Zim youth group to petition for diaspora vote at Zimbabwe embassy in South Africa

By Tererai Karimakwenda
28 January, 2008

A Zimbabwean youth group has added its voice to the list of organisations campaigning for Zimbabweans in the Diaspora to be allowed to vote in the March elections. Based in South Africa, the Zimbabwe Revolutionary Youth Movement (ZRYM) plans to present a petition with thousands of signatures to the Zimbabwe High Commissioner, Simon Khaya Moyo, during a demonstration on Tuesday.

ZRYM president Simon “Dreadman” Mudekwa dubbed the event “the mother of all demos,” because they expect to make their point loud and clear and ensure that Moyo gets their petition. He said every embassy has the obligation to protect and serve its citizens and Khaya Moyo should respect their petition. “No diaspora vote, no embassies!” said Mudekwa. The passionate youth organiser said that they would make sure the police delivered the petition if Khaya Moyo refuses to come out.

The campaign for a Diaspora vote has taken on a global dimension with Zimbabweans in several countries organising events demanding their right to vote. In the U.K. the Zimbabwe Vigil group has been active in this regard. The Zimbabwe Diaspora Forum of North America are organising a demonstration in Washington, D.C.

The South African demo was postponed from last week after the authorities in Zimbabwe detained opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai ahead of an MDC rally that had been banned in Harare. South African police were called in by Khaya Moyo, who claimed that he had fears the demonstration would turn violent. Police responded by surrounding the embassy on Thursday. Mudekwa explained that the same police would be escorting them during the demonstration Tuesday.

Mudekwa said their group had two specific demands- elections under a new Constitution and the Diaspora vote. He urged Zimbabweans in the Diaspora to visit their website and sign the petition because there is strength in numbers. Their site can be found at zimdiasporavote.blogspot.com.