Zimbabwe Vigil Diary 17th October 2026

https://www.flickr.com/photos/zimbabwevigil/55598984896/sizes/m/

A special thank you to Tatenda Tsumba who brought the Vigil table, register, banners and posters. Thanks also to the others who came today: Blessing Harry, Jonathan Kariwo, Philip Maponga, Tatenda Nyakudziwanza, Rumbidzai Nzvere and Talent Tsatse. Photos:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/zimbabwevigil/albums/72177720336248304/

. Vigil activist Mazvita Shoniwa comments:

The Zimbabwe “Patriotic Act” and what It means to civic activists with Restoration of Human Rights (ROHR) and the Zimbabwe Vigil

On 14 July 2023, President Emmerson Mnangagwa signed into law the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Amendment Act—commonly known as the “Patriotic Act.” The law criminalises certain meetings or communications between Zimbabwean citizens and foreign representatives where sanctions, military intervention or the overthrow of the Government are allegedly discussed. On paper, it claims to protect Zimbabwe’s sovereignty. In practice, its broad wording risks turning legitimate civic engagement into a suspected crime. As a civic activist, my role is to advocate for fellow Zimbabweans on issues that oppress them. This may require speaking to journalists, diplomats, human-rights organisations and international institutions. But when phrases such as “injuring the national interest” are open to wide interpretation, how can activists know when lawful advocacy might be labelled unpatriotic? Zimbabwe’s Constitution guarantees freedom of expression, including the right to seek, receive and communicate ideas. Yet a right written on paper means little when citizens are afraid to exercise it. The greatest danger of this law may not be prosecution alone—it is the silence created by fear. When activists must measure every sentence, fear every meeting and reconsider every international conversation, freedom of speech has already been weakened. Criticising a government is not betraying a country. Government and country are not the same thing. Speaking about corruption, injustice or human-rights abuses is not an attack on Zimbabwe—it is a demand for Zimbabwe to do better. True patriotism is not blind loyalty to those in power. It is the courage to defend the people and demand accountability. Every 14 July, we must therefore ask: Does this law truly protect Zimbabwe—or does it protect those governing it from the voices of Zimbabweans? 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 7th November 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.