Zim youth group to march for diaspora vote at SA embassy and Beitbridge Post

By Tererai Karimakwenda
20 February, 2008

The Zimbabwean Revolutionary Youth Movement (ZRYM) in South Africa has organised 2 demonstrations this week aimed at highlighting the need for Zimbabweans in the diaspora to vote in the March 29th elections. The group delivered a petition for the Zimbabwean High Commissioner, Simon Khaya Moyo, at the Embassy in Pretoria earlier this month threatening to take action to shut down the Embassy unless their demands were met.

ZRYM President Simon Mudekwa said they are returning to the Embassy on Thursday because the Zimbabwe authorities had failed lto address the people’s needs. He added that the Thursday demonstration is intended to keep the issue of the diaspora vote in the spotlight, and to remind Khaya Moyo that they are serious about closing down the Embassy.

Mudekwa said the group will also be conducting a demonstration at Beitbridge Border Post on Saturday. They have organised at least 6 buses that will be collecting ZRYM members and supporters from Johannesburg, Pretoria and Musina. Mudekwa said there would be a police escort leading the buses.

The Border demo is also to demand that Zimbabweans outside the country be allowed to vote. Mudekwa criticised the Mugabe regime for denying millions of people their Constitutional right to take part in the polls on March 29th.

In addition to the diaspora vote, the group is calling for free and fair elections next month. Mudekwa said a message should be passed to Harare that ZRYM members will engage in certain unspecified activities if the demands are not met.

Details about the schedule for the demonstrations can be found at their website at www.zimrevyouths.blogspot.com.