ROHR Zimbabwe North branch zoom meeting - Saturday 14.11.2020 Report

15^th November 2020

On the 14th of November, the North Branch held their monthly meeting on the Zoom platform from 14:00 till 15:18. Nontokozo Malaba Ncube chaired the meeting as Vice Chair was having issues with network.
Minutes compiled by Karen Nhakaniso

Register of Attendance
Vengai Mutsawu (North Branch Vice Chairperson), Nontokozo Malaba Ncube, Sheilla Mironga, Thabani Dube Muleya, Harriet Ndlovu, Lilian Nleya, Nicolate Gwati (UK Chapter Chairperson), Karen Nhakaniso (North Branch Secretary)
Apologies
Farai Nhakaniso (North Branch Chair)

Agenda
1. Tapiwa Makore Ritual Killing
2. Hopewell Chin’ono Arrest
3. Recent Issues in Zimbabwe
4. Branch Fundraising and Donations
5. AOB 

1. Tapiwa Makore Ritual Killing
Tapiwa senior’s twin has been arrested and is appearing in court, accused of having taken the head of Tapiwa. The family has received many donations from outside sources.
Members on the call were asked if there was anything that could be done to raise awareness around ritual killings.
As a branch we can write a letter to the Zimbabwean Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services raising this issue of children that are being sacrificed for ritual purposes in Zimbabwe
The North Branch was tasked with gathering information on ritual killings of children in Zimbabwe after which the letter can be written.
Branch members to send information to secretary Karen by end of day Friday.

2. Hopewell Chinon'o Arrest
Hopewell has been arrested again as he is accused of having broken his bail conditions. He was very vocal on social media about the corruption rampant in Zimbabwe. It was established that the youth of Zimbabwe are very vocal about the affairs of celebrities for instance, the recent deaths of socialites Genius 'Ginimbi' Kandugure or Moana without being active about cases such as Hopewell who is trying to highlight how corruption is affecting their everyday lives. As a branch we need to run a campaign about affairs that affect our lives. Our activism should be increased to highlight how people have been imprisoned, raped and abducted.
Many of the government officials that are charged with some form of corruption are not kept in prison.
Members agreed to run a campaign the main thrust of which would be to juxtapose the treatment of human rights defenders and that of ZANU-PF cronies by the Zimbabwe Republic Police and the captured Zimbabwean judiciary when faced with arrest and prosecution.
The introduction to the campaign could be satirical in order to draw attention. For example, we could start by thanking Zimbabweans for mourning Ginimbi and then go on to invite them to show the same level of enthusiasm in solidarity with incarcerated human rights defenders like Hopewell Chin’ono

Suggestions for hashtag:
#EventsOf2020 #CorruptionIn2020 #AYearInTheLifeOfZimbabwe2020
Time - Beginning of December for members to send their information

3. Recent Issues in Zimbabwe
Ineffective Emergency Services - the horrific accidents of Genius 'Ginimbi' Kandugure.  The people in the car were burning alive because the emergency services did not have the tools to assist. Ginimbi himself was alive for 5 minutes after the accident and he died because of lack of emergency first aid on the scene.
This highlights the effects of corruption on the provision of essential services. Corruption empties public coffers thereby leaving essential services with no funding and hence, not functioning.

4. Branch Fundraising and Donations
People can raise funds the way they wish. Suggestions that came up included a bake sale, running a marathon to raise funds, ordinary donations or fundraising from as little as £5. Members to do whatever they can to raise funds, whatever amount will surely go a long way.
The opening of the bank account was to be handled by Pauline, Farai and Mr Karimanzira. Other branches have their own pots to deposit for the branch. Currently ROHR UK Chapter is working on the constitution to enable the opening of branch accounts. Vice Chair Vengai Mutsawu asked when a response can be expected from UK Chapter Board for account opening. We have yet to receive an update, Nicolate will chase the UK Board of Trustees for an update on the constitution.
The committee will go back and deliberate today and advise by the end of the week. Members should not stop fundraising efforts.

5. AOB
Meet Your MP Campaign - Nicolate Gwati confirmed that the letter will be ready by next week. Karen Nhakaniso confirmed she has information from Vengai, Nontokozo, Delina and herself. This information will be forwarded to UK Chapter Secretary Alvina Chibhamu.

All agenda items and any other business having been exhausted, Nontokozo Malaba Ncube concluded the meeting and declared it closed at 15:18hrs.

To view pictures taken at the event, follow the link below; -https://www.flickr.com/photos/rohr_zimbabwe__manchester/albums/72157716921529733

 

 

By: Information & Publicity Department

ROHR Scotland Branch Zoom Meeting – Saturday 07.11.2020 Report

 8^th November 2020

On Saturday the 7th November 2020, the Scotland Branch of the UK Chapter of Restoration of Human Rights [ROHR] Zimbabwe held their monthly meeting via zoom. The meeting was chaired by Lindah Chenyama (Committee Fundraiser).

Minutes were taken and compiled by Masciline Mzondiwa

REGISTER OF ATTENDANCE

Masciline Mzondiwa, Lindah Chenyama, Vongayi Mufara, Harriet Ndlovu, Alvina Chibhamu, Olivia Chamboko, Thenjiwe Ndlovu, Mavis Harrison (South Branch), Nontokozo Ncube (North Branch)

Agenda

1. Welcome and Apologies (Lindah Chenyama)

2. Confirmation and adoption of minutes of previous meeting (Alvina Chibhamu)

3. International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women - 25 November (Alvina Chibhamu)

4. Poor Education system in Zimbabwe (Vongayi Mufara)

5. Poor health facilities for pregnant women in Zimbabwe (Harriet Ndlovu)

6. Monitoring and recording of Human rights violations in Zimbabwe (Vongayi Mufara)

7. Christmas zoom party (Lindah Chenyama)

8. Any other business

1. Welcome and Apologies

Lindah Chenyama (Committee Fundraiser), the Chairperson of the meeting welcomed everyone and asked everyone to introduce themselves. No apologies were received.

2. Confirmation and adoption of minutes

Alvina Chibhamu called for seconding of last month’s minutes. The minutes of the previous meeting were unanimously approved as distributed.

3. International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (25 November)

Alvina explained the history of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (25 November) which brings to the fore human rights violations against women and girls. These issues include but are not limited to; sexual violence and harassment (rape, forced sexual acts, unwanted sexual advances, child sexual abuse, forced marriage, street harassment, stalking, cyber- harassment, all forms of intimate partner violence such as marital rape, femicide, battering, psychological abuse, human trafficking (slavery, sexual exploitation); female genital mutilation; and child marriage.

Alvina also applauded Scotland branch for tackling some of these issues in several of the campaigns done this year. She invited suggestions from other members and it was agreed that we use previous relevant campaigns to continue this theme as the said campaigns were effective; retweeting, sharing on social media to continue raise awareness and tagging some notable names associated with the campaign such as UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka.

4. Poor education system in Zimbabwe

Vongayi updated us on the current situation pertaining to the dire education system in Zimbabwe. Teachers are refusing to return to the schools but going on strike- demonstrating, demanding proper remuneration and proper sanitation equipment. The children in turn took to the streets demanding their right to an education as most of them are being forced to be wayward and milling around the streets, playing football and engaging in sordid acts like taking drugs, teenage pregnancies etc.

Alvina mentioned one of the heroes who got a mention from our campaign #CelebratingOurOwnHeroes - Obert Masaraure - President of Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) who has been arrested and abused severally, but has stood firm and continues standing up for the rights of the marginalised rural teachers.

It was put to the group to come up with suggestions concerning this issue since all of us here have passed through a teacher’s hand. Alvina also raised a point of delivering a campaign in a different format as we have tended to be one directional in campaign strategy so far. 

Thenjiwe suggested featuring schoolchildren with their different messages but not necessarily showing their faces

Nontokozo added that we could become those schoolchildren and run the campaign wearing school uniforms representing students and holding placards written about poor education.

Alvina also added that we could incorporate all the pictures and write a blog article featuring student/ teacher demonstrations and showing the dilapidated school infrastructure in Zimbabwe.

5. Poor health facilities for pregnant women in Zimbabwe

Harriet spoke passionately about the state of the healthcare system in Zimbabwe, in particular the plight of the pregnant woman. While the constitution of Zimbabwe guarantees the right to healthcare, the situation on the ground is a far cry from being idealistic. Zimbabwe’s once enviable healthcare is now completely collapsed with the situation reaching new heights such that most women cannot afford hospital bills, lack of drugs, staff that are poorly paid and frequently going on strike just to name a few.

Harriet called out the First Lady-Auxilia Mnangagwa on why she is silent about such issues while women are dying in labour, losing their babies at birth or stillbirths, babies being born outside in maternity queues, midwives asking for bribes. She stated that some women are having to resort to giving birth at home which is dangerous, this is happening due to corruption in the country, at the hands of Zanu-PF government that has continued to loot funds.

Thenjiwe highlighted the research she conducted for the #StopVIolenceAgainstWomen campaign where some of the findings were that even contraception is not freely available to all (something which they should be entitled to) and this results in poor people having large families that they cannot sustain as they cannot do anything to prevent the pregnancies. She also noted Zimbabwe is one country that does not have child grants to assist low income families in such dire circumstances.

Vongayi commended BusStop TV who are using satire to point out such social issues in our country and the government’s response or lack of it.

6. Monitoring recording of human rights violations in Zimbabwe

Vongayi spoke about the Human Rights Violations Subcommittee which has been tasked with recording violations as they happen in Zimbabwe. She has put it to the group that it is also something that every activist should be concerned about. The branch agreed to record these human rights violations on a rotational basis and post findings on the Committee as well as give a full report on the monthly meetings. This will also help each and every one of us to be up to date and be in the loop with what is happening in Zimbabwe.

Alvina concurred and shared that it will help us identify what campaigns to come up with every month. Also to make this a standard agenda item for all our future meetings, i.e after greetings and confirmation of minutes we can then report on the Human Rights Violations updates. All present were in agreement. 

7. Christmas Zoom Party

Lindah touched on the imminent festive season and suggested we hold a Christmas party via zoom since we will not have any meeting in December. We could play music, games, buy each other presents and it will be a good way to round off the year and also good for team building.

Masciline proposed we buy Christmas presents or donate towards the kids in Zimbabwe instead of buying each other presents, and feel that it would be a nice gesture and nice feeling for the kids to receive presents for Christmas time.

Olivia suggested to communicate with our runner in Zimbabwe and find out more information for us eg a hamper including sweets or toys for the kids and will be delivered to them.

Everyone agreed to contribute a minimum of £10 and if others can contribute more they are free to do so.

8. Any Other Business

Harriet gave a rundown of the branch account transactions and shared the bank balance

All agenda items and any other business have been exhausted, Linda Chenyama declared the meeting closed 15.30pm

To view pictures taken at the event, follow the link below.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/rohr_zimbabwe__manchester/albums/72157716790538558

By: Information & Publicity Department

Celebrating Tsitsi Dangarembga - by Harriet Ndlovu

 

Celebrating Tawanda Muchehiwa - by Nontokozo Malaba Ncube

 

Celebrating Silvanos (Bhanditi) Mudzvova - by Anonymous ROHR Zimbabwe

 

Celebrating Morgan Richard Tsvangirai - by Vengai Mutsawu

 

Celebrating Joanna Mamombe, Cecillia Chimbiri & Netsai Marova - by Karen Nhakaniso

 

ROHR Zimbabwe North Branch Zoom Meeting Saturday 17 October 2020 Report

18^th October 2020

On Saturday 17^th of October 2020, the North Branch of the UK Chapter of Restoration of Human Rights(ROHR) Zimbabwe held a meeting via Zoom Platform. Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, it is important that the branch observes lockdown guidelines and minimise face to face gatherings, hence the use of the Zoom platform. The meeting was chaired by Branch Vice-Chairman Vengai Mutsawu.

 

Register of Attendance

Vengai Mutsawu (Vice Chairperson - North Branch), Delina Mutyambizi (North Branch), Estery Dhliwayo (Treasurer - North Branch), Panyika Karimanzira (North Branch), Nontokozo Malaba Ncube(Committee Member-North Branch), Magadaline Moyo (Fundraiser - North Branch), Harriet Ndlovu (Scotland Branch), Vongayi Mufara (Scotland Branch), Alvina Chibhamu (Scotland Branch), Lindah Chenyama (Scotland Branch), Nicolate Gwati (Chairperson -  UK Chapter) Blessing Goronga (Midlands Branch), Grace Makoni(Treasurer -  UK Chapter), Mpho Kimberly Ndhlovu – North Branch)

Apologies: Farai Nhakaniso (Chairperson - North Branch), Karen Nhakaniso (Secretary  - North Branch)

Minutes were taken by Estery Dhliwayo

 

Agenda:

1.        Update on Zimbabwe Situation

2.        ROHR UK National Campaigns

3.        AOB 

Mr Vengai Mutsawu commenced the meeting at 1400hrs with salutations and introductions. Visiting members were asked to introduce themselves and their respective branches.

 

1. Update on Zimbabwe Situation

Panyika Karimanzira gave a rundown of current human rights violation cases in Zimbabwe.

 

Vengai Mutsawu started by giving an update on the current situation in Zimbabwe. The human rights situation continues to deteriorate; police brutality is on the rise. He gave an account of a recent case whereby the police in Harare stopped a bus carrying children, women and elderly passengers (it is still unclear why it was stopped) and throwing tear gas canisters into the bus with passengers onboard, resulting in the vulnerable passengers jumping out through the windows for their own safety. Seven police officers are reported to have been arrested after this incident.

 

Nontokozo Malaba Ncube spoke about the water situation in Bulawayo, which is a health hazard; the water is dirty and untreated. There are reports of deaths from waterborne diseases as a result. The situation is ongoing and there are fears of more people going to die as a result.

The new Health Minister who is also the Vice President of Zimbabwe is believed to be targeting human rights organisations who are protesting the appalling water and health situation.

 

Nicolate Gwati concurred. She went on to cite other water sanitation concerns in Harare and an increase in water borne diseases in the capital. She also mentioned the unlawful arrest ofstudent union activist Tafadzwa Ngadziore who was only released from prison after 30 days. She also mentioned the plight of children not receiving education due to teachers being on strike because of poor remuneration.

 

Delina Mutyambizi spoke about doctors who were humiliated by the Vice President cum Minister of Health and were made to apologise after going on strike for poor working conditions. She bemoaned the dilapidated state of the health sector. She also mentioned the students who went to protest at the Impala Car Rental following revelations that Impala Car Rental vehicles were being used in the abductions of human rights activists. The students are said to have been arrested following the demonstration. Members were tasked to look into the possibility of starting a campaign for the release of the students.

Vengai suggested that, as an organisation we need to put more effort in the ongoing mobilisation of resources to help those who cannot afford bail fees and legal representation.

There are so many violations of human rights, citizens are being deprived from freedom of even to travel. Terrence Manjengwa, a political activist was arrested, is still in prison and has been refused bail. Joana Mamombe is another example of mental health human rights violations, she was sent to maximum prison with no adequate treatment.

Action

The North branch is to look into raising funds to drill boreholes in Zimbabwe in support of water and sanitation programmes. This fundraising initiative will also help people in the UK who are struggling to make ends meet by providing food parcels and clothing. It was suggested that we can fundraise through social media and also by appealing directly to identified potential donors.

 

2. Campaigns

There is an ongoing campaign (#JusticeForTapiwaMakore) recently started by the Scotland branch that all members were urged to participate in until justice is served. Vongayi Mufara mentioned another child that was has been reported missing in Murehwa for a month. DNA results of another child who was murdered for ritual purposes are still pending.  It is believed that more of such rituals are happening in Zvishavane in particular in the rest of Zimbabwe in general.

Action

The North branch has been tasked to make a follow up of this case, report any updates and find more information on the ritual killings so that we can take further action, including initiatives to bring the cases to the limelight.  We need to find out what the government is doing about it and how this barbaric practice can be brought to an end.

 

ROHR Zimbabwe to write a letter to the Information Minister asking him to take steps to make sure the ritual killings are publicised.

 

Members were urged to promote the current ongoing ROHR Zimbabwe campaigns namely the #BlackHistoryMonth campaign, #MeetYourMP campaign etc., which aim to put pressure on the Zimbabwean Government to uphold human rights.  Scotland branch is doing very well with the campaigns and North branch has been encouraged to follow suit.

3. Any other Business

Members were reminded to update their subscriptions.

 

All agenda items and any other business having been exhausted, Vengai Mutsawu concluded the meeting and declared it closed at 1550hrs.

 

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

https://www.flickr.com/photos/rohr_zimbabwe__manchester/albums/72157716508920422

 

By: Information & Publicity Department

 

Celebrating Hopewell Chin'ono - by Delina Mutyambizi

 

Celebrating Itai Dzamara - by Nicolate Gwati

 

ROHR ZIMBABWE MAKES ANOTHER DONATION OF GROCERIES TOWARDS EPWORTH KIDS BREAKFAST INITIATIVE –21st OCTOBER 2020

22^nd October 2020

As the Covid-19 pandemic continues to unfold in Zimbabwe, the citizenry also continues to suffer. This is made worse by the corruption of the President of Zimbabwe, his family, other members of the ruling elite and the politically connected members of society. Zimbabweans are suffering the consequences of serious flaws in the management of the covid-19 pandemic with the government failing to cater for vulnerable groups which include

children, homeless people, the elderly and single mothers.

 

The failure by the government has begun to manifest itself in the form of a number of social ills. These include the recent spike in adolescent pregnancies.

ROHR Zimbabwe applauds the efforts of Caroline Bushu and Sandra Chikwama as they continue to work tirelessly feeding hundreds of children on a daily basis thereby averting starvation among children in the deprived neighbourhood of Epworth, Zimbabwe. 

 

Touched by the plight of children who are having to survive on food handouts and following a first donation to the kitchen on 4^th July2020, ROHR Zimbabwe pledged to continue fundraising for the Breakfast kitchen.  

 

On Wednesday 21^st October 2020 ROHR Zimbabwe made another donation of groceries to the Epworth Kids Breakfast initiative. 

This second donation was made possible courtesy of the collective efforts of the following individuals who contributed financially and in raised a total tof £295 which was then remitted to Zimbabwe and used to buy the much needed groceries.

The top fundraiser was ROHR Zimbabwe’s Scotland Branch Secretary- Alvina Chibhamu who raised and donated £140.  Other members of ROHR Zimbabwe who donated were Harriet Ndlovu- £20, Vongayi Mufara- £30, Lindah Chenyama- £10, Olivia Chamboko- £10, Abigail Wadzanayi Chidavayenzi- £40, Panyika Karimanzira- £10, Paradza Mapfumo- £20, Delina Mutyambizi- £10 and Lillian Nleya- £5.

These funds purchased, upon request; 5x cases of Sugar(100kgs), 3x boxes of Cooking oil (72Litres), 7 x Cases of Peanut Butter (375g x 84 bottles), 1 x pack Sunlight (750ml x 6)

ROHR Zimbabwe pledges to continue supporting and complimenting Caroline Bushu and Sandra Chikwama the two strong women who are the brains behind the Breakfast Kitchen initiative.

On a daily basis, they are currently using around 140kgs of mealie meal broken down as follows; -Around 40 kg in the morning, about 60 kg in the afternoon and 40 kg in the evening.  

Among other challenges, they are experiencing water shortages. They need water storage tanks and gas for cooking. The approaching rainy season also means a need for bigger shelter. They also need food containers to serve the ever-increasing numbers of children. ROHR Zimbabwe, therefore, urges the entire ROHR community as well as the UK general public to assist in this ongoing support for the Kid’s Breakfast initiative.

To make your donation, please contact any one of the ROHR Zimbabwe’s Scotland Branch or use the banking details found on www.rohr-zimbabwe.org 

 

To view pictures and videos taken at the second donation event of 21^st October 2020 please click on the following hyperlink;-

https://www.flickr.com/photos/rohr_zimbabwe__manchester/albums/72157716657267036

 

 

By Information & Publicity Department

ROHR Zimbabwe Human Rights Violations (HRV) Monitoring Committee Zoom meeting of Sunday 25th October 2020 - Report

28^th October 2020

The meeting started at 18:00 hrs

Attendance: - Lilian Nleya, Nicolate Gwati, Alvina Chibhamu, Karen Nhakaniso, Vongayi Mufara, Vengai  Mutsawu, Delina Mutyambizi

Nicolate Gwati chaired the meeting. She opened by welcoming everyone and commended everyone for their punctuality.  We had all been paired up and mandated to research human violations in Zimbabwe.  She started by suggesting if each pair could give at least 3 incidents of Human rights violations in their allocated period.

Vongayi Mufara and Alvina Chibhamu – They gave the feedback that the period leading to 31st July 2020  was volatile due to the planned protests and Covid-19 rules.

¾      Reported a host of Human rights violations including arrests, unlawful detention and arrests, denied bails, delayed bail outs, tortures (including the cases of Hopewell Chin’ono, Jacob Ngarivhume, Obert Masaraure etc)

¾      Three MDC members arrested protesting and charged (Ostensibly for Covid-19 Law transgressions).

¾      Constitutional amendments that would have eroded the freedom in the Judiciary system.

Karen Nhakaniso and Vengai Mutsawu - Reported a few incidents between 11^th August 2020 and 31^st August 2020. They are;-

¾      Job Sikhala was arrested and denied bail.

¾      MDC Alliance members arrested on 24^th August when they went to Court in solidarity with Job Sikhala.

¾      15 Villagers who were vendors and who attended an MDC alliance rally were arrested in Murehwa and for disrupting free flow of traffic (Ostensibly for Covid-19 Law transgressions).

Lilian Nleya and Shingirayi Kandi –   reported the following incidents; -

¾      Nhamo Five was arrested on 18^th of September ostensibly for insulting the President of Zimbabwe. He had complained about the $12 transport fare from Chitungwiza to Harare CBD being exorbitant. He had cited the mismanagement of the economy by Zanu-PF led government in general and President Emmerson Mnangagwa in particular as the main cause of the price hikes.

¾      3 Harare residence were unlawfully detained and remanded in custody for solidarity protest and for following MDC Alliance MP for Zengeza West Job Sikhala.

¾      Takudzwa Ngadziore (22), ZINASU President was arrested for protesting at Impala car rental following the use of their cars in cases of abductions of citizens by state agencies.

Nicolate Gwati and Nontokozo Malaba Ncube reported as follows; -

¾      Simasimpe Reeds Tshuma (25), a member of the Zimbabwe People Power Movement (ZPPM) was arrested and charged, allegedly for undermining the State after he was found in Dete asking residents to sign a petition calling for international intervention in the Zimbabwean crisis.

¾      Agnes Gurunhe (35) of Mucheke who is living with albinism was barred entry into the Pick n Pay Supermarket in Masvingo after she allegedly asked to wash her hands with soap instead of sanitizers that affect her skin.

¾      Hopely Residence in the south of Harare have been reduced to digging up wells near the Granville Graveyard so as to get drinking water.

Nicolate Gwati observed that citizens of other African countries (e.g. Nigeria and Ghana) have hyped up condemnation of human rights violations in their countries through sustained peaceful demonstrations. Youths from the Nigeria and Ghana have been in contact on Twitter to discuss the way forward regarding these violations. We can also get them and activists from other African countries to support our #ZimbabweanLivesMatter campaign and Human Rights Violations Dossier.

Delina Mutyambizi agreed that it was a good idea to collaborate with human rights organizations from other countries. She went on to suggest that ROHR Zimbabwe issues a statement regarding the #ENDSARS Campaign in support of the Nigerian Citizens against Human Rights Violations in Nigeria.

Alvina Chibhamu concurred with the idea to collaborate with human rights activists from other African countries in campaigns against human rights violations. She also gave feedback on the Scotland #ENDSARS campaign event which ROHR Scotland Branch members went to support.

Lilian Nleya suggested a sustained a daily routine of  monitoring  and recording of Human Rights violations in Zimbabwe so that we avoid a backlog?

Nikki- Suggested if we can have rotations with the current pairs in monitoring daily Human Rights Violations e.g. Lilian and Shingi records for December and the following month the next pair monitors HRV for that month.

Alvina suggested that if this can be done at an organizational level so that the workload can be shared. Each member will keep a tab of the violations and report on the monthly meetings.

Delina drew the committee’s attention to the case of Tapiwa Makore, the Murehwa 7-year-old boy who was murdered and dismembered for ritual purposes, allegedly by his uncle and their herd boy employee. She noted interesting feedback from members in Zimbabwe. She pointed out the possibility of this murder having been politically motivated as it is reportedly believed that Tapiwa Makore’s father is an MDC Alliance chairperson or executive in the area.  She urged  ROHR Zimbabwe to continue supporting the #JusticeForTapiwaMakore campaign, kick-started by ROHR Scotland branch.

She suggested we engage popular social media platforms e.g. Tilda Live, Sis Melly, Vuka Zimbabwe etc to have a video campaign featured on these platforms to highlight the Human Rights Abuses in Zimbabwe.

Further Action Points

¾      All research findings to be typed up and emailed  to Nicolate by Wednesday 28^th October 2020.

¾      Next meeting is scheduled for 01/11/2020 @6pm

¾      Information& Publicity Department to liaise with different social media platforms regarding #JusticeForTapiwaMakore Campaign.

Nicolate declared the meeting closed at 1900hrs after all agenda items were exhausted.

Celebrating Takudzwa Ngadziore - by Olivia Chamboko (#BlackHistoryMonth2020)

 

Celebrating Namatai Kwekweza - by Alvina Chibhamu (#BlackHistoryMonth2020)

 

Celebrating Beatrice Mtetwa - by Vongayi Mufara (#BlackHistoryMonth2020)

 

ROHR UK Chapter Branch Chairs & Secretaries Zoom meeting – Sunday 11.10.2020 Report

12^th October 2020

 

On Sunday 11^th October 2020, a meeting of the Chairpersons and Secretaries of ROHR Zimbabwe’s UK Chapter’s structures was held via Zoom. The meeting was chaired by National Chairperson, Nicolate Gwati.

Register of Attendance

Olivia Chamboko, Alvina Chibhamu, Nicolate Gwati, Nomagugu Sibanda, Delina Mutyambizi, Billie Nedie

No apologies were received from non-attending members.

Agenda

1. Non-attendance/participation at Branch level

2. Problems within ROHR

3. Solution

3. AOB

 

Meeting started at 17:00hrs

 

Nikki asked the chairs to suggest what to do for non-attending members

 

Scotland Branch

·       Olivia Chamboko cited problems with members not doing their duties, excuses being no experience sometimes, or short notice. She noted that some people seem to just want to collect information without participating and it is weighing heavily on the few members that had to carry the burden of making things work. She had raised the matter with the Board of Trustees and had been advised to remove any non-committed member from the Branch Committee provided she followed due process and that the Branch Executive Committee has passed a resolution to remove such members. Olivia stated that the Scotland Branch Executive Committee had held a meeting yesterday, 10^th October 2020 and had resolved, among other things, to give non-committed members a month’s notice to either pull up their  socks or be risk being stripped of their portfolios.

·        Alvina Chibhamu stated that they had raised this matter recurrently and that they had now reached the end of their tethers, hence the notice to non-committed members. Only a few people seemed to toil for the branch. The others seemed content with just piggybacking on the few despite everyone knowing what their role entails. Even when they have been fed with ideas, deadlines are still missed and they have to be chased up.

What has been working?

·         Alvina, Vongayi and Olivia are doing all the work and carrying the branch and this has become too taxing.

North Branch

Nicolate Gwati cited non activity from the North Branch for a while. Karen responded by saying they have revamped the committee but still face the same problems as before where only a handful of people do all the work. This is hugely discouraging as usually one person ends up taking up multiple roles to make the branch work.

There was need to address this as a (new) committee, but even when the meeting was called to try and re-strategize-only three people attended.

 

Midlands Branch

Nicolate also stated that members are also not active.  Only the same three people in the Branch Executive Committee tend to participate

Nomagugu Sibanda also noted that not many people seem committed.  Some give the excuse of having work commitments, others have given the pandemic as an excuse, some are experiencing digital poverty and cannot participate on zoom calls.

Recommendations sought from Board members with all their vast experience as the current situation is non-sustainable.

·        Delina commented this has been a long-standing attitude since she came on board in 2009. Sadly, the commitment we rely on is from a handful of willing members. This attitude extends to the wider Zimbabwe populace, Journalist Hopewell Chin’ono for instance complained that people literally wage a war, commenting only on social media about issues but not acted on the information.

·        Mr Nedie pointed out that turnout was high and huge when ROHR started as most people did not have documentation. However, the ‘2020 challenge’, stemmed from a “forensic interpretation” of the future of ROHR he did in 2009,where membership was predicted to dwindle and then revamped, which is where we are now.

·         Mr Nedie commended the Scotland branch for the work it is doing, together with other members who are still focused.

 

Challenges facing ROHR

We are perceived as an Asylum-seeking organisation and as such we struggle to attract membership from people with some form of right to remain.

§       We need  to address attitudinal challenges. We could start by engaging all Zimbabweans, especially old members, including British citizens as well as those without status. Mr Nedie bemoaned the apathy in the Zimbabwean diaspora in general when it came to standing up for human rights. He said that we need to take a leaf from west Africans who always unite for a common cause.

§        On that note, Nikki cited the #EndSARSmovement in Nigeria where its government is buckling due to mounted pressure from the whole country, they managed to rope in the international community through social media.

§        The Covid-19 pandemic issue has taken us backwards as there is no face to face contact. In some branches, members may have been demotivated by not seeing ROHR longstanding members, mostly board members coming to in support their branch meetings. Current restrictions have meant the non-appearance of familiar faces/ ROHR members in these branches.

 

Proposed way forward

§       We need ROHR foot soldiers on the ground in Zimbabwe-wearing ROHR t-shirts, being seen on television, radio, and social media to put ROHR on the map

§        Zimbabweans are not united, we need to change that narrative and have every member change the way we are seen in their own circles, in and outside of ROHR.

§        Delina commended Scotland and Midlands branches for their contributions towards the visibility of ROHR as a human rights organisation. Scotland Branch’s fundraising efforts in support of the Epworth kitchen in Zimbabwe through reaching out to the communities outside of Zimbabweans to solicit funds is commendable.  We need to be aware of what is happening around and continue to support initiatives that foster a change in attitude towards human rights and welfare issues of the Zimbabwean populace thereby enhancing the image of ROHR Zimbabwe as a human rights organization.

§       Alvina added that the Scotland Branch discussed Black History Month, in particular, the relevance of countless unsung heroes in Zimbabwe. She also suggested we market ROHR Zimbabwe beyond Zimbabwean circles and hope to collaborate with like-minded international human rights organizations.

§      Alvina suggested to take advantage of the pandemic situation and hold a National zoom meeting

§      Some members give the excuse of lack of training. Mr Nedie offered to mentor anyone who felt they needed help in performing their role.

§       Nicolate said we need to find a way of speaking to members. Take it to task to start calling members to try and re-engage them and map ways forward. Survey underway from the Executive Committee to try and bring people back to the fold from all the issues being raised by members

§       Delina spoke on the area of educating members as some do not understand their rights etc. Campaigns such as #MeetYourMP helped raise awareness. When approached, MPs are usually keen to know learn more about the human rights situation in Zimbabwe and tend to be very cooperative. A good example is when Alvina’s MP came to a Scotland Branch meeting to discuss the situation in Zimbabwe. This followed the meeting Alvina had with the MP. We need to keep on knocking on doors and keep making noise as ROHR. We should be nonpartisan so that we are in good position to challenge any office if they are in breach of human rights.

§       Mr Nedie suggested organising capacity building- education exercise about what it means to be a Human Rights Activists and all the questions surrounding, retraining of members, motivation, and other workshops for members. (Olivia asked if we could have the trainings on meetings)

AOB

Nicolate announced we will reconvene in 2 weeks. The date for the next meeting was set and announced as 18^thOctober 2020

With all agenda items having been exhausted, the meeting was declared closed by Nicolate Gwati at 1800hrs.

Alvina Chibhamu-Secretary of UK Chapter took minutes.

 

To see screenshots of the meeting please follow the link below; -

https://www.flickr.com/photos/rohr_zimbabwe__manchester/albums/72157716364044822

 

By Information & Publicity Department