26th November 2020

On Wednesday 25thNovember 2020, ROHR North Branch Committee had a meeting to determine works that need completing and updates. Nontokozo Malaba Ncube chaired the conference call. Meeting started at 1607hrs.

Minutes were taken and compiled by Karen Nhakaniso

Attendees
Nontokozo Malaba Ncube, Petronella Mahachi, Vengai Mutsawu, Karen Nhakaniso, Delina Mutyambizi, Magadaline Moyo

Apologies
None received

Agenda

  1. Tapiwa Makore Campaign
  2. Campaign on the 1st December
  3. Bank Account
  4. Borehole Drilling
  5. AOB

1 ) Tapiwa Makore campaign

A letter is being written by the Secretary about the ritual killings that are occurring in Zimbabwe.

An update on the case is that the uncle (the accused murderer) has applied for bail at the High Court. Bail hearing was heard before magistrate Chitapi. If he is granted bail he may abscond. He is employed by the US Embassy in Harare, Zimbabwe. The parents of Tapiwa have been relying on the police and did not have a solicitor. Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) has now assigned them a lawyer to assist them through this process.

There was yet to be a decision. Vice Chairperson Vengai Mutsawu will forward the article to Secretary Karen Nhakaniso.
If the letter can be drafted as soon as possible so that members can send this letter to the US Embassy in Harare to highlight the fact that their employee is an accused in a case involving such a gruesome murder.

  1. Campaign on the 1st December 2020.

The campaign is designed to look back at Human Rights Violations in Zimbabwe over 2020 and is appropriately named #AYearInTheLifeOfZimbabwe. It is of importance to also highlight the cases that are little known. The committee will write down their individual cases and meet the deadline previously set.

  1. Bank Account

The National Chairperson of the UK Chapter, Nicolate Gwati was asked to speak to the Board of Trustees about North Branch opening a bank account. Branches can open accounts. The UK Chapter is currently using the North Branch account. The Board is working on rectifying issues so that the UK Chapter can open an account and we can have our account back.

It was requested that the account have a savings account as well so the North branch can use that temporarily. Delina advised that we needed to ask Mr Karimanzira to find out from the bank if that would be possible. Vice Chairperson Vengai Mutsawu to action.

  1. Borehole Drilling

Luveve in Bulawayo was identified as the most affected in terms of unclean water. Vice Chairperson Vengai Mutsawu is putting together quotations for the borehole and this will give an idea how much needs to be raised. The borehole will have a ROHR seal so we can help our communities in Zimbabwe.

  1. AOB

Delina made a point that we should make a lot of noise at the US Embassy in Zimbabwe and in London regarding Tapiwa Makore’s case. It is important that we highlight the accused uncle’s conduct as their employee as participating in a ritual killing of his nephew.

With all agenda items and any other business having been exhausted, Nontokozo Malaba Ncube declared the meeting closed at 1650hrs.

By: Information & Publicity Department