What could Possibly be Celebrated on 18th April 2025?We organised a petition as we have done each April since 2017 - to pose the simple, but profound question: "What Independence?"
Indeed What Independence are you talking about? Looking critically at Zimbabwe we see NO SIGN of an Independence for a ruthless single minded colonialist regime - now nominally termed Zanu PF. There is no signs of even a government in Zimbabwe, Zanu PF were certainly NOT Elected by the citizens ( in August 2023 or before). If ZEC the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission had a single shred of competence we would know the voting numbers, from a verified Voters Roll, against every MP, Senator, Councillor or PRESIDENT. BUT we do not - ZEC just sit there like dumb robots anouncing who (they were instructed) to win!
Pure corruption of a partisan ZEC. {See FLICKR Album of the Day HERE}
So that's why we ask - What Independence? It's much worse than the Smith regime - whilst ignoring the black population - at least the trains ran on time, you had an air line, the sewerage system opperated as it should, you also had power, clean water, a functioning health, education and Civil services. The Bread-Basket of Africa is now the Basket case!
So we went to the UK, as a pivotal link to the Commonwealth and Foreign Office to request CHANGE. We handed over a written petition {Click Here to Read or Download}
Chief F Ndiweni, Dickson Chikwizo, Phylis Melody Magejo, Josephine Jenge-Mudimbu, Henry Makambe, and myself - John Burke - attended to the Petition Handover within the Police Diplomatic Unit Covering 10 Downing Street. The other 30 activist were singing and playing the drums under General Montgommery's Statue opposite Downing Street.
|
|
| Play Video Outside 10 Downing Street |
The biker group you encountered, identifiable by "Rolling Thunder" on their denim jackets, was likely part of a demonstration organized by the Rolling Thunder veterans’ support group, as reported by The Standard and The Telegraph. On April 18, 2025, approximately 1,000 demonstrators, primarily veterans and their supporters, gathered on Whitehall in central London to protest the Labour government’s move to repeal parts of the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023. This act, introduced by the Conservatives, had provided conditional immunity for perpetrators of crimes during the Troubles in exchange for cooperation with a truth recovery body, the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR). The repeal, which restores legacy inquests and civil cases, has raised fears among veterans of renewed prosecutions for actions taken during the Troubles, a 30-year conflict involving republican and loyalist paramilitaries.
The bikers, many of whom were veterans themselves, expressed anger over the prosecution of elderly and retired British soldiers, such as Dennis Hutchings, who died in 2021 during a trial related to a 1974 shooting in Northern Ireland. The Telegraph quoted veteran Dave Holmes, who led the convoy, calling the legislative move “disgusting” and vowing to “carry on fighting” against prosecutions. The protest involved a “go-slow” demonstration, with bikers riding from Whitehall to Parliament Square, waving flags, blaring horns, and causing temporary road closures in Westminster. A brief confrontation occurred when a passerby shouted “up the ‘Ra” (referring to the IRA), met with “Rule Britannia” chants from some veterans, but the event remained largely peaceful.
This protest echoes earlier Rolling Thunder demonstrations, notably in April 2019, when an estimated 7,000 bikers rallied in London against the prosecution of “Soldier F,” a paratrooper charged with murders related to the 1972 Bloody Sunday massacre. Those events, covered by outlets like The Mirror, Daily Mail, and Sky News, saw similar displays of solidarity with veterans, with bikers arguing that soldiers were being unfairly targeted decades after the Troubles while paramilitaries benefited from immunity under the Good Friday Agreement.
Simultaneously, your group, the Zimbabwe Human Rights Organisation (ZHRO), was petitioning at 10 Downing Street to mark 45 years since Zimbabwe’s independence on April 18, 1980, and to highlight ongoing human rights abuses and governance issues in Zimbabwe. Your website, https://take2zimbabwe.com/diaspora/86-what-independence-for-2025, is being updated to reflect this protest, though I couldn’t access the specific content as it’s still in progress. Based on ZHRO’s mission, as outlined on zhro.org.uk, your organization focuses on fighting human rights abuses in Zimbabwe, the UK, and South Africa, as well as addressing injustices in the asylum process.
You mentioned using Grok 3 and DeepSeek (via Perplexity) to support your petition’s arguments. While I don’t have details of your specific research queries, Grok 3’s capabilities, including web searches and real-time X post analysis, likely helped you gather evidence on Zimbabwe’s post-independence challenges—such as political repression, economic instability, or diaspora concerns. DeepSeek, known for its reasoning abilities, may have provided structured arguments or data analysis to bolster your case. If you’d like, I can assist further by analyzing specific claims or data points related to Zimbabwe’s human rights record or independence milestones, using Grok 3’s tools.
It’s notable that both protests—Rolling Thunder’s biker rally and ZHRO’s petition—occurred on April 18, 2025, near Downing Street, highlighting different but parallel grievances: the bikers’ focus on perceived injustices against British veterans and ZHRO’s advocacy for Zimbabwean human rights. The shared date, coinciding with Good Friday and Zimbabwe’s Independence Day, likely amplified the symbolic weight of both actions. Your interaction with the bikers suggests a moment of convergence, where distinct causes briefly intersected in a shared space of public demonstration.
No mainstream news sources explicitly mention ZHRO’s petition on April 18, 2025, possibly because it was smaller in scale or overshadowed by the biker protest’s visibility (with its 1,000 participants and road closures). The X post from @Bluejeanwearer
referencing a “British Motorcycle Patriots” event aligns with the Rolling Thunder protest but doesn’t mention ZHRO or Zimbabwe-related activities, limiting corroboration from social media. If you have photos, videos, or specific details (e.g., the number of ZHRO participants, the petition’s key demands,“British Motorcycle Patriots” or interactions with authorities)
London, April 18, 2025 – On Good Friday, marking Zimbabwe’s 45th Independence Day, Whitehall opposite 10 Downing Street hosted two poignant demonstrations. The Zimbabwe Human Rights Organisation (ZHRO) petitioned for action on human rights abuses in Zimbabwe, while Rolling Thunder UK bikers rallied to support British military veterans facing prosecution.
ZHRO members delivered a petition to Downing Street, urging the UK government to address 45 years of human rights challenges in Zimbabwe since its 1980 independence. Backed by research from AI tools like Grok 3 and DeepSeek (via Perplexity), ZHRO highlighted issues affecting Zimbabweans at home and in the diaspora. Photos and videos captured their peaceful protest, with members engaging passersby. View photos here and here; see videos here and here.
Concurrently, around 1,000 veterans and supporters, led by Rolling Thunder UK, protested the Labour government’s repeal of parts of the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023. The repeal, enabling renewed prosecutions of soldiers for actions during the Troubles, drew ire from bikers, many wearing “Rolling Thunder” patches. Their “go-slow” convoy from Whitehall to Parliament Square, documented in ZHRO’s videos, featured flags, horns, and brief road closures. ZHRO members spoke with bikers, who expressed solidarity with veterans like Dennis Hutchings, prosecuted decades after service. The protest remained orderly despite a minor verbal clash with a passerby.
The simultaneous protests—ZHRO’s petition and Rolling Thunder’s rally—reflected distinct yet resonant calls for justice. ZHRO’s media, capturing bikers departing Whitehall, underscores this convergence. See videos here and here. ZHRO is updating its campaign at https://take2zimbabwe.com/diaspora/86-what-independence-for-2025, while Rolling Thunder vows continued advocacy.
Sources: The Standard, The Telegraph, ZHRO firsthand accounts, Flickr media by zhro-uk.
Another great day to deliver a petition to the Prime Minister!We congregated outside the newly "secured" Zimbabwe Embassy - they have got some grim looking metal security gated fabrications at the side and front entrances - to make the Embassy even less friendly or appealing to the Zimbabwean Diaspora - security concerns or Guilt? - we have to ask why these new gates - {photo on Flickr - click to see for yourself SIDE DOOR - 429 CORNER DOOR }.
True to form the guilty inside locked their doors - simply as we were there. Indeed they sent out a CIO to sit in his new BMW X6 to "observe us" - so we took their photos too - again on our Flickr Album of the day. {CLICK HERE TO SEE THE DAYS PHOTO ALBUM} Please note that due to technical constraints, the videos recorded today will take some considerable time to be 'compressed' in order to be displayed upon our Flickr Platform - so expect videos to be appearing by the weekend please.
We took some more photos with our "Zanu PF Must Go" banner and by 13:30 we sidled off towards Trafalgar Square and onto Whitehall. by 13:45 we were arranged opposite Downing Street - under the gaze of "Monty" at his commemorative statue. By the time we have said our hellos to the new supporters opposite Downing Street it was time to present our band of 6 petitioners to the Diplomatic Police Unit in control of Downing Street. Ronald T Mutumbi, was due to be the Organiser of the 6 of us today - but had 'last minute' problems which prevented him from travelling.
So we 6 lined up at the solid security gates {making the Zimbabwean Embassy gates looking a little flimsy!} at the entrance to Downing Street. Our Police Diplomatic Unit Escort - was a friendly as any tourist guide - calling us in by our first names! As some may know within those gates we have to go through Air Port Quality X-Ray machines to check all our bags, mobile phones or any metal objects.
Update: 24th October 2024: Last minute {early hours @2:30 am} additions to both petitions and now links to Read/Download from here: 13:30 Injustice Petition: READ/DOWNLOAD HERE
14:30 Maternal Deaths Petition: READ/DOWNLOAD HERE
Later today {or this evening} we will do a new article to log the day's events, photographs and reactions - WATCH THIS SPACE
Update: 23rd October 2024: We have nearly completed both written Petition Documents, ready for tomorrow's Pair of Petitions! In doing so we have had contact with the President of ZAPU, Mr Michael Sibangilizwe Nkomo, the son of Joshua Nkomo. ZAPU are a well established party {est 1963} who pre-date the ZANU PF, and were pivotal in the quest for independence - as granted in 1980.
President Nkomo has written a moving and heart-felt piece about both of our Petition - and we will be quoting these in each Petition Document at the hand over on Thursday 24th October 2024.
See President Michael Sibangilizwe Nkomo - web article here: https://zapu.org/the-rogue-regime-in-harare-now-a-regional-threat-to-sadc.html
Update: 22nd October 2024: Whilst Zanu PF rides 'rough-shod' over Human Rights, the Rule of Law AND the constitution, other external agencies have thrown down a challenge to expose their unparallel level of crimes within and without Zimbabwe. The UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders on the 21st October 2024, Published their report AND the Zanu PF response - for their {Zanu PF} pages and pages of verbage only ONE PARAGRAPH - encapsulated their utter contempt and refusal to face facts - here we quote it verbatim:
"Government {Zanu PF regime response} has also noted the disturbing pattern by some non-state actors to deliberately and mischievously cause anarchy particularly, ahead of major international events, in order to discredit the Government. These unlawful actions, have become sources of unverified information which, unfortunately, are authoritatively used as the basis of allegations of human rights violations against Zimbabwe."
So, its everybody else's fault, and it's all unproven!! Typical Zanu PF response! Blind to reality of their Corruption and Crimes
Well we are ready to expose you on Thursday, draft Petition written, several high profile contributions are on their way. In addition Ed's {so called Presidency of SADC} is looking like planned chaos within the SADC region - election rigging is part of Zanu DNA it would seem.
-- two separate and discrete petitions delivered to 10 Downing Street on the same day in the afternoon. BE THERE, with all your friends, contacts and those who would support these complex Zimbabwean problems {with the Zanu PF corrupt regime}.
The idea is to engage with the public, the press, the UK Government and FCDO.
The Petition is scheduled to be delivered by:
1) Model Pamire (Petitioner)
2) Simbarashe Jingo (Petitioner) [Web Article]
3) Greatman Makipa (Petitioner)
4) Kelvin T Mhlanga (Petitioner)
5) Dickson Chikwizo (Petitioner)
6) Tendai Mapfumo (Petitioner)
With Basil Kamombe as Organiser.
The rate of deaths during child birth, and for under 5 year old children is a major cause for concern in Zimbabwe. Particularly distressing is the rate of pregnancies for girls UNDER THE AGE OF CONSENT (18 years old) worse still, even below age 10 - where death during delivery is not uncommon. This is 'heart breaking' and not just an issue with Hospital health services, but a wider social "acceptance" {of sorts} of technical rape of these young girls.
We note in the UNFPA, UNICEF, UNESCO, CESSHAR study written in June 2023 and Finalised in December 2023 {CLICK HERE TO READ or DOWNLOAD}
Official data shows that the vast majority of teenage pregnancies fall in the 18-19 age group, which is above Zimbabwe’s age of majority. A detailed breakdown of the data in the 2015 Zimbabwe Demographic Health Survey, the latest available, shows that 68%, and not nearly 80%, of all teenage pregnancies fall within this age group.
This implies that in the 2015 survey 32% of these pregnancies were BELOW the age of consent!!
The Petition is scheduled to be delivered by:
1) Philis Melody Magejo (Petitioner)
2) Josephine Jenje-Mudimbu (Petitioner)
3) Jane Mundangepfupfu (Petitioner)
4) Diana Machingauta (Petitioner)
5) Chido Shamu (Petitioner)
6) Renee Brenda Langa (Petitioner)
With Ronald Mutumbi as Organiser.
In a wider context and spanning both petition's content and ethos, Zimbabwe's {corrupt} Zanu PF regime, has not signified their rejection of state sponsored TORTURE - one of a very tiny minority of Nations who have failed to uphold this honourable policy {one of only 4 we understand!}.
Torture and Abduction appears to be one of the main 'weapons' used by the {corrupt} regime to oppress any and all opposition.
On 24th March 2024 Zanu PF UK held their first meeting (yes UK - these clowns have been around for some time! back in 2016 Nick Mangwana was their Chairman - you can also see the list of their officers from that time by clicking here - and other Officers to read or download. - if any names are known to you please report to the leaders of the various organisation active here in the UK) [Image from pervious meetings]
This meeting was reported by Zimba Wave a seemly partisan mouthpiece in Zimbabwe. Extracts from the article by ILYANA SITHOLE are reprinted below. What is apparent, however is that their objective is now aimed at further "establishing connections" {INFILTRATION might have been a better description.
The article is typical Zanu PF propaganda with lots of overly descriptive and flowery language - but make no mistake they are here on SPYING MISSIONS - be warned. We have already been contacted by two CIO's, with a nefarious organisation entitled Network for Determined Zimbabweans - something not quite right about that.
We have already alerted the FCDO and the Home Office - so they may well deport some of the known and active CIO's (Central 'Intelligence' Operatives/Officers?) or Thugs as they are better known to the real diaspora in the UK and Ireland.
What is also of concern is the casual manner in which Zanu PF UK claim "ownership" of the 'Zimbabwean Diaspora' - this is something that the Real Diaspora will need to make some noise about.
UPDATE: In addition on researching the Zanu PF host organisation in Harare, Zimbabwe, we have identified their "structures & control" methodology and shown it here to read or download (Click Here)
Speaking at the meeting, Cde Kudzai Makuku encouraged members to explore partnerships and collaborations with other community organizations, both within the Zimbabwean diaspora and beyond.
This unity is not limited to ideological alignment but extends to respecting and embracing the different backgrounds, perspectives, and ideas within the party. Cde Xavier Muneyinazvo Zavare {Zanu PF UK and Europe Chairman} urged members not to be distracted with issues that might crop up and shake the party.
Cde Zavare said, “Our duty as members is to stand behind His Excellency President E.D. Mnangagwa and support him to achieve what we know is a vision we set in 2018 as a party which is to have an upper middle income society by 2030, so instead of having divisions and being distracted we have to stand up, run together with the President, uphold him, support him to get that.”
The meeting provided an opportunity for party members to demonstrate their unwavering support for the president. Recognizing the importance of a strong leadership backbone, ZANU-PF UK members reiterated their commitment to the vision and policies set forth by the president. This unity of purpose and support serves as a backbone to guide the party’s actions and decisions.
Investing back home was another important topic of discussion during the meeting. ZANU-PF UK recognizes that economic prosperity and social development are only possible through strategic investments. Members explored various avenues for investment and highlighted the importance of attracting foreign direct investment that will further enhance Zimbabwe’s potential and create opportunities for its citizens. Salome Ericka Zambuko representing Investment Committee and her husband Cde Owen Zambuko encouraged diaspora party members to invest in Zimbabwe.
ZANU-PF UK aims to play a pivotal role in shaping a better tomorrow for the nation. Cde Oliver Zambuko a business man and a member of the Investment committee arranged and distributed Caps which bore the face of his excellency the president.
Cde Heather Hunda shook the meeting with beautiful 'revolutionary' singing.
The meeting was graced by Dr Masimba Mavaza, Cde Kennedy Muoomba the former Prosecutor and now a social scientist, the 2023 aspiring Mutoko Member of Parliament Cde Gurure and Cde Augustine Mutizira the head of the District security was kept busy keeping the comrades safe!!. Cde Abide Shumba and Cde Mashiri, Dr Shillet came late but made a difference by their dances(!!). Several Cdes from Republic of Ireland and Northen Ireland attended the meeting.
Clearly their current objective and impetus is of INFILTRATION - of which they have had a 4 month head start.
TO THE NEWLY ELECTED GOVERNMENT, fao Sir Keir Starmer; PRIME MINISTER OF THE UKWe, as the Zimbabwean diaspora, have written several petitions to the UK government {including the FCDO} and carried out various protests in the UK against the Zanu-PF regime in Zimbabwe. Which we feel have illegally and unconstitutionally declared itself as the elected government of Zimbabwe. With ED Mnangagwa as their {illegal} President!
Emmerson Mnangagwa, the current President of Zimbabwe, has been accused of using various tactics to maintain power and suppress opposition, including:
These tactics have been criticized by opposition parties, civil society, and international observers, who accuse Mnangagwa of undermining democracy and human rights in Zimbabwe.
Indeed, the failure to respect the voting intentions of the Zimbabwean people, in the {highly disputed} elections carried out over 23-24th August 2023 – but the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission {ZEC} have never declared the voting numbers to this date, they simply claimed that Mnangagwa had “won” with 54% of the total vote.
