People's lives come first in ZAPU

Zapu Logo

ZAPU Europe is seriously concerned of the heightened risk to its members and Zimbabweans in general should the British Government abandon the humanitarian policy of non-refoulement on Zimbabwe.

As Zimbabweans, we are thankful that the policy of no returns to Zimbabwe, consistent with the 1951 Geneva Convention and the 1967 Protocol, has saved lives. All this may count for little, if people are returned to a country where persecutions continue with impunity, farm invasions, political violence and detentions continue.

ZAPU Europe is seriously concerned of the heightened risk to its members and Zimbabweans in general should the British Government abandon the humanitarian policy of non-refoulement on Zimbabwe. As Zimbabweans, we are thankful that the policy of no returns to Zimbabwe, consistent with the 1951 Geneva Convention and the 1967 Protocol, has saved lives. All this may count for little, if people are returned to a country where persecutions continue with impunity, farm invasions, political violence and detentions continue.

The issues are regarding asylum and potential repatriation to Zimbabwe, both voluntary and the mulled, enforced are extremely pressing for our people and for most very distressing. In as much as some of the change in attitude is the responsibility of the Home Office, the statement from Minister of State for Borders and Immigration clearly indicates the imperative factor behind this change of opinion by HMG.

One wonders what diligence led to Prime Minister Tsvangirai’s decision to recommend to the British Government the repatriation of fellow Zimbabweans to the very volatile and uncertain situation as prevails in Zimbabwe at the moment! What consultation lay behind his assertion that Zimbabwe is now safe for all those who previously had a fear to remain in the country?

By all accounts there are still reported inexplicable disappearances. By all accounts too, the MDC has no mechanism to ensure their own safety, let alone that of others. Their own legislators are still being hounded and incarcerated on trumped up charges. If the legislators, visible as they are, are subject to constant harassment, what of the common person, identifiable only as a statistic?

Another issue our dear Mr Tsvangirai forgot to consider is that people are not like commodities to uproot themselves at the click of a finger. There are families, there are plans made, often medium to long term that cannot be simply altered because Tsvangirai says so. The unfortunate thing about his intervention is that it informs decisions which deprive those affected of choice.

Of all the political parties in Zimbabwe, ZAPU stands alone in putting people first. It is the needs of our people that drives our existence as a Party. Our interim NEC Chairman has stated this again and over again: “Go with the people.” For ZAPU, people’s rights are non-negotiable; people determine the agenda; people participate in actions to answer their needs. ZAPU aims and delivers on “meeting people at the point of their need.”

People’s needs are different according to their locations and circumstances. There is no way that the needs of those in China can be trans-located to us here in the EU. A Party of the people has to respond to changing circumstances. The ethos must be to free those elected to make decisions to meet the needs of the people.

Our UK Provincial Executive have decided that we are our brother’s keeper. We will do all in our ability to assist where we can, to prevent any forcible removals of our people. Inevitably there will be those that will seek to abuse our willingness to help. For such, let us be clear, we have put in place arrangements to ensure that our Party does not fall foul of the clear ground rules relating to protection that may be offered by HMG. We can only act on behalf of our members. The guidelines relating to membership are clearly stated on our website; www.zapu.org.uk.

A positive to conclude with, nearly the entire UK Provincial executive went to Manchester at the week end. Our aim was to re-organise the District Executive Committee that truly reflected the will of the people. When I asked members of the NEC recently, what they see as my most pressing role should be, their response was almost unanimous: “To bring our people in the Province together!” My view is that the continuing efforts that I am putting in are producing the desired outcomes. However unity of the people is an outcome that we can all desire; there are some that will always want to remain outside. These should never be allowed to determine the Province’s agenda.

Thank you

Chair Europe Province
Dr. Ralph Mguni

Issued by
Zenzo Ncube
ZAPU Marketing & Communication Secretary for Europe
zenzo.ncube@zapu.org.uk