NOTICE - ROHR ZIMBABWE SCOTLAND BRANCH ZOOM MEETING - SATURDAY 15TH AUGUST 2020

 

CELEBRATING INTERNATIONAL YOUTH DAY – 12TH AUGUST 2020

12^th August 2020

Restoration of Human Rights (ROHR) Zimbabwe joins the rest of the progressive world in celebrating International Youth Day today 12th August 2020.

We acknowledge, appreciate and applaud the leadership of the youth in Zimbabwe including the young people who lead feminist movements or organizations. These are some of the most powerful drivers of change and that is one of the reasons why we throw our weight behind them. 

This includes young female leaders like Namatirai Kwekweza, Vongai Zimudzi, Noxolo Maphosa and a lot more others who are braving the wrath and brutality of a rabid regime to fight for the rights and freedoms of the people of Zimbabwe.

We also acknowledge, appreciate and applaud young male leaders like Terence Gata, Yongerson Matete, Tawanda Muchehiwa, Josphat “Mzaca” Ngulube and a whole host of others.

Their efforts will not go unnoticed. The future of Zimbabwe lies in the hands of the youth of Zimbabwe. 

We take this opportunity to urge the government of Zimbabwe to start upholding and respecting all the human rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the African (Banjul) Charter on Human and People’s Rights and the Constitution of Zimbabwe.

Human rights are everyone’s rights.

Inserted by: –

Information & Publicity Department
Restoration of Human Rights (ROHR) Zimbabwe

The torture of Tawanda Muchehiwa yet another new low

7^th August 2020

By Nontokozo Malaba Ncube

Mduduzi Mathuthu is a renowned Zimbabwean investigative journalist.
ZimLive, the online newspaper he edits, has published a number of stories on widespread, and to some extent, institutionalised corruption. Most of those stories have exposed senior government officials and business people with clear links to Zanu PF.

Mathuthu's work had gone under the radar, or so he thought, until 30^th July 2020.
Having also published previews about a protest organised by a peripheral political opposition figure, slated for the following day, Mathuthu had secretly been marked and targeted by state agents. For strange reasons, they accused him of being one of the protest's organisers.

Police stormed his home in Zimbabwe’s second-largest city, Bulawayo, in the afternoon of 30 July 2020, hoping to abduct and torture him as has become standard practice by the unprofessional Zimbabwe Republic Police when dealing with perceived enemies of the state as defined by ZANU-PF. Fortunately, the ZimLive editor was not at home when that happened. His nephew, Tawanda Muchehiwa, was not as lucky though.

Tawanda Muchehiwa is a 22-year-old journalism student. Police took him as bait and for a couple of days in captivity,  they tortured him in a way that has roused emotions of anger and widespread condemnation. The regime has lost its marbles.

Everyone is quite aware of the level of cruelty the Emmerson Mnangagwa led-government is capable of, but misdirecting anger towards someone who is independent of the issue at hand was just a new low and a blow below the belt.

For starters, the person being pursued, Mathuthu had not done anything wrong. He simply exposed the rot that keeps creeping up and deepening its roots within the system. If anything, he deserves a reward for his commendable work. Yet that has endangered his life and that of members of his close family.

The current regime's record has always been marred by accusations of violation of human rights, but it seems  those in authority are so drunk with power they never stop for a bit to reflect on the pain they continuously inflict on innocent citizens.

Subjecting innocent citizens to abduction, torture, rape and other despicable forms of brutality,  creates an irreconcilable gulf between the government and the citizens, destroys lives and causes citizens to lose respect for law enforcement agencies.

Victims lose their dignity. They become scarred for life, physically, psychologically and emotionally. There is little scope for healing and recovering from that.

The ordeal suffered by Tawanda Muchehiwa is just one example of thousands of similar incidents. The fact that the trend continues unabated is a clear sign that the government of Zimbabwe is unrepentant and will go to any length to cling to power despite being unpopular.

The list of his rights that were violated include the right to personal freedom, security, shelter and food, among others.

For Muchehiwa, all these were thrown out through the window the moment the alleged State security agents set their hands on him.

He suffered acute renal failure as a direct result of torture, at a critical time when health workers are hardly reporting for duty in protest against poor remuneration and poor working conditions. 
One can thus, only ask themselves if ever the independence that is constantly preached in the country was ever attained in the first place. What is independence, who is independent, from who or what?

Mnangagwa and his allies need to realise that people are fed up and that the wind of change is unstoppable.

The issue of the violation of human rights in Zimbabwe has always been and will always be a cause for concern.

Some people are going to have to answer for these once they leave office.

About the author;-
Nontokozo Malaba Ncube is a human rights activist and a member of Restoration of Human Rights (ROHR) Zimbabwe’s UK Chapter. She is also a member of the opposition MDC Alliance party. She is based in the United Kingdom and can be contacted by email on nmncube44408@gmail.com

ROHR Zimbabwe North Branch Zoom Meeting Saturday 1st August 2020 Report

3^rd August 2020

On Saturday the 1^st of August 2020, the North Branch of the UK Chapter of Restoration of Human Rights (ROHR) Zimbabwe held a meeting via Zoom. Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, it is still imperative that the branch observes lockdown guidelines and minimise face to face gatherings where possible, hence the use of the Zoom platform. The meeting was chaired by Branch Vice Chairman Vengai Mutsawu.

Register of Attendance:
Vengai Mutsawu (Vice Chairman), Karen Nhakaniso (Secretary), Estery Dhliwayo (Treasurer), Pauline Makuwere (Organising Secretary), Nontokozo Malaba Ncube (Committee Member), Tabeth Mabiza-Nhakaniso.

Apologies: Farai Nhakaniso (Chairman), Petronella Mahachi (Information &Publicity Secretary)

Agenda

1)       Update on Zimbabwean Situation

2)       ROHR UK National Campaigns

3)       North Branch Zimbabwe Campaign

4)       Fundraising and Donations

5)       How to help vulnerable Zimbabweans living in the UK

6)        Any Other Business

The meeting connected at 14:00 hrs

1)       Update on Zimbabwe Situation

-          Members on the call gave their individual update on what has been happening in Zimbabwe over the last couple of weeks.

-          Karen:  The arrest of whistle blowing journalist Hopewell Chin’ono and Opposition politician Jacob Ngarivhume. Hopewell exposed alleged government corruption involving Covid-19 supplies. The two are charged with inciting public violence from his expose and social media posts. They have been denied bail and are still in prison. These activists’ actions forced the government to charge former Minister of Health Obadiah Moyo with corruption. In contrast to the treatment that was given to Moyo whilst in prison and under court orders, Chin’ono and Ngarivhume were in chains when coming to court. This exposes the double standards in the way the government of Zimbabwe treats activists and its own allies. 

-          Vengai:  On 31 July, the government sent police to the city centres to try block activists from going to the organised demonstrations. The three MDC Alliance girls and their lawyer had gone to court to fulfil their reporting conditions at Police Central. On their way, the car they were travelling in was stopped by police officers and army personnel. They were harassed. Joanna Mamombe streamed the encounter that shows the treatment that they were subjected to. The government has brought ‘witnesses’ forward that claim that the girls were lying. 

-          Vengai: In ZANU PF there have been two prominent deaths, Perence Shiri and the spokesperson for the army. Official reports claim these to be due to Covid-19. There are rumours that these are suspected poisonings due to the upheaval that is occurring in ZANU PF. Evidence cannot be gathered as Perence Shiri has already been buried. No autopsy was done. 

-          Nontokozo: Former ZANU PF Youth League Deputy Secretary Lewis Matutu is in hiding. Matutu quit his social media, deleted his Twitter, and went into hiding after appearing to take aim at President Emerson Mnangagwa and his family on corruption charges. Suspected state officials were unable to locate him and they have resorted to abducting Matutu’s relative to try get him to reveal where Matutu is.

 

2)       ROHR Campaigns

-          We have 4 major campaigns that are currently happening in UK Chapter.

a)       #HumanRightsViolationsUnderED

-          This campaign has been launched and spearheaded by volunteers from the UK Chapter. The campaign is looking at the human rights violations under ED government. If any member in the North wants to join, they advise the branch committee.

-          Action to take: Sign the petition and share it on your social media platforms.

Source: https://www.change.org/p/african-union-stop-human-rights-violations-in-zimbabwe?recruiter=false&recruited_by_id=3051b660-ca74-11ea-a153-25cf56462f7b

b)       #StopViolenceAgainstWomen

-          This campaign was launched after the #MDCTrio was arrested, abducted, beaten, sexually assaulted and dumped by the side of the road. This campaign was launched to call for an end for the escalating violence that is being committed against women by state officials, the police, and the army of Zimbabwe.

-          Actions: The members that attended said that they will take the photos by the end of the week and write a statement condemning violence against women.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/may/17/zimbabwean-mdc-activists-abducted-and-sexually-assaulted

c)       #MeetYourMPCampaign

-          This campaign seeks to raise awareness about the situation in Zimbabwe to Members of Parliament in the UK. The campaign aims to persuade MPs to put Zimbabwe on the agenda. The updated letter concentrates on human rights violations by the Emerson Mnangagwa government.

-          Actions: Provide your full name and your MP’s name to the Branch secretary so the MP letter can be written on your behalf. A letter will be sent to you to email your MP as MP clinics are currently not possible.

Source:  https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2020-03-17/30822/

https://guidetoprocedure.parliament.uk/articles/8MHJ9zSp/how-to-submit-a-written-question-online

d)       #RestoreDontIgnore

-          This campaign highlights the various ways in which the government of Zimbabwe has destroyed or looted resources from the country and its citizens. This campaign covers such things as education, health, sports, culture, employment, industry, rule of law etc.

-          Actions: The North Branch has decided to concentrate on the recent news of 7 stillborn babies at Harare Central Hospital on the night of 27 July 2020. The branch will have photos taken in their ROHR t-shirt and write a statement about it.

Source:  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-53580559

 

3)       North Branch Zimbabwe Campaign

-          As a branch is there a way that we can identify a campaign or a place that we can raise money for. Just as the Scotland Branch was able to help the foodbank in Epworth during this Covid-19 crisis, can the North Branch find somewhere they can help too. Nontokozo suggested that we identify the areas that we want to do. Each one of us would want to make an impact in the places that we are from.  Estery spoke of the Hurricane that affected people in Chimanimani. These people have yet to receive help.  Vengai suggested that we list the places or people that need help and then say who needs the immediate. We have limited finances, but our fundraising efforts can make a difference.  Nontokozo suggested that we start mobilising finances. This is next on the agenda.

Suggested Projects:

Project
Chimanimani Hurricane Idai Survivors	This is a dire need and as a branch we can pursue this first as survivors are homeless.
Bulawayo Water Crisis	There are several city councils that are struggling with water.
HIV/AIDS Orphans	Zimbabwe has a high HIV/AIDS mortality rate, as branch we can help orphans with various items.
SOS Charity work in partnership with	See notes**

 

-          **Pauline approached SOS charity on behalf of the branch, to find out if ROHR can work with them and we start a project back home. SOS does different activities. Activities for women and young persons for skills and projects so they are able to survive. A program that helps these young adults that would be struggling to help themselves. We can also help women and widows. The point of these projects is helping them with the knowledge rather than hampers or money. The lady at SOS advised that she speak to Pauline in a few days. Pauline will update as soon as she hears anything.

-          Branch decided to pursue the Bulawayo Water Crisis. We need to identify the specific area or group that we will be supporting. There are a lot of people that are struggling with water. Identify the town/area with a dire situation. The borehole costs £1500 upwards. A borehole would ensure that people receive a long-term solution. This will allow us to make a true difference. We can approach The National Executive with this so we can get other branches onboard.

4)       Fundraising and Donations

-          First, we need clarity on where to put our funds. Members are not comfortable to have the funds sent to personal accounts. If we are to pursue these projects lets, ensure that we have bank accounts with full access by the branch and can be audited. Even if we want to access funding it is difficult because we have no traceability.  Pauline suggested that we join CashPlus or Tide. Pauline will find out details and advise ASAP.

-          As a registered charity, we need meeting minutes, constitution. With no constitution then letter on headed paper. Minutes of the meeting will confirm that a bank will be opened. The people to be signatories and the committee and minutes will be signed by two people.

-          Minutes will say that why we wanted to open accounts.

-          ID and proof of address for signatories.

-          Three signatories: Farai Nhakaniso, Mr Karimanzira and Pauline Makuwere need to coordinate this and get the account registered.

-          The monthly contributions can be £5-10 per month from members that will kept at ROHR to keep our branch’s fundraising pot healthy.

-          Pauline will be chasing these up and Estery will advise where it will be sent till the Branch has their account sorted.

-          It is difficult with Covid-19 to do fundraising

5)       How to help fellow Zimbabweans in UK

-          How can we as an organisation help our fellow Zimbabweans in the United Kingdom that are struggling especially now with Covid-19.

-          Can we not have food hampers such as monthly 5kg of Mealie Meal for example. The vouchers cannot buy IWISA since they are not available in the big supermarkets.

-          There are people that can even buy clothes. There are charities that give clothes, but they do not get their size.

-          Pauline talked about New Life and suggested if we can get in touch with charities such as New Life to get support for Zimbabweans in the UK. Even approaching Primark for example.

-          We need to identify people that are not in the system at all.

-          We need to pick this up with more members on the call. As an organisation we will need policies in place etc that need a bigger body to address.

6)       ANY OTHER BUSINESS

a)        T-Shirts for ROHR

-          Pauline raised the issue about t-shirts and subscription card for ROHR.

b)       Membership fees will be chased up by Pauline

c)       The banner for the Branch. Will Nontokozo be able to have a banner that she can have so that she can use it since she lives faraway?

-          Need to raise these issues with the National Executive

-          Membership cards are done from Zim so Pauline to speak to Mr Mapfumo of when the next batch will be

-          T-Shirt are with Grace Makoni so need to speak to

All agenda items and any other business having been exhausted, Vengai Mutsawu declared the meeting closed at 15:57 hrs.

Minutes written by Branch Secretary Karen Nhakaniso

 

To view pictures taken at the event, follow the link below; -
https://www.flickr.com/photos/rohr_zimbabwe__manchester/albums/72157715346451622

 

 

By: Information & Publicity Department

 

ROHR Midlands branch zoom meeting held on Saturday 1st August 2020 – Report

1^st August 2020

On Saturday the 1^st of August 2020 the Midlands Branch of the UK Chapter of Restoration of Human Rights (ROHR) Zimbabwe held a zoom meeting. The meeting was chaired by Nicolate Gwati.

Register of attendance 

Nicolate Gwati, Lilian Nleya, Laina Murape, Harriet Ndlovu, Alvina Chibhamu, Marian Mangani, Maruwiza Nkhambala, Grace Makoni, Blessing Goronga, Nigel Mbohwa and Thenjiwe Ndlovu

Apologies: Nomagugu Sibanda

Meeting start 14:00hrs

Agenda

1)       Two years on from the 1^st of August 2018 killings and injuries

2   Outcomes of 31^st July 2020 demonstrations in Zimbabwe

3)       Any other business

Nicolate started the meeting by welcoming people and by finding out how everyone was doing in the area where they live.

1)       Two years on from the 1^st of August 2018 killings and injuries

-          Nicolate asked people what we could do as activists to highlight the atrocities that happened in Zimbabwe on the 1^st of August 2018 and whether the recommendations that the Motlanthe Commission made to the government in the aftermath were implemented?

-          Alvina highlighted that people need to keep on sharing the petition that ROHR did which highlights all the human rights abuses that have occurred since President Mnangagwa came into power in November 2017 to date

-          Grace spoke about doing placards with our message and perhaps also doing a demonstration

-          Marian also reiterated about doing placards and posting the messages on our social media platforms. She also indicated that the government never provided help to the people who were injured as a result of police and army brutality

-          Laina also mentioned that the soldiers who shot the people were never held accountable

-          Alvina indicated that we need to call upon the international community to intervene and speak to the Government of Zimbabwe over their failure to uphold the human rights of citizens

-          Maruwiza commented that ZANU PF seem to be in denial that they are the killers especially taking into account the press conference that Chinamasa gave in response to the July 31^st demonstrations that had been called for

-          Nicolate suggested that people do their placards after the meeting highlighting everything that happened on the 1^st of August 2018 and all those who were in the meeting were in agreement

2)       Outcomes of 31^st July 2020 demonstrations in Zimbabwe

-          Nicolate asked people what they observed from the demonstrations that were initiated by citizens on the 31^st of July 2020.

-          Marian highlighted that people who had used social media to demonstrate spoke about all the things that were not going well in Zimbabwe. She also indicated that as an individual a person can stage their own demonstration

-          Harriet commented that at the moment its difficult to sort out the problem that is ZANU PF as they are oppressing people

-          Marian also commented that people were intimidated and as such they couldn’t exercise their Constitutional right to demonstrate due to the deployment of the army on the streets

-          Thenjiwe commented that she attended a demonstration in George Square in Glasgow but there were only a few Zimbabweans who attended. She also emphasised that people need to work together in order for them to make an impact. She also commented that whilst we are here in England we are privileged in that we can demonstrate without any fear of reprisal from the police but many are not taking advantage of that privilege of being the voice t o the voiceless. She also commented that the people in Zimbabwe are so hungry that their loyalty is easily bought

-          Marian also added that people are willing to post articles, but they are not interested in actually standing up against injustice

-          Alvina also reiterated what Thenjiwe had mentioned indicating that there had been so much planning and involvement for the Glasgow demonstration but on the actual day of the demonstration only 5 people turned up. She also observed that in these days of zoom there was still limited participation from members which was very disheartening.

-          She also indicated that Howard Nyoni who facilitated the demonstration also highlighted that if the demonstration had been a South African thing there would have been loads of people in attendance

-          Nicolate added that people had to be aware of what was happening on the ground in Zimbabwe in order to be effective activists. She gave an example of Greta saying that she started off demonstrating alone but because of her consistency she now has a following of millions. She also encouraged that even as individuals, people can still state demonstrations in designated public places

-          She also observed that many people who took part in the demonstrations were in very small groups and of those who took part at least 13 people were arrested including Fadzayi Mahere and Tsiti Dangarembga. She also commented that many of the people who were demonstrating were the youth and some even in the rural areas like Chiredzi. It seems as if everyone did what they could to highlight the government’s inefficiencies including posting videos and photos on Facebook, Twitter, etc

3)       Any other business

-          Nicolate asked people to think of reliable news sources that others could use to find out what was going on in Zimbabwe in real time and Zimeye, ZLHR, and Bulawayo24 were mentioned

Before the close of the meeting it was concluded that people would do placards with messages highlighting what had happened on the 1^st of August 2018 to mark that anniversary. With all matters of business on the agenda concluded the meeting was closed by Nicolate.

Meeting ended 1550hrs

To view pictures taken at the event, follow the following link;-

https://www.flickr.com/photos/rohr_zimbabwe__manchester/albums/72157715322305466

 

By: Information & Publicity Department