Zimbabwe Vigil Diary 2nd May 2026

https://www.flickr.com/photos/zimbabwevigil/55246623101/sizes/m/

Thanks to those who came today: Munashe Madziyauswa, Samantha Pfupajena and Ephraim Tapa. Photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/zimbabwevigil/albums/72177720333445446/.

Meanwhile, there is growing consternation amid the ongoing public consultations on the 2013 Constitutional amendment number 3.

Questions have been raised as to 1) why dissecting voices were apparently silenced; 2) why militia would be deployed at consultation venues to monitor access; 3) why certain prominent individuals from the civil society were not allowed to make their contributions: 4) why perceived opponents would be seen being manhandled, assaulted or barred from consultation centres: and 5) why Jossie Majome, chair of the Zimbabwe Human Rights commission, would be hastily removed from her position after raising concerns with the consultation process in her report. The list goes on.

Clearly this was a parliamentary-led process, whereby most opposition Members of Parliament were deployed far away from their own constituencies, compared to ZANU PF MPs who were largely in their constituencies. This must have been a way of silencing any dissenting voices from Parliament.

But even if some MPs opposed the proposals, they would still be compromised as they also stood to benefit from any term extension. Basically, the expectation of the whole consultation was for MPs to report back stating their constituencies had agreed with the proposed amendments.

To achieve this, they had to silence those who opposed if they made it into the venue by any means or bar them from the venues altogether. Such a result would see Parliament adopting the amendments, and avoid a referendum in the process.

This then becomes the genesis of all the controversies surrounding the consultation. Clearly, both the executive and legislature have no business butchering the 2013 Constitution for their benefit.

The only legal route for the proposed amendments is by way of a referendum and ZANU PF has nothing to fear, given their claims that the people are in agreement.

The Zimbabwe Vigil vigorously calls for a referendum: the constitution is by the people and for the people!

For Vigil pictures check: http://www.flickr.com/photos/zimbabwevigil/. Please note: Vigil photos can only be downloaded from our Flickr website.

Events and Notices: 

• Next Vigil meeting outside the Zimbabwe Embassy. Saturday 16^th May from 2 – 5 pm. We meet on the first and third Saturdays of every month. On other Saturdays the virtual Vigil will run.
• ROHR Fundraising Walk. Saturday 30^th May. ROHR UK chapter will embark on a 13-mile sponsored walk, starting at Leytonstone at 9 am and ending at the Vigil. The walk is in defence of the existing Zimbabwean constitution..
• The Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe (ROHR) is the Vigil’s partner organisation based in Zimbabwe. ROHR grew out of the need for the Vigil to have an organisation on the ground in Zimbabwe which reflected the Vigil’s mission statement in a practical way. ROHR in the UK actively fundraises through membership subscriptions, events, sales etc to support the activities of ROHR in Zimbabwe.
• The Vigil’s book ‘Zimbabwe Emergency’ is based on our weekly diaries. It records how events in Zimbabwe have unfolded as seen by the diaspora in the UK. It chronicles the economic disintegration, violence, growing oppression and political manoeuvring – and the tragic human cost involved. It is available at the Vigil. All proceeds go to the Vigil and our sister organisation the Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe’s work in Zimbabwe. The book is also available from Amazon.
• Facebook pages:   
• Vigil : https ://www.facebook.com/zimbabwevigil
• ROHR: https://www.facebook.com/Restoration-of-Human-Rights-ROHR-Zimbabwe-International-370825706588551/
• ZAF: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Zimbabwe-Action-Forum-ZAF/490257051027515

The Vigil, outside the Zimbabwe Embassy, 429 Strand, London meets regularly on Saturdays from 14.00 to 17.00 to protest against gross violations of human rights in Zimbabwe. The Vigil which started in October 2002 will continue until internationally-monitored, free and fair elections are held in Zimbabwe.