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From: as on 17 Jan 2010 19:46
Zimbabwe Vigil Diary � 16th January 2010

Vigil supporters were dismayed at President Zuma�s comments on the
deadlock in Zimbabwe and agreed to revive our petition to the
international football federation to move the soccer World Cup from South
Africa.

The petition had been signed by thousands of passers-by before we
suspended it when we believed Zuma was prepared to take action to enforce
the South African-negotiated Global Political Agreement. We decided to
�unpark� the petition now in light of Zuma�s cynical suggestion that the
MDC should simply accept that Mugabe would not implement the agreement he
signed 16 months ago. Zuma said the MDC should �park� the issues in
contention.

Vigil supporters wonder how you can �park� issues like law and order
(Tomano) and institutionalised corruption (Gono). Why is the MDC, which
won the 2008 elections, always expected to make concessions? Why doesn�t
Zuma suggest that Mugabe �park� his greed and monomania and do what he
promised? In other words, how can there be free and fair elections if
Mugabe flouts the spirit of the GPA, flawed as it is?

The Vigil believes that, by not addressing the human rights issues in
Zimbabwe, Zuma is putting the whole region in danger. He needs to take
another shower.

The tragic violence accompanying the Africa Cup of Nations in Angola
should be a warning to FIFA that the World Cup teams and their supporters
could be at risk in South Africa, especially with the renewed xenophobic
assaults there on Zimbabwean refugees who continue to head south for help.

Other points

� A quick survey revealed that none of us has been recalled to Zimbabwe to
join the donor-funded constitutional consultation gravy train. It appears
that one official has urgently recalled 5 of his children from South
Africa to take part in the US$70 per day exercise.

� Zimbabwe is continuing to keep bad company. A leading article in the
Times on 14th January compared Haiti after the earthquake to Zimbabwe:
�What was once regarded as the jewel of the French Empire now more closely
resembles Robert Mugabe�s Zimbabwe�. Another depressing comment on the
reputation of Zimbabwe came from the head of Somalia's central bank who
warned that his country could �descend into another Zimbabwe if plans to
print money went ahead�.

� There was an interview with the Vigil on SW Radio about our petition to
the British parliamentary committee discussing aid to Zimbabwe, check:
http://www.swradioafrica.com/news110110/ukurged110110.htm and newsreel
broadcast on Monday, 11th January.

� After last week�s snow we were amazingly lucky today. It rained steadily
in London till we gathered at 2 pm and was basically dry throughout our
whole Vigil.

� Great to have the front desk stewards back again � Gladys Mapanda,
Josephine Zhuga, Sue Toft and June Pedzeni. Also thanks to Godfrey
Madzunga who was there at the start to help set up the Vigil and man the
back table.

For latest Vigil pictures check:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/zimbabwevigil/.

FOR THE RECORD: 167 signed the register.

EVENTS AND NOTICES:

� 'Mugabe and the white African' is showing until 21st January at the ICA
(www.ica.org.uk). On Friday 22nd January at 6.30 pm there will be a
question and answer session with Lucy Bailey, the director of the film, at
the Tricycle Cinema, 269 Kilburn High Road, London NW6 7JR. For tickets
call the Box Office: 020 7328 1000.

� ROHR Leeds general meeting. Saturday 23rd January from 1.30 � 4 pm.
Venue: Dock Green Inn, Leeds LS9 7AB. Contact: Wonder M Mubaiwa
07958758568, Donna Mugoni (Chair Wakefield), 07748828913, Prosper
Mudamvanji 07846621050, Beauty Sikosana 07940181761 or David Munemo
07963708923.

� ROHR Liverpool demonstration. Saturday 23rd January from 2 � 5 pm.
Venue: Church Street (Outside Primark) Liverpool city centre. Future
demonstrations on Saturdays 6th and 20th February. Same venue and time.
Contact: Desire Chimuka 07917733711, Anywhere Mungoyo 07939913688, Patrick
Kushonga 07900857605, Trywell Migeri 07956083758.

� ROHR Birmingham general meeting. Saturday 23rd January from 1.30 � 4.00
pm. Venue: Bishop Latimer Church,28 Handsworth New Road, Birmingham B18
4PT. Contact: Tsitsi Mavhura 07723096508,Audrey Marere 07788797365,Morgan
Mupandawana 07833526198.

� ROHR Swansea general meeting. 30th January 1 � 4 pm. Venue: tba.
Contact: Kudzai Ruzvidzo 07824967317 or Phillip Mpukutsa 07999615868.
Future meeting on Saturday 27th February.


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