A Measure of Good Sense Required

At the Leeds Congress on 2 April 2011 the Minister of Home Affairs, Theresa Makone, spoke of her fear of the Zimbabwean Police as they intended to incarcerate her without cause. She reported that she had been in hiding in the run up to her UK trip and emphasized that Zimbabwe was not safe as yet.  Speaking on 7 June 2011 to the Irish Times just after a petrol bomb was thrown at his home Tendai Biti, Zimbabwe’s Minister of Finance, likened the situation in Zimbabwe to Rwanda on the eve of the genocide. On June 3, 2011 Bill Corcoran, reporting for the Irish times quoted impeccable sources reporting the re-establishment of notorious militia bases in Zimbabwe. In the run-up to the 2008 election, bases were used by the Mugabe regime as headquarters to intimidate, rape, torture, maim and in some instances kill those associated with the MDC. Bases also sprung up during operation “Operation Mavhoterapapi (How did you vote?)” a time when Zanu PF militias and war veterans assaulted, intimidated and withheld donated foodstuffs to people they believed did not vote for their Party. On 12 June 2011 the Daily Mail reported that a self-confessed torturer CIO Agent Phillip Machemedze had been accepting money from the CIO for his work in providing his masters on opposition activities in the United Kingdom as recently as April 2011. Speaking to the Daily Mail on 11 June 2011, Kate Hoey MP, who is chairperson of the All Party Group on Zimbabwe, called on the Home Office to arrest Machemedze, stating she knew of other “asylum seekers” in this country who are also suspected of maintaining links with the CIO. ‘Machemedze is clearly a dangerous man,’ she told the paper. To this date Machemedze remains in the United Kingdom with full refugee status.

On April 5 2011, the UK Border Agency published country guidance on Zimbabwe which insinuates that Zimbabwe is safe. This assessment was arrived at following a visit to Zimbabwe by a contingent sent to Harare in 2010 that purportedly stayed at plush hotels in the city centre and went on guided tours to a few areas of the country.

In June 2011 Brigadier-General Douglas Nyikayaramba proclaimed that those in the army were prepared to die to keep Mugabe in power while labelling Morgan Tsvangirai, the MDC leader, a national security threat. This speaks volumes of the armed forces intent to forsake the ballot result and maintain Mugabe’s hold on power through the use of violence.

It is well documented that Mugabe unleashes his dogs of war in the run up to any election. In the run-up to the 2008 election torture, murder and rape were his weapons of choice. The youth brigade (green bombers); war veterans and militias have been deployed across the breadth of the country in preparation for the much talked about elections. It is widely known that Zanu PF wants the elections to be held in December 2011 although early 2012 seems more likely.

With this terrifyingly tense environment in mind it boggles the mind that the UK government is resolute on deporting Zimbabweans. Forced removals have started and yet Zimbabwean newspapers are awash with stories of MDC activists in Zimbabwe, being arrested, molested and going into hiding. How can known activists critical of the regime who have been away from Zimbabwe for long periods return safely back to Zimbabwe. This move is treacherous and requires a serious re-think on the part of the British government lest they end up with blood on their hands. Zimbabwe will never be safe with Mugabe at the helm and with CIO operatives like Machemedze in our midst.

On the 1^st July 2011, fellow party cadre and renowned activist Josie Chari was taken to Bedfordshire detention facility. She was not permitted to take any personal items like medication or toiletries. Today she remains detained in a cell as if she were a criminal. Her crime you may ask? Denouncing the atrocities of Mugabe’s regime.  Josie is a valuable member of her community and a staunch member of the Movement for Democratic Change Southend-on-Sea Branch. She is much loved and admired because of her kind and gentle nature. Stanford Biti, the MDC Southend-On-Sea Branch Chairperson has called for an anti-deportation protest on 28 July 2011. The address is Southend-on-Sea Borough Council, Civic Centre, Victoria Avenue, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, SS2 6ER.   We are calling upon all Zimbabweans, friends and those who support the cause to converge on Southend and send a loud message to UKBA to release Josie and many others in detention and at the same time lobby for reconsideration of the position to deport Zimbabweans. The National coalition of Anti-Deportation Campaigns (NCADC) has supported this call to stop deportations to Zimbabwe.

As women of Southend-on-Sea branch we, implore the British government to reconsider their position. Not just for our comrade in the struggle against Mugabe, but for the other unfortunate souls that face deportation to a land where they will be treated with contempt at best or as enemies of the state.  A great Briton, Winston Churchill once said “Never give in, never give in, never; never; never; never - in nothing, great or small, large or petty - never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense”. I beseech the British Government to exercise good sense in this matter.

Audrey Charowa

MDC Southend 

Hausunde

MDC UK & Ireland 11th Anniversary 2011

Kindly be advised that MDC South East District will host the 11th anniversary of the part of excellence, on the sea side town of Southend On Sea. The MDC Southend On Sea fundraising committee are happy to announce that an upmarket venue for the celebrations has been secured.

Expect fireworks as preparations are at an advanced stage. Already we have secured a raffle price for bed and breakfast to be drawn on the day and to be used within 3months at a date of your choice. Apart from this Southend On Sea branch is proud of its hospitality and innovativeness in terms of fundraising and hosting party gatherings.

We call upon all members to diarise 24^th September 2011 and reserve it for this historic event. We will keep you updated.


South East District Council Meeting
Southend On Sea Fund Raising


24th September 2011


St Helen's Church
27 Milton Road
Westcliff-On-Sea
SS0 7JP

Sibangani Machingauta

Fundraising Committee

MDC Should Commemorate Not Celebrate Independence Day.

It was a bold decision taken by the MDC to boycott the burial of notorious and murderous CIO deputy director general Menard Livingstone Muzariri

Zimbabweans attending the independence celebrations should be well prepared for another vitriol of verbal abuse by the despot state President Robert Mugabe. The movement for democratic change must boycott such state functions as they have been monopolised and politicised by Zanu-PF. There is no reason of attending this year Zanu - PF organised Independence celebrations when the country' democratic space is continuously shrinking.

Honourable Thabitha Khumalo said the MDC cherished and respected Independence day commemorations, but have a huge political agenda problem. Zanu - PF dominates the proceedings and the uncouth language used over the years. “There is a world of difference between commemorating and celebrating an event”. People in the diaspora should draw a leaf from this. We are living in the comfort zone of the struggle when our brothers and sisters will be force marched by Zanu-PF thugs to attend such gatherings.

It will add insult to injury to celebrate on this day when our fellow members are being persecuted by the regime. We will send the wrong message to the international forum and will defeat the purpose the recently anti-violence demonstration held at the South African embassy in London

Stanford Biti

Chairman Southend On Sea

MDC Southend Hausunde

Disputed Election

Statement by Emily Tsungai Madamombe

Fellow Comrades, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all very much for turning out in large numbers and for exercising your right to vote and elect a leader of your informed choice. I would like to thank all the members who expressed confidence in me as a potential leader and voted for me for the position of Provincial Chairperson for the UK and Ireland External Assembly. I would like to say that your votes were sufficient for me to have been declared your dully elected Provincial Chairperson but as we all know by now, this was not the outcome that was announced by the presiding officer National Chairman Honourable Lovemore Moyo. Those of you who were present at the time of announcement which was well after midnight know that the result was contestable right away. I also immediately challenged the announcement because the laid down procedures for dealing with disputes and challenges that were read out to us by the National Chairman before the election were not followed.

Further Developments:

Since Saturday, I have received offers of positions. Ladies and gentlemen, let me tell you that I considered all those options. Yes, there was an option to accept any of those positions and pretend that the injustices you suffered through the outcome of the elections did not take place at all. I would like to inform you that after extensive consultations and in line with your aspirations as voters, I made the decision that the campaign we all led was not a personal one. It was one for justice, transparency, accountability and most importantly, for the restoration of order and confidence in our party. On my part fellow comrades, this is not about political expedience or about getting a position through whatever means. This is about true democracy, the founding principle of the MDC Party. I feel that I cannot not accept the offers as this betrays my strong belief in the values and principles of our party of Excellence and my loyalty to you all.

The Way Forward:

While acknowledging that in any election there will be winners and losers, for me it is about how one wins or loses an election. Yes there are good losers and bad losers too. What I want to stress here is that when an election result is being disputed, one has a right to express their dissatisfaction with the process. That expression of dissatisfaction should not simply be dismissed as the actions of a bad loser by those who may have got into the positions illegitimately, as was pre-emptively announced by the National Chairman. As a contestant I have now taken the initial step to seek justice for myself and the people who voted for me. I have lodged with the Secretary General’s Office a notice of my intention to challenge the outcome of the provincial chairperson result and I will follow the due processes. It follows that while this result is being challenged, I have respectfully requested that Mr Tonderai Samanyanga should not be allowed to assume the position and role of the chairperson of the UK and Ireland External Assembly pending a full investigation and a satisfactory resolution into the matter. At this stage I would like to appeal for your co-operation and support in our collective effort to put an end to the culture of producing outcomes at elections that harbour serious legitimacy questions. This has been the cause for disunity within the province for years now and we cannot allow that to happen every time we hold elections. I appeal to our national Leadership to practice what we demand from Zanu Pf with regards to how our elections are conducted both at home and in the Diaspora.

Once again, I am humbled by your support and dedication to the struggle for a New Zimbabwe. I will remain a servant of the people and together we shall march into the Promised Land, a Free Zimbabwe.

I thank you.

Emily Tsungai Madamombe

Provincial Chairperson Candidate

Dark Forces At Play But Light Prevails

Hon. Lovemore Moyo

In an historic turn of events MDC’s National Chairman Hon. Lovemore Moyo was re-elected Speaker of the House on 30 March 2011. Hon. Lovemore Moyo had 105 votes, defeating Robert Mugabe's ZANU PF candidate who received only 93 votes.
  
It bears special mention that the election of Mr Moyo in 2008 was nullified by the Supreme Court three weeks ago after a Zanu-PF official complained that the vote had been "disorderly". What is astounding here comrades is that there was one spoilt ballot which means that 3 Zanu-PF MPs voted for the MDC candidate. These Zanu-PF MPs have decided to be found on the right side of history. The BBC reports that “Hours before the vote, five MDC MPs said they had received bribes of US$5,000 (£3,000) each from a senior Zanu-PF official.” The 5 honourable MDC MPs even paraded the blood money at a press conference held in the capital Harare. If Mugabe’s henchmen thought £3000 was enough to buy democracy they were sorely mistaken.

As we go to Congress in Leeds this Saturday may we be strengthened in our resolve to flush corruption down the toilet where it belongs. I would like to take this opportunity to salute the 5 MPs that refused to take blood money. You did us proud guys. I’m sure all MDC Party Cadres join me in congratulating Hon. Lovemore Moyo on this great victory! Dark forces tried to undermine democracy but the light prevailed.

Audrey Charowa

Vice Secretary

South East District

Women's Assembly

All Roads Lead To Leeds

Leeds - MDC Congress 2nd April 2011

The Movement for Democratic change congress is definitely on this Saturday. The city of Leeds will host the MDC UK & Ireland 5th congress. All MDC members will converge to exercise their constitutional right and vote for new Leadership which will steer us to the new MDC government in Zimbabwe.

South East district will travel as one family. The bus will depart from Westcliffe Train Station SS0 7SB at 0545hrs on Saturday the 2nd April arriving in Leeds just before midday. The bus will only stop at Upminster Train Station at 0630hrs RM14 2TD. All travelling members are required to be at the pickup points at least 15 minutes earlier. We will adhere to the strict timetable to minimise on extra charges. 

The district has a looming bill 0f £1300 incurred on the cancelled congress.

Charles Dliwayo

Organising Secretary

MDC Southend Hausunde

Democracy Is No Spectator Sport - Be An Active Participant

Leeds - MDC Congress 2nd April 2011

Remember fellow activists, our struggle is to fight to preserve, protect and defend the things we value-(human rights, democracy, rule of law, freedom of speech, freedom of association to mention but a few).     

I honestly believe that true and meaningful democratic change in Zimbabwe can only be attained through passionate political activism (Tunisia and Egypt are recent examples).

To me political activism is much more than turning out on voting day and ticking a ballot sheet. That is far too passive and ineffective, and will NEVER be enough to halt the current deterioration of human rights and blatant contempt of rule of law in Zimbabwe.

Instead, to become a bona fide activist, we have to do much more: we have to have such a burning desire to make a difference that we are willing to embody the solution in ourselves, without only resorting to the all too easy recourse of vilifying politicians and/or governments (although it is important to first identify the problem step in trying to find a solution). To embody the solution takes courage, commitment and a deep understanding of how effective people power can be and what we can achieve as a group of steadfast political activists. None (not even Zuma, Mbeki, SADC, EU or whoever), but ourselves can delivery us from this quagmire that Mugabe and Zanu PF led us into.

To illustrate my point of active participation I will share with you a folk story about one famous village hunter called Mutsvuku, which I came cross among many of  Alex Magaisa's political commentaries.

According to this story, years gone by, men would often go on short hunting expeditions, relying on hounds, to chase and capture prey. The loyal hounds would often return with prey after capture and would be duly rewarded.

But during a particularly hard season, the hounds’ behaviour changed. They decided to satisfy their own interest first, which meant often, the hunters returned to the village empty-handed.

Until, that is, a certain fellow decided to take the hounds at their own game. This fellow, affectionately known as Mutsvuku, on account of his light hue, decided that, since the hounds could not be trusted and left to their own devices, he had to do something about it. He decided that it was best to run alongside them. Mutsvuku was so fast, sometimes, he even outpaced the hounds. That ensured that he would always be on hand to retrieve the prey upon capture.

Sometimes, I can’t help thinking that we Zimbabweans have placed too much reliance on hounds to do the chasing of freedom and democracy on our behalf.

You have to look at the character of the hounds upon which we have entrusted our future to see the problem that we currently face in Zimbabwe. Be like Mutsvuku and take responsibility by being an active participant as opposed to being a spectator. Democracy is no spectator sport…be actively involved. Let’s all be in Leeds on 2 April 2011 for the congress.

Together we can make a positive change.

Garikayi Gombera

MDC Southend Hausunde

Branch Meeting | Mai Susan Tsvangirayi Memorial Service | 27th March 2011

MDC Southend will hold and host a memorial service for the Late Mai Susan Morgan Tsvangirayi.Mai Susan Tsvangirayi died in a suspicious car accident on the 6th of March 2009.It will be two years to date.

I am calling on all members of the MDC to join our branch commemorate the sad lose of our gallant mother.We will have our branch meeting as usual at 268 Sutton Road, Southend-On-Sea, SS2 5ET at 1645hours then followed by the memorial services.

I will also remind you that all is set for the congress in Leeds on the 2nd of April. I will all keep you updated.

Charles Dliwayo

Organising Secretary

MDC Southend Hausunde

Violence & Deportation Demonstration 21.03.11

Fed up of the turbulent political situation in Zimbabwe, hordes of anti-government demonstrators today gathered at the South African High Commission in central London to protest against President Robert Mugabe’s continued iron fisted rule.

In a petition addressed to the South African President Jacob Zuma, the protestors demanded;

1.      “That the violence perpetrated by ZANU PF against the opposition stops,

2.      That the Global Political Agreement be implemented in full,

3.      That the constitutional process is completed and,

4.      That the voters roll is overhauled under the oversight of an independent commission.”

As the South African High Commission was closed today due to the demonstration, the signed petition will be presented to the ambassador on Tuesday 22^nd, 2011.

Last month has seen a “renewed sense of siege mood in the country, arbitrary arrests, crackdown on democratic forces and the culture of impunity." A group of academics were arrested and thrown in jail for watching videos of the uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia and six of them including Munyaradzi Gwisai, were slapped with a treason charge which carries a death penalty. 

Another petition was sent to Mozambican President Armando Guebuza, the current chair of the SADC protocol on Politics, Defence and Security, imploring him to take President Mugabe to task and ensure, with immediate effect, an end to“…attack on the leadership of MDC and Human Rights activists… and the immediate withdrawal of all security forces from the communal areas.”

    

The third petition was a request to the Hon. Damien Green, Minister of Immigration to “defer deportations” citing intensified harassment of MDC supporters and members by the brutal regime of President Robert Mugabe. The document asks the minister to “directly engage with the leadership of legitimate …opposition parties based in the UK & Ireland in a bid to establish the correct political situation currently prevailing” in Zimbabwe.

Emily Madamombe, the Provincial Chair nominee, vehemently urged the protestors to say “NO” to the deportations. She noted the UK government’s lack of consultation of Zimbabwean nationals in the UK & Ireland prior to endorsing the decision to resume deportations and the failing GPA and SADC.

Otilia Chiwashira, Interim Chair for Women’s Assembly reminded the protesters not to concede to defeat easily. “Revolution is a process”, she said. “We have been here before (SA High Commission), and we will continue to come here until change is effected in Zimbabwe”.

The MDC UK’s Interim Organising Secretary Jeff Sango said: “We realise that the situation in Zimbabwe is not getting any better. We thought the government of national unity was going to change things, but we see an escalation where Mugabe and ZANU PF are very keen on not having a proper road map and free and fair elections in Zimbabwe.”

Joao Ernesto Matandirani
Branch Secretary
MDC Southend Hausunde

Letter From Tawanda Chiwira

Cadres of the MDC UK&I Youth Assembly SE District, Youth Assembly and membership of MDC UK & Ireland

I hope I find you well.  My name is Tawanda Chiwira and I am the South East District Youth Chairman and a member of MDC Southend.  The past couple of weeks have been hectic in preparation for Congress.  Mr Matambanadzo (District Chair) and his Interim team (at the time) performed a commendable job in establishing and reestablishing the branches in our district.  The main, women’s and youth district executive structures were constituted on 26 February 2011, hosted by South East London branch. I thank everybody who helped facilitate the success of this occasion either by attendance, contributory, financial or other means.

The youth executive was elected as follows

Chairman	Tawanda Chiwira
Vice Chairman	Mandlenkosi Ncube
Secretary	Nomagugu Ndiweni
Vice Secretary	Vimbai Ngurama
Treasurer	TBA
Organising Secretary	Crispen Zawayira
Vice Organising Secretary	Qinisela Moyo

Today's protest is an important stage in our well documented activity and is such a huge happenstance in that it is not just for fellow MDC members but for all Zimbabweans who are affected by the well documented increase in violence and oppression.  

I further commend Linah Mtambanuki, recently elected Southend youth chair in her mobilisation efforts for her branch. I also take further pleasure in announcing that fellow Southend youth member, Mandlenkosi Ncube, deputises me in the role of Chair of the South East district. These are big shoes to fill and so far you have shown you are up to the task. I would like to also make special mention to Angelbert Munjanja, Southend committee member with his handy camera work and timeless hours labouring in front of a computer screen to make sure that this blog is regularly and constantly updated in a way that is consistent with the high standards that we come to expect of MDC Southend.

SEE YOU AT TODAY'S PROTEST

ZIMBABWE EMBASSY 12 NOON

CHINJA!

Tawanda Chiwira

MDC UK&I South East District Youth Chair

MDC Southend Hausunde

MDC DEMONSTRATIONS IN LONDON

Tomorrow, Monday 21st March 2011, we will have mother of all demonstrations in London. MDC South East District will lead this demonstration. All members of the MDC in the United Kingdom and all Zimbabweans are being encouraged to attend Zimbabwean Embassy at 1200 noon.We will stand against Robert Mugabe's brutality in Zimbabwe. The unnecessary arrests of  MDC party members and failure to respect the constitutes of the (GNU) Government of  National Unit.

We will also push for the Host nation to realise that Zimbabwe is a war zone. We are actually in a worse situation than Libya. As the district Women Organising Secretary I challenge all women to brace this day. Women are the vanguard of any revolution and I hope you will all come. I also urge the youth to attend and be counted on this Historic moment. The hour has come. 

Hlengwa Helen Mahlangu

South East District Women Organising Secretary

MDC Southend Hausunde

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF SOUTHEND-ON-SEA

I strongly sympathise with Honourable Mangoma’s family, The Movement for democratic change at large, our party leadership and all members with the worrying developments in Zimbabwe.

I believe we are a progressive party, a party of excellence and we chose to take this unpredictable and difficult desert journey and we are committed to it. The party has experienced a lot more than this. The party has seen the arrest and subsequent deaths of the likes of Learnmore Jongwe, Tonderai Ndira, the death of our gallant Mother Mai Morgan Susan Tsvangirayi just to mention a few. Our minds are still fresh from genocide of the 2008 general election and we have thousands of people languishing in remand prisons.

President Morgan Tsvangirayi has predicated another violent election this year showing that the party should have a strategic plan for this. It is not acceptable in any modern democracy to cancel the MDC UK and Ireland congress at such a short notice. We went to bed with the devil and these are the things which the party should have prepared for. We knew chairman Moyo's court date and contingency plans should have been in place .Worse it’s a civil matter and has no reporting conditions at the notorious Law and order section or Highlands police station. The party has a department which is responsible for external structures.

I hope the party has considered all the financial obligations we have entered as branches. Most importantly our party image to the international forum. I cannot imagine any serious political party to postpone such a significant and historic event for the same reasons. To me it’s just a lame excuse. We are a government in waiting. We are not a grasshopper which its life ends when it looses its legs. We should prove our difference with Zanu PF, with no Robert Mugabe there is no Zanu pf.

I was personally anticipating this. Our party integrity needs to be questioned. Honestly how was Chairman Moyo going to engage with United kingdom province without making public the long awaited' Sipepa Nkomo report’. Worse still most of his travelling contingents were implicated in the UK financial saga. I can liken this to throwing the chairman in a Lion's den. As a party we should learn from events. I wonder how the Chairman was going to handle the angry members when our very own President failed in London. Is chairman Moyo the sacrificial lamb? 

The problems we are facing as a party in the United Kingdom can only be solved when Sipepa Nkomo recommendations are considered and a contingent or a unison plan has been put by National organising secretary, Treasury, external affairs department and strict adherence to the part constitution and code of conduct. It should also not fall short of a visit by a strong contingent of senior elected party members who have an obligation to the constituency.  

Chinja Maitiro 

Stanford Biti

Chairman Southend On Sea

MDC Southend Hausunde

UK and Ireland Congress Postponed

PRESS RELEASE

Due to some worrying political developments in Zimbabwe, our leadership has resolved to postpone the holding of the MDC-UK & Ireland Provincial congress, which was scheduled for the 12^th March 2011, to a later date to be announced.

The Secretary General of our party will be issuing a communication on the above issue soon. The UK & Ireland Leadership is in consultation with its structures on a way forward given this latest development.

Tonderai Samanyanga

Interim Chair

MDC UK & Ireland External Assembly

SOURCE: MDC UK & IRELAND WEBSITE