THE REGIME IN HARARE AND ITS FOLLY

17^th November 2022

By Panyika Karimanzira

With its atrocious human rights record the fact that the Zimbabwean regime is actively seeking readmission into the Commonwealth of Nations is not only audacious but is also a sign of how out of touch it is with reality.

In common parlance we would say they have got balls indeed.

Who in their right mind would want to be associated with a state that murders and persecutes its citizens as brazenly as Zimbabwe does? Zimbabwe will remain a pariah state until the government starts respecting and upholding the rights of its citizens. Incontrovertible evidence of the regime’s atrocities abounds, thanks to social media and the digital era.

The human rights situation in Zimbabwe has changed for the worse from the time of Robert Mugabe’s rule. Opposition and civil society activists have been, and continue to be, subjected to physical and psychological abuse, including being tortured and killed, by state apparatus and ZANU-PF functionaries.

In the first week of August 2018, six peaceful protesters were shot dead by soldiers in the streets of Harare, Zimbabwe in broad daylight in the full glare of international media and elections observers.

Soldiers then went around from suburb to suburb in Harare, Bulawayo and other cities and towns beating up and maiming civilians suspected to be activists. In rural areas, ZANU-PF militia and the CIO were doing the same. Some activists were killed, some remain unaccounted for. Some activists were abducted tortured and then injected with unknown substances by state agents.                                 

In the week commencing Monday 14th January 2019, members of the Zimbabwe National Army, Central Intelligence Organization (CIO) operatives and ZANU-PF militia in Harare, Bulawayo and other locations in Zimbabwe used live ammunition to shoot unarmed civilian protesters.

This left at least seventeen people dead, more than 200 injured, thousands displaced and hundreds in hiding. Soldiers, state security operatives and ZANU-PF militia are reported to have thereafter gone around from suburb to suburb in Harare, Bulawayo and other cities and towns in Zimbabwe beating up and maiming civilians suspected to be activists. In rural areas, ZANU-PF militia and state security operatives (CIO) were doing the same.                               

It is also reported that at least 11 women reported having been raped by soldiers and suspected ZANU-PF Militia during this period. The number of those raped is likely to be much higher as some women would rather not report for fear of further persecution or due to social or personal considerations.                                                    

Another glaring example of the brutality of the current regime in Zimbabwe was the occurrence on Friday 16th August 2019, when members of the Zimbabwe Republic Police assisted by suspected ZANU-PF Militia dressed in Police uniform brutalized unarmed civilian Zimbabweans citizens during a peaceful demonstration in Harare, Zimbabwe. This left more than 100 injured.

There are hundreds other state sponsored atrocities that I could cite. Many of them involve abductions and torture.

An example was a case whereby on Wednesday 13^th May 2020 three female activists namely Joana Mamombe (Member of Parliament), Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova belonging to the opposition MDC Alliance were abducted and tortured by Zimbabwean state agents.

Yet another example of the brutality of the current regime in Zimbabwe is the murder of yet another activist in Zimbabwe, Moreblessing Ali, whose mutilated body was found in a well in Nyatsime, Chitungwiza on Saturday 11^th June 2022 following her enforced disappearance at the hands of well-known members of ZANU-PF, Pius Jamba and Simba Chisango on Tuesday 24^th May 2022.

The state is also notorious for persecuting journalists like Hopewell Chin’ono. It also persecutes and hounds other professionals like judges, lawyers, teachers, nurses and doctors. It does the same even with Parliamentarians – the ongoing incarceration of Job Sikhala who is part of The Nyatsime 16 (or is it 17?) is a case in point.

In all these cases, lawfare is the regime’s modus operandi. It arrests on spurious charges, incarcerates without trial for protracted periods and when it eventually releases someone on bail it attaches  onerous bail conditions that leave the person so encumbered, they cannot lead a normal life. The person will be required to appear in court for years on end. The case becomes an encumbrance on the individual’s life. Well known activists like Namatai Kwekweza are in this situation.

The President of Zimbabwe and senior ZANU-PF officials publicly boast about the Army, the Police, and the Judiciary being under their control.

The sad thing is this will not change soon because ZANU-PF cannot reform itself out of power. They fear ending up in jail once they no longer have control of state apparatus.

Should Zimbabwe be re-admitted into The Commonwealth of Nations?

No sane institution of the stature of the Commonwealth of Nations would admit a country led by rogues like Zimbabwe. The regime ought to reform first.

About the author:-  Panyika Anselm Karimanzira is a Zimbabwean human rights activist based in the United Kingdom. He is a Board member of and Spokesperson for Restoration of Human Rights (ROHR)Zimbabwe. He writes in his personal capacity in this instance. He can be contacted via email; - anselm.karimanzira@yahoo.ie

Is this the Zimbabwe Our Heroes and Heroines fought for? - By Nontokozo Malaba Ncube

From The 1964 Zidube farm Battle in Kezi & The 1966 Senoia Battle in Chinhoyi, though others may beg to differ, the muzzle of a gun sounded its arrival on our motherland, our great grandparents, grandparents, fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters sacrificed their lives to bring freedom and dignity for all Zimbabweans.

As we continue to celebrate the heroes living and the deceased, were their efforts and sacrifices worth the outcome?

We commemorate our brave heroes and heroines, that fought for a more just society, one without brutality, corruption, discrimination, prejudice, social classes, and racism. 

Upon reflection, in modern day Zimbabwe, such hopes, dreams and aspirations seem to be now in vain.

An independent nation whose people are in chains at the hands of their supposed guardians. Joshua Mgabuko Nkomo and many other are surely turning in their graves, for the sons and daughters of the gallant soil who now toil as slaves and servants under the oppressive black government who swore to protect and guard them. The heritage of the liberation struggle has been tarnished and forever tainted by those who were meant to give Zimbabweans a better life. 

The legacy of a greater nation has died through empty slogans, “Pasi Naningi” 

Empty sloganeering has been our death bed where all our dreams have been crucified.

Perhaps our heroes ignored the obvious signs shown by most Pan African leaders in their tendencies for dictatorship, believing that no one would enjoy in the suffering of fellow Africans but Alas!! Poverty, a captured justice system and a tottering economy seems to be the fruits of those that dare to speak out. 

The button sticks and riot gear has become mightier than the pen and the ballot. 

As we continue to celebrate Heroes’ Day let's ask ourselves, 

Is this the Zimbabwe our Heroes & Heroines fought for?

Hopefully the sun will rise again.

#RegisterToVoteZw

#ZanuPFMustGo #ZimbabweansLivesMatter

Author 

Nontokozo Malaba Ncube is a Human rights Activist based in the United Kingdom.  She is also the Vice Chairperson of North branch of ROHR Zimbabwe UK Chapter and a member of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC)

Comment on British Prime Minister’s resignation – by Panyika Karimanzira

 By Panyika Karimanzira

 Thursday 7^th July 2022

I wish our citizens and politicians in Zimbabwe could take a leaf from the recent developments in British politics which culminated in the resignation of Mr Boris Johnson from both being the leader of the ruling party, The Conservatives and the British Prime Minister today Thursday 7^th July 2022.

Mr Boris Johnson’s tenure was marked by scandals that included allegations of sleaze. Citizens on their part did not hesitate to point out instances of sleaze when they occurred and did not fear to criticise Boris Johnson and the government. They also punished the Conservative Party in recent by-elections.

Conservative Members of Parliament also criticised their leader both inside and outside Parliament and sometimes even voted with the opposition on motions that sought to keep the Prime Minister in check.

Some of them even voted for a motion of Vote of No Confidence in the Prime Minister which Mr Boris Johnson survived not so long ago.

Now members of Mr Boris Johnson’s Cabinet and Parliament resigned in large numbers in the last 2 days thereby making his tenure untenable and forcing him to resign.

That is how it should be in a democratic society. When Prime Ministers, Presidents, Ministers or other people holding positions of responsibility fail, they should resign. Ministers and Members of Parliament should also be willing to resign if they are not happy with the leadership in Government.

Nobody should masquerade as being entitled to rule forever or indispensable. There should be no sacred cow in our politics.

Here are links to videos in English, IsiNdebele and ChiShona on this matter by Panyika Karimanzira;-

Video in English
Video in IsiNdebele
Video in ChiShona

About the author and disclaimer:
Panyika Karimanzira a.k.a. Mandulo Pasichigare a.k.a. Shangoni WaHamisi is a Zimbabwean human rights activist based in the United Kingdom and is writing in his personal capacity in this instance. He can be contacted via email anselm.karimanzira@yahoo.ie

 

RESTORATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS (ROHR) ZIMBABWE STATEMENT ON THE MURDER OF MOREBLESSING ALI

Sunday 12^th June 2022

ROHR Zimbabwe condemns with utmost disdain the murder of yet another activist in Zimbabwe, Moreblessing Ali, whose mutilated body was found in a well in Nyatsime, Chitungwiza on Saturday 11^th June 2022 following her enforced disappearance at the hands of well-known members of ZANU-PF, Pius Jamba and Simba Chisango on Tuesday 24^th May 2022.

We call upon ZANU-PF and the government of Zimbabwe to stop sponsoring enforced disappearances, abductions, murder, and persecution of citizens who hold alternative views to those of ZANU-PF.

The constitution of Zimbabwe guarantees rights and freedoms of its citizens and residents. These include freedom of speech, demonstrations, association etc.. The State should uphold the rule of law and protect its citizens.

The African (Banjul) Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights and United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights also guarantee such rights and freedoms.

We call upon the President of ZANU-PF and Zimbabwe, Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa to change his murderous ways and to lead his Government to start to respect the rights of the citizens of Zimbabwe, uphold the rule of law and restore human rights in Zimbabwe.

We also call upon the SADC and AU to condemn ZANU-PF, the ruling party of Zimbabwe’s brazen waywardness and call the Zimbabwean government to order with regards to its apparent condoning of the abductions and enforced disappearances by not bringing to book any of the culprits of these heinous crimes over the years despite them being known.

We also call upon the UN, EU, US, UK and the international community at large to add their voices in the condemnation of ZANU-PF and Government of Zimbabwe for being the architects of enforced disappearances, abductions, murders and general persecution of citizens who hold opposing views to those of the ruling party in Zimbabwe.

End
By Information & Publicity Department

 

Mavis Harrison in Manchester at the “Week of action against the Hostile Environment” event.

The “Week of action against the Hostile Environment!” called by the Solidarity Knows No Border Network which, in Manchester comprises Right to Remain’s These Walls Must Fall Campaign, Greater Manchester Immigration Aid Unit (GMIAU), Women Seeking Asylum Together (WAST), Manchester No Borders and Safety4Sisters is running from 13^th – 19^th June 2022 in most cities and towns right across the UK.

It is taking place in a week where the first batch of asylum seekers in the UK were supposed to be flown to remote Rwanda as part of an opaque deal cut between the UK government  and that of Rwanda whereby the UK government would off-shore some of its asylum seekers to the African country for processing. If the affected asylum seekers’ applications are successful, they would not be returned to the UK but would be settled in Rwanda.

In Manchester, the Week of action against the Hostile Environment event is taking place on Saturday 18^th June 2022 from 1pm to 4pm at Methodist Central Hall, Oldham Street, Manchester M1 1JQ.

Speakers will be drawn from These Walls Must Fall Campaign, Greater Manchester Immigration Aid Unit (GMIAU), Women Seeking Asylum Together (WAST), Manchester No Borders and Safety4Sisters.

One of the key speakers at the Manchester event is local human rights campaigner, Mavis Harrison.

Mavis is a campaigner with These Walls Must Fall in Manchester, and a human rights activist with Restoration Of Human Rights (ROHR) Zimbabwe.  She is passionate about human rights, including those for women in Zimbabwe, and universally.

Also billed to speak at the event is Agnes Tanoh, a resolute fighter for human rights and social justice who, like Mavis also experienced detention and all the ills that go with the UK government’s deliberate hostile environment, first hand and has lived to tell the story.

By dint of fate Mavis Harrison and Agnes Tanoh met 10 years ago in Yarl's Wood detention centre, right at the official start of the UK government's "hostile environment". Ever since that day, Mavis has been campaigning for justice.

For ten long years, Mavis and Agnes have not given up the struggle. Last month, the two were reunited in Durham, at the national demonstration against the new Hassockfield/Derwentside detention centre for women.

After the event, Mavis said:
“It was an emotional day for me, meeting Agnes Tohah who was one of the speakers. I was detained with Agnes ten years ago in Yarl's Wood. To this day I have not healed and I am still seeking counselling. When I saw her, I remembered the trauma we both went through and ten years later we are here in Durham fighting for other women who are inside Hassockfield detention centre and many other detention centres. It is just inhumane and disgusting.”

The date of Mavis and Agnes meeting in Durham after ten years was 14^th May 2022.

In advance of the Week of action against the Hostile Environment gathering in Manchester scheduled for Saturday 18^th June 2022, Mavis had this message for people....”All it takes for injustice to prevail is for society to turn a blind eye to it. We need to unite and speak with one strong voice when injustice takes place. It should not matter whether one is directly affected by the injustice or not because all human beings are connected in one way or another”

Over the years Mavis has grown from strength to strength in her campaigning and activism. She has

shown unfathomable resilience in the face of all the challenges militating against her and remains resolute in fighting for other women even though she herself went through misfortune in Zimbabwe. her country of origin and here in the UK, her host country where she experienced the horrors of detention first hand. She has not allowed circumstances to define her or imprison her mind.

Her message to everyone who is having to endure injustice is to be strong and be the voice of the voiceless. She asks the British community to stand up in solidarity and fight for defenceless women whose feelings are ignored, disgraced and treated with zero dignity.

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

Bishop Magaya undersiege - By Olivia Chamboko

Bishop Magaya is under siege! He was arrested for praying for his country Zimbabwe. The police disrupted a prayer meeting and several participants were  force marched ordered into police vans and taken to Central police station with other 34 church leaders and congregants. They where taken in custody put in cells. Bishop Magaya was arrested for being part of a national prayer meeting against corruption. Bishop Magaya is a blind elderly cleric who loves God and loves his country and it’s people. This is how the rogue state has become paranoid.  The regime is feeling the pressure from all over and across borders! They are trying to silence the voices instead of paying attention to the voices of people and correct what is wrong in our country.

Author

Olivia Chamboko is a human rights Activist who lives in the UK. She is the Vice Chairperson of Scotland branch of Restoration of Human rights (ROHR) Zimbabwe  UK Chapter.  She can be contacted on 07491098279

FAREWELL MY BROTHER DR. ALEX MAGAISA BY NONTOKOZO MALABA NCUBE

Farewell my brother,  Dr Alex Magaisa 

Magaisa was a light that shined bright. All who were in the presence of this light were inspired to fight for the rule of law,  liberties, freedoms and rights of citizens. We are sinking in a deep darkness with heavily burdened hearts. It is indeed one of the darkest moments in the CCC (Citizens Coalition for Change) journey towards the redemption of a New Great  Zimbabwe. It’s  almost unimaginable to propel the citizens' revolution forward without one of its anchor, Alex. Though difficult, we will not yield, rather we will walk this journey knowing the fallen heroes, Dr Tsvangirai, Ita Dzamara, Patson Dzamara, Dewa Mavhinga and Dr Magaisa are forever a light upon the feet, cheering us onto a citizen centred country administration. Magaisa was noble and had a sharp analytic mind that understood all the facets of Zimbabwean politics. His writings and ideologies were a cry to better the lives for citizens of Zimbabwe. He was a true patriot and a brother of the revolutionary.

The darkness of this regime is thick and disempowering  but Magaisa was a light that rallied us to believe in good governance. He was a humble and saw himself as ordinary just like everyone else. In his humility, I will forever remember personal conversations I had with him that encouraged me to fight harder for my people Zimbabwe . May the spirit of this much loved hero anchor this boat to reach the shore of a citizen centred government. 

Journey well friend Msaigwa. UliLanga. The beautiful yellow ray that shined bright. 

By Nontokozo Malaba Ncube 

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 CCC. She is based in the United Kingdom and can be contacted by email on nmncube44408@gmail.com

Robert Kamanga of ROHR Zimbabwe calls for the release of abducted Moreblessing Ali

Saturday 4^th June 2022 

By Shangoni WaHamisi

As part of ROHR Zimbabwe’s campaign dubbed #BringbackMoreblessingAli, on Satrurday 4^th June 2022, Robert Kamanga, the Treasurer of the Midlands Branch of the UK Chapter of Restoration of Human Rights (ROHR) Zimbabwe, via this video , is calling for the release of Moreblessing Ali, a Zimbabwean political activist who was abducted by ZANU-PF members in the Nyatsime area of Chitungwiza on 24^th May 2022 and has never been seen since then, as at 4th June 2022. Robert Kamanga also says “ZANU-PF must go” because of the persecution of citizens who hold different political opinions from those of ZANU-PF.

This case is one of the latest in a fresh wave of State sponsored abductions and attempted abductions.

This case is one of the latest in a fresh wave of State sponsored abductions and attempted abductions.

In a case of attempted abduction only a few days ago on Friday 27^th May 2022there was an attempt to abduct Mduduzi Mathuthu, the Editor of ZimLive.com. He was lucky to have been away from home when  five men purporting to be Policemen, driving in an unmarked car, without registration number plates turned up looking for him.

The Zimbabwe government has got a history of state sponsored abductions, persecution, forced disappearances and murder of its critics, especially political and human rights activists as well as journalists. 

Most notable of these was the case of Paul Chizuze, a human rights activist who was abducted on 8^th February 2012 and Itai Dzamara, a journalist and pro-democracy activist who was abducted on 9^th March 2015. Both men have never been found since.

By Shangoni WaHamisi

About the author

Shangoni WaHamisi  is the pen name for Panyika Karimanzira a.k.a. Mandulo Pasichigare, a United Kingdom based Zimbabwean human rights activist who is a Board Member and Spokesperson for Restoration of Human Rights (ROHR) Zimbabwe. Mandulo Pasichigare can be contacted via email Shangoni.WaHamisi@yahoo.co.uk

ROHR Zimbabwe exhorts Zimbabweans to confront the Government over the abduction of Moreblessing Ali.

Thursday 2^nd June 2022

By Mandulo Pasichigare,

To mark the start of ROHR Zimbabwe’s campaign dubbed #BringbackMoreblessingAli, on Monday 30^th May 2022, Silvanos Mudzvova, a member of The Advocacy & Mentorship Team of Restoration ofHuman Rights (ROHR) Zimbabwe, via this video , exhorted Zimbabweans to pile pressure on the regime to release Moreblessing Ali, a political activist who was attacked, badly injured and bundled into a car at the shops in the Nyatsime area of Chitungwiza by ZANU-PF supporters on Tuesday 24^th May 2022 and has not been seen or heard from since then.

On Thursday 2^nd June 2022, Nontokozo Malaba Ncube, the Vice Chairperson of the North Branch of the UK Chapter of Restoration of Human Rights (ROHR) Zimbabwe followed up with a call for the release of Moreblessing Ali under the same campaign via another video .

This case is one of the latest in a fresh wave of State sponsored abductions and attempted abductions.

In a case of attempted abduction only a few days ago on Friday 27^th May 2022 there was an attempt to abduct Mduduzi Mathuthu, the Editor of ZimLive.com. He was lucky to have been away from home when  five men purporting to be Policemen, driving in an unmarked car, without registration number plates turned up looking for him.

The Zimbabwe government has got a history of state sponsored abductions, persecution, forced disappearances and murder of its critics, especially political and human rights activists as well as journalists.

Most notable of these was the case of Paul Chizuze, a human rights activist who was abducted on 8^th February 2012 and Itai Dzamara, a journalist and pro-democracy activist who was abducted on 9^th March 2015. Both men have never been found since.

By Mandulo Pasichigare

About the author
Mandulo Pasichigare is the pen name for Panyika Karimanzira a.k.a. Shangoni WaHamisi, a United Kingdom based Zimbabwean human rights activist who is a Board Member and Spokesperson for Restoration of Human Rights (ROHR) Zimbabwe. Mandulo Pasichigare can be contacted via email Mandulo.pasichigare@yahoo.ie .

ZIMBABWE NOT YET INDEPENDENT

18^th April 2022

By Alvina Chibhamu

Following the arduous 37 years Zimbabweans endured under the rule of Mugabe, they were hopeful of a new dispensation under the new President in 2017.

Since ED Mnangagwa took office in 2018, (do not hold your breath for this one as it’s no surprise) he has only implemented 5 out of 283 projects he pledged in the manifesto and his other policy pronouncements.

43 were commenced, 6 remain broken and 184 are still “in progress”.

Mnangagwa and his ZANU-PF government have underperformed and Zimbabwe has been plunged into further misery. Zimbabwe lands itself a fast leader in the “worst of everything”. 

It has one of the worst; inflation rates, human rights record & rule of law, corruption.

A captured judiciary system, a collapsed healthcare, transport and education system, all which are further crippling the future of Zimbabwe. Be the change you want to see.

There’s nothing to celebrate here, there is no such thing as an Independent Zimbabwe yet.

#RegisterToVoteZW

#WeAreNotIndependentZW

About the author;-

Alvina Chibhamu is a human rights activist and a member of Restoration of Human Rights (ROHR) Zimbabwe’s UK Chapter. She is based in the United Kingdom and can be contacted by email on alvina80@yahoo.com

 

Olivia Chamboko - #WeAreNotIndependent

18 April 2022

What is there to celebrate when Itai Dzamara is still missing 7 years later, and the perpetrators of his abduction have not yet been brought to justice?

What is there to celebrate when the soldiers who killed people in the streets of Harare on 1st August 2018 are still walking scot-free?

What is there to celebrate when the Zanu-PF thugs who killed Mboneni Ncube are not in prison? 

What independence when we have no freedom in our own country? What independence when we have no justice in our own country? What independence when we have no democracy in our own country? 

No Yet Uhuru 💔 🇿🇼 

They can have all the festivities they want but this land we call Zimbabwe is not yet free. Yes, we won independence from British colonial rule but we are still to be free from ZANU PF oppression.

The words of Father Zimbabwe Joshua Mqabuko Nyongolo Nkomo ring loudest on a day like this, he said "The hardest lesson of my life has come to me late. It is that a nation can win freedom without its people becoming free."

The fight for a genuinely independent Zimbabwe continues unabated.

 About the author;-

Olivia Chamboko is a human rights activist and a member of Restoration of Human Rights (ROHR) Zimbabwe’s UK Chapter. She is based in the United Kingdom and can be contacted by email on chambokoolivia@yahoo.co.uk

How dare you say "HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY ZIMBABWE"?

18^th April 2022

By Magadaline (Maggy) Moyo

When my sister Nomsa Tshuma witnessed the painful death of her husband, Elvis Nyathi, a fate she herself narrowly escaped, at the hands of rogue South Africans simply because he was a foreigner that supposedly took their job whilst there are no jobs in Zimbabwe. 

When we watched that Video of Elvis Nyathi being burnt alive to ashes by heartless South Africans simply because he had left Zimbabwe out of desperation. When lack of opportunities due to the dire economic situation caused by an uncaring and unprincipled government that pursues distractive policies and a narrow agenda that benefits only an elite few and their surrogates at the expense of the general citizenry forced him to seek a livelihood elsewhere.

Elvis Nyathi, like millions other Zimbabwean emigrants decided to take a job that most South Africans deemed demeaning because he knew the struggles back home. To him this was his Gold.

Now you are telling me “Happy #### 42yrs…”

How is my sister Nomsa Tshuma and her four children going to heal from the trauma of watching that Video of Elvis Nyathi being burnt alive to ashes in South Africa when in Zimbabwe we don't have such basics as just a simple running clinic with Paracetamol let alone mental health facilities?

42 Years of “independence” and Elvis's children are not attending school for lack of school fees. His eldest child wrote his O-Level exams but was denied his results simply because the family had not paid his school fees. Elvis Nyathi’s 14yr old child dropped out of school to herd cattle and the last-born could not attend school, both because the family could not afford school fees.

42 Years of pain and suffering!! 

42 Years of overcrowded prison walls of innocent people who speak against human rights atrocities!! 

42 Years of our youths turning to Crystal meth and other harmful substances to numb the pains of being orphans to HIV AIDS and other easily manageable health conditions and living in hopelessly dire poverty!!

42 Years of the pain experienced by oppressed women whose husbands are kidnapped and made to disappear in thin air by a rogue State because they dare speak out against the oppressive regime!!

 

42 Years of many children like Anna a.k.a Memory Machaya losing their lives during child birth because of forced marriages!!

 

42 Years of the pain of Gugurahundi victims who lost parents, brothers and sisters and even denied a memorial stone to console themselves and the pain they have felt after losing almost 20 000 people at the hands of specially trained army brigade!!

42 Years of seeing the likes of Marry Mubaiwa being dragged to before the Zanu-PF courts whilst on her death bed despite being someone who once was a partner of and has children with a Vice President!!

 

YOU SAID 42 YEARS? Do you fathom the pain felt by Sylvia Maphosa's children after their mother was killed by Zimbabwean army at age 52 whilst coming from work.

 

42 Years that include the pain of losing the likes of the Dzamara brothers, Itai and Patson who died fighting for a truly independent Zimbabwe!!

 

42 Years of dictatorship, 42 Years of tears of Zimbabwean children. 42 Years of being insulted as youth that we are not capable to lead Zimbabwe!!

About the author;-
Magadaline (Maggy) Moyo is a human rights activist and a member of Restoration of Human Rights (ROHR) Zimbabwe’s UK Chapter. She is also the Coordinator of These Walls Must Fall Campaign in Manchester and works with various grass root organisations fighting for social justice and promoting the welfare of the girl child in Southern Africa. She is based in the United Kingdom and can be contacted by email on nombuso430@gmail.com

Nontokozo Malaba Ncube - #WeAreNotIndependent

 18 April 2022

Zimbabwe has not tasted independence for 42 years.

As we salute comrades who sacrificed their lives to liberate Zimbabwe, today we cry the misery and despair of suffering and oppression under an authoritarian regime ZANUPF that has left many perishing in abject poverty amidst slave wages, poor medical care and zero employment.  Those who raise voices suffer arbitrary arrests, harassment and torture.

#WeAreNotIndependent 

#ZimbabweanLivesMatter

Written By

Nontokozo Malaba Ncube

ROHR Zimbabwe

 

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 CCC. She is based in the United Kingdom and can be contacted by email on nmncube44408@gmail.com

Vengai Mutsawu - #WeAreNotIndependentZW

18 April 2022

Zimbabwe turns 42years today 18April 2022, Zimbabweans are celebrating this so-called Independence Day. I find myself disoriented and struggling to understand what exactly there is to celebrate. What does it mean to be Independent?

The Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) has dominated politics since taking over power from colonial rule in 1980. ZANU-PF for the past 42 years has retained power through vote rigging and violent crackdown on political opposition parties, critical media, and other sources of dissent. Zimbabwe’s status declined from Partly Free to Not Free due to the ZANU-PF government intensifying persecution of opposition figures and civic activists. Despite President Emmerson Mnangagwa repeatedly voicing his commitments to human rights reforms, Zimbabwe remained highly intolerant of basic rights, peaceful dissent and freedom of expression.

 Several civic society activists, opposition political leaders and other critics of the government are being arrested, beaten or tortured for simply exercising their constitutional rights of holding the government to account for their actions through peaceful demonstrations.

Zimbabweans are not yet free, therefore it is meaningless to celebrate Independence’s Day. This is the reason why Zimbabweans are scattered all over the world, we are running away from the oppressive government of Emmerson Mnangagwa.

#WeAreNotIndependentZw

#ZanuPfMustGo

By Vengai Mutsawu

About the author

Vengai Mutsawu is a  Zimbabwean human rights activist and he is also the Branch Chairperson for the North Branch of the UK Chapter of ROHR Zimbabwe. He writes in his personal capacity in this instance. 

 

 

Sheilla Mironga #JusticeForMarryChiwenga Campaign

 16 April 2022

Every human being needs respect and the Zimbabwe government should protect women's rights. Mary Chiwenga is human like everybody else and has the basic right to be treated fairly, regardless of her personal issues. Women organisations and other human rights representatives' silence was immense towards the injustice of the Zimbabwean courts when she collapsed, crashed her head unfit to attend court, during the battle between the ex-husband Constantine Chiwenga in court on their children's custody case. She had suffered enough, Zanu PF is protecting Mary's ex-husband because of his high office position and power which shows signs of prejudice and unjust behaviour , manipulating the police and judiciary. 

I am encouraging  Zimbabwean women to come together to fight this injustice and the first lady of Zimbabwe should not be a partisan but a representative of every woman regardless of their status within our communities. The Zimbabwean government is portraying a good picture to the world that things are improving or evolving, yet those in higher rankings are abusing their supreme governing power. As a woman, a Zimbabwean citizen please take a moment and think about the mental state of Mary's children and their wellbeing, about how their mother is being subjected to negative comments being posted on a daily basis. How can the Zimbabwean justice system be biased towards the citizens it's supposed to protect.

 The Ministry of Justice Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Ziyambi Ziyambi attended the 49th session of Human Rights in March stating that the government is putting efforts to 'promote and protect the human rights for all our people'. Yet they do not follow the rule of law, high level of discrimination, protection of powerful members of government for example ex-husband of Mary Chiwenga. It is through public votes why they are in offices, instead ministers are serving personal interest at the expense of the ordinary person on the street. 

Mary Chiwenga life matter as a Zimbabwean, 

l stand in solidarity with women in fighting to eliminate physical, emotional and financial abuse happening in Zimbabwe. 

#JusticeForMarryChiwenga

About the author

Sheilla Mironga is a  Zimbabwean human rights activist and She is also the Organizing Secretary for the South Branch of the UK Chapter of ROHR Zimbabwe. She writes in her personal capacity in this instance.

ROHR ZIMBABWE AT THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MIKE CAMPBELL FOUNDATION IN LONDON – WEDNESDAY 30TH MARCH 2022

 31^st March 2022

Restoration of Human Rights (ROHR) Zimbabwe was represented at the 10^th Anniversary of the Mike Campbell Foundation event in London by Nontokozo Malaba Ncube and Magadaline (Maggy) Moyo, both members of ROHR Zimbabwe’s Information & Publicity sub-committee.

The event took place on Wednesday 30^th March 2022 from 7pm to 9pm at The Royal Geographical Society, 1 Kensington Gore, London SW7 2AR.

The Mike Campbell Foundation (MCF) fights for the restoration of the rule of law, justice, human rights and property rights for all in Zimbabwe.

The Keynote speaker at the event was none other than the evergreen Chief Felix Nhlanhlayamangwe Ndiweni.

Other speakers included Baroness Kate Hoey, a member of the first British Parliamentary delegation to Zimbabwe and was once the Chairperson of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Zimbabwe and Ben Freeth MBE, the Executive Director of the MCF’s projects in Zimbabwe, himself a victim of the violent takeover of white owned commercial farms and property in Zimbabwe in the early 2000s.

The ROHR Zimbabwe representatives, Nontokozo Malaba Ncube and Maggy Moyo used the occasion to interact and exchange ideas with Chief Felix Ndiweni, Baroness Kate Hoey and other individuals and organizations with vested interest in the affairs of Zimbabwe.

For some of the pictures taken at the event follow this link.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/rohr_zimbabwe__manchester/albums/72177720297982181

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

Years of teacher tears by Nontokozo Malaba Ncube

14 February 2022

Years of teacher tears

Over the years, the Zanu PF regime’s response to teachers’ grievances has been lip service from a place of lack of concern and a mere want to get the impoverished teachers back to work. Beginning of this year, we saw teachers facing brutality to hold them down from airing of their overdue and frequently overlooked yet very legitimate concerns.

We saw detention of the lawfully demonstrating 16 teachers. They appeared in court with feet chained as though there are criminals. The regime wished to send a message of terror to mute the voices of the hungry teachers. The teachers’ cry has been of hunger while doing their best to serve the nation’s education. A hungry teacher’s presence in the classroom is mediocre and mere fulfilment of duty.

On the 8th of February, the Permanent Secretary for Primary and Secondary Education , Mrs Thabela threatened the clearly incapacitated teachers, calling for their names to be submitted for terror and torture, but the ZINUSH refused. The government has been using the principle of divide and rule, causing boards like ZINUSH and ZIMTA to sell teachers out on their struggle, but this time ZINUSH refused and it remains for ZIMTA not to sell out the struggle.

In the desperation to let the wind blow over and not out of real concern, the president releases a mocking open letter proposing;

a) The current salary of 18 000 RTGS, a deduction of interbank rate equivalent of US$100 which will be paid to teachers in hard currency,

b) The reminder of the salary which is 6000 RTGS to be increased by 20%.

There was mention of US$175 to be given to teachers in hard currency, counting in the US$75 Covid-19 allowance which the government can withdraw at any moment.

In my summation, the remaining RTGS salary, with its increment sums up to US$30 using the black market rate which teachers will use to buy foreign currency in an economy that now prices everything in US dollars. The salary therefore is US$ 130 plus US$75 Covid-19 allowance. In Zimbabwe rainy season tomatoes are going for US$1 for four. The teachers’ March payment of US$205 buys 51 tomatoes.

The letter promises non-monetary incentives like fees for teacher’s children of 20 000 RTGS, money not enough for half the schools in the urban area, money not half of universities’ fees, money with no promise of revising the amount in a casino economy of inflation like Zimbabwe. There were promises of building teachers’ blocks and flats, this by a government that fails to make roads, and all roads in the nation are potholed. There were other flimsy promises like duty free

vehicles bought by teachers, as teachers who earn US$130 can ever be able to buy cars.

This is such an unprogressive dialogue that the government intends with the release of such a letter. It is mockery of the teachers by government officials whose single sit in the cabinet earns them allowances way more than a teacher’s whole month’s salary.

The teachers deserve more than US$540 which they have settled for in their demand. There’s need to restore their dignity and eradicate the poverty and shame they have endured in society for years and with no consolation. There’s need to redeem the education sector and the future of all Zimbabwean children which Zanu pf clearly does not care about, maybe because their children learn abroad at expensive institutions.

#SaveOurEducationZw

#ZimbabweanLivesMatter 

About the author;-

Nontokozo Malaba Ncube  is a UK based Zimbabwean human rights activist and Acting Chairperson of  Restoration of Human Rights (ROHR) Zimbabwe North Branch. Nontokozo Malaba Ncube can be contacted by email on nmncube44408@gmail.com

REPORT ON THE MEETING WITH UK LORDS AND MPS ON TUESDAY 11th JANUARY 2022

 15^th January 2022

On Tuesday 11^th January 2022 ROHR Zimbabwe was part of a delegation that met with a delegation of UK Lords and MP’s via the UK Lords’ MS Teams platform. This meeting was hosted by Lord Oates as Co-Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Zimbabwe, and it was set up to discuss the call for the Zimbabwean government to allow Zimbabweans in the diaspora to vote as well as the failures of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission.

The Lords & MP’s team comprised of Lord Oates (the Co-Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Zimbabwe), Lord Hayward, Lord Purvis of Tweed, Lord Wigley, Sir Peter Bottomley MP, Grahame Morris MP and Adam Bull.

The full Zimbabwean human rights delegation included Chief Felix Nhlanhlayamangwe Ndiweni, David Mpoko and Arnold Bhebhe representing MyRight2Vote, Panyika Karimanzira and Vongayi Mufara representing ROHR Zimbabwe and John Burke, Beverley Mutandiro and Moses Mbano representing ZHRO.

Following the meeting we got a mention in the House of Lords on 13th January 2022.
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/wrans/?id=2022-01-05.HL5134.h&p=24911
and the issues we raised were also discussed in the UK House of Commons.
https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2022-01-05/HL5134

We will continue to engage with and update the UK government on pertinent human rights issues.

Pictures of this meeting can be viewed here.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/rohr_zimbabwe__manchester/albums/72177720296333263

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