PROTESTS have erupted across the United Kingdom to stop First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa’s visit to attend a summit of African first ladies in London next month.
The First Ladies of African Impact & Resilience (FLAIR) Summit is a high-level forum which brings together Africa's first ladies to discuss impact, resilience and climate action.
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The forum was formed by the diaspora women leaders to collaborate with the women back home for the well-being of society.
The protest, spearheaded by the Zimbabwe Human Rights Organisation (ZHRO),which began with a march in Stockton-on-Tees, North East England, has gained momentum in that country.
The protesters, drawn from various UK cities and towns such as Coventry, Leicester, Leeds, Peterlee, Brighton, Durham, Liverpool, Middlesbrough and the diaspora community, voiced their strong objection to Mnangagwa’s participation at the event, citing human rights abuses and ongoing political repression in Zimbabwe.
Holding placards and chanting anti-regime slogans, the demonstrators called on newly- elected UK council leaders and Members of Parliament to take urgent steps — including tabling a motion in Parliament — to prevent Mnangagwa's entry to the UK, arguing that the summit is not a United Nations-sanctioned event.
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Among prominent protesters were Shamiso Moyo, Nobukhosi Dube, Dickson Chikwizo, Shepherd Yuda, John Burke, Josephine Jenje Mudimu, Panashe Sivindani — the lone 2020 Nust protester now based in the US —Xoliso Sithole, Romancia Chiomba, Samuel Jambaya, Diana Machingauta, Patson Muzuwa and others who co-ordinated the march.
The protesters voiced concern over the increased threat posed by Zimbabwe’s Patriot Act 2023, which criminalises dissent and overseas criticism of the government.
“Our lives are at risk simply for speaking out,” said one protester, referencing online threats and surveillance by Zimbabwean State agents.
The protests coincided with World Press Freedom Day, adding symbolic weight to the arrest of Heart & Soul TV senior journalist Blessed Mhlanga.
Protesters called on the British and international media outlets to amplify the plight of Mhlanga and expose the continuing suppression of Press freedom under the Mnangagwa regime.
“There is no justification for allowing Auxillia Mnangagwa to parade on international platforms while her government jails journalists and silences dissent,” said a demonstrator.
“Her visit is an insult to victims of State brutality.”
The protests come hard on the heels of remarks by the UK's Lord Jonny Oates, encouraging lawmakers attending the summit in London, where Mnangagwa is scheduled to speak, to challenge her on Mhlanga’s detention and the regime’s brutality.
“I note that the President’s wife is due to speak at a summit in London in June and I hope that members of our Parliament who are choosing to take part will challenge Zimbabwe’s first lady on the continued detention of Blessed Mhlanga and the overall brutality of the regime that she represents,” he said.
Social media posts of the protests have reportedly attracted the attention of Zimbabwean authorities, who have publicly indicated a desire to investigate the demonstrators, raising fears of retribution for their families and networks back home.
ZHRO and affiliated human rights activists have vowed to continue the protest action until the UK government intervenes.
