Zimbabwe Vigil Diary 15th August 2026
Once again Vigil activists met outside the Zimbabwe Embassy in London to continue our protest against the human rights abuse and lack of democracy in Zimbabwe perpetrated by ZANU PF, the ruling regime.
Black News 
https://www.flickr.com/photos/
Thanks to those who came today: Elisha Chifamba, Jonathan Kariwo, Patricia Masamba, Tatenda Nyakudziwanza and Ephraim Tapa. Photos: https://www.flickr.
Nick Mangwana, calls for patience, and adds ‘Let the facts speak when they are ready’.
We also heard Kariba local MP, Ruth Chari, rushing in to suggest this tragedy was a natural disaster and not anything to do with the failures of Government/DDF. Why rushing to rule out any other causes so early before the investigation?
But there are things that we now know already, all of which point to Government negligence and incompetence.
Fact: this was a government owned and run DDF ferry. They had responsibility to ensure the ferry was still fit for purpose.
Fact: according to the MP, the ferry had been in use for decades and the captain was highly-experienced but was it not time to have replaced the ferry with something more adept and capable.
Fact: one of the engines failed, as the ferry started sinking from the failed engine side. Could this be a sign of aging or poor engine care.
Fact: we also know from survivors that staff were warned against the unusual high tidal waves but that this was ignored. Staff arrogance?
Fact: We now know that almost 100 passengers perished in this disaster. Had these warnings been heeded, it is anybody’s guess this tragedy could have been avoided.
There are so many knowns, enough to enable one to form an opinion and hence, it is improper for Government to disavow or try to throw this tragedy in the long grass and wish it away.
We know for a fact from numerous government-initiated inquiries, that this ZANUPF government will not take responsibility but rather feed the nation with the usual trash.
Justice to the Kariba Dam victims now!!!
For Vigil pictures check: http://www.flickr.com/
Events and Notices:
- Next Vigil meeting outside the Zimbabwe Embassy. Saturday 5th September from 2 – 5 pm. We meet on the first and third Saturdays of every month. On other Saturdays the virtual Vigil will run.
- 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/
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.
