https://www.flickr.com/photos/zimbabwevigil/53699842402/sizes/m/
Amid
all
the
hype
by
Zimbabwe’s
Finance
minister,
Mtuli
Ncube,
about
Zimbabwe’s
so-called
‘strongest
economic
growth
within
the
region’,
nothing
but
deprivation
can
be
felt
by
the
jobless
millions
who
continue
to
suffer
in
abject
poverty.
The
standard
of
living
for
many
continues
to
plummet,
with
the
introduction
of
the
new
currency
and
the
confusion
that
goes
with
it.
It
is
no
wonder
that
schools,
government
institutions,
and
most
in
the
private
sector
continue
to
demand
payment
in
US
dollars.
The
other
day,
the
Army
General,
Vice
President
Chiwenga,
ordered
the
arrest
of
all
money
changers
in
towns
ostensibly
for
rigging
the
new
currency.
What
Chiwenga
needs
to
know
is
that
it
is
the
level
of
trust
invested
by
the
transacting
public
into
a
currency
that
either
sustains
or
kills
it
and
does
not
command
monetary
policies.
In
the
meantime,
the
Chinese
continue
to
wreak
havoc
in
the
countryside,
extracting
whatever
minerals
of
value
they
come
across,
damaging
the
environment
with
wanton
recklessness,
facilitating
the
passage
of
their
loot
out
of
the
country
through
corruption
and
treating
Zimbabweans
like
modern
day
slaves.
There
have
been
what
worrying
movements,
though,
from
the
Western
world,
as
they
move
towards
prioritising
trade
apparently
at
the
expense
of
human
rights
and
democracy. It
would
appear
that
there’s
now
a
scramble
for
Zimbabwe’s
resources.
Only
3
days
ago,
the
British
ambassador
to
Zimbabwe
stated
that
the
UK
was
‘keen
on
full
normalisation
of
relations
with
Zimbabwe’
and
that
encouragement
was
being
given
to
the
UK
banking
sector
to
get
involved
so
as
to
‘propel
trade’
and
reduce
any
barriers.
And
the
EU
had
a
strong
presence
at
the
just
ended
Zimbabwe
International
Trade
Fair
2024,
with
more
member
states
participating
and
more
projects
on
show.
It
is
reported
that
the
EU
/
Zimbabwe
trade
volume
is
now
approaching
US$1
billion.
The
Zimbabwe
Vigil
is
alive
to
the
need
for
Zimbabwe’s
economic
revival
but
believes
that
any
progress
made
will
not
be
felt
by
the
majority
of
people
if
corruption
is
allowed
to
reign
unchecked;
if
state
sponsored
human
rights
violations
against
perceived
opponents
to
the
military
backed
ZANUPF
regime
continue
unabated;
if
the
democratic
space
continue
to
shrink.
For
this
reason,
the
Western
world
is
reminded
to
remain
true
to
their
values
–
democracy,
rule
of
law,
freedom
of
thought,
assembly,
and
equal
opportunities
to
all
citizenry.
At
a
ROHR
meeting
held
earlier
in
the
day,
it
was
resolved
that
the
2024
Sponsored
15-mile
walk
would
be
on
20
July
and
that
the
next
ROHR
General
meeting
would
be
on
1
June.
Thanks
to
those
who
came
early
today
to
help
set
up: Dickson
Chikwizo,
Simbarashe
Jingo,
Chido
Makawa,
Patricia
Masamba,
Kerina
Paduze,
and
Ephraim Tapa
They
were
joined
by
Blessing
Harry,
Jonathan
Kariwo,
Charity
Mahuni
and
Philip
Maponga,.
At
a
meeting
of
our
sister
organisation
the
Restoration
of
Human
Rights
in
Zimbabwe
it
was
decided
to
make
a
new
Vigil
banner.
A
special
thank
you
to
those
who
contributed
a
new
Vigil
banner:
Dickson,
Blessing,
Simbarashe,
Jonathan,
Chido,
Philip
and
Ephraim.
For
photos, see: https://www.flickr.com/photos/zimbabwevigil/albums/72177720316726133/.
For
Vigil
pictures
check: http://www.flickr.com/photos/zimbabwevigil/.
Please
note:
Vigil
photos
can
only
be
downloaded
from
our
Flickr
website.
Events
and
Notices:
-
Next
Vigil
meeting
outside
the
Zimbabwe
Embassy. Saturday
18th May
from
2
–
5
pm.
We
meet
on
the
first
and
third
Saturdays
of
every
month.
On
other
Saturdays
the
virtual
Vigil
will
run.
ROHR
general
members’
meeting. Saturday
1st June
from
11
am.
Venue:
Royal
Festival
Hall.
Contact:
Ephraim
Tapa
07940793090,
Chido
Makawa
07413024807.
-
2024
ROHR
sponsored
15
mile
walk. Saturday
20th June.
More
information
as
plans
develop. -
The
Restoration
of
Human
Rights
in
Zimbabwe
(ROHR) is
the
Vigil’s
partner
organisation
based
in
Zimbabwe.
ROHR
grew
out
of
the
need
for
the
Vigil
to
have
an
organisation
on
the
ground
in
Zimbabwe
which
reflected
the
Vigil’s
mission
statement
in
a
practical
way.
ROHR
in
the
UK
actively
fundraises
through
membership
subscriptions,
events,
sales
etc
to
support
the
activities
of
ROHR
in
Zimbabwe. -
The
Vigil’s
book
‘Zimbabwe
Emergency’ is
based
on
our
weekly
diaries.
It
records
how
events
in
Zimbabwe
have
unfolded
as
seen
by
the
diaspora
in
the
UK.
It
chronicles
the
economic
disintegration,
violence,
growing
oppression
and
political
manoeuvring
–
and
the
tragic
human
cost
involved. It
is
available
at
the
Vigil.
All
proceeds
go
to
the
Vigil
and
our
sister
organisation
the
Restoration
of
Human
Rights
in
Zimbabwe’s
work
in
Zimbabwe.
The
book
is
also
available
from
Amazon. -
Facebook
pages:
Vigil : https ://www.facebook.com/zimbabwevigil
ROHR: https://www.facebook.com/Restoration-of-Human-Rights-ROHR-Zimbabwe-International-370825706588551/
ZAF: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Zimbabwe-Action-Forum-ZAF/490257051027515
The
Vigil,
outside
the
Zimbabwe
Embassy,
429
Strand,
London
meets
regularly
on
Saturdays
from
14.00
to
17.00
to
protest
against
gross
violations
of
human
rights
in
Zimbabwe.
The
Vigil
which started
in
October
2002
will
continue
until
internationally-monitored,
free
and
fair
elections
are
held
in
Zimbabwe.
Post
published
in:
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