Below we publish an unedited letter by an irate Zimdiaspora reader in reaction to MDC-UK exucutive claim that they have managed to stop deportations of Zimbabwean asylum seekers.
By Zimdiaspora reader,
I was disappointed to see many reputable online publications splashing the mouth-watering headline “Deportations to Zimbabwe suspended”.
I was however not surprised when I saw that the source of that information was the overzealous MDC-UK Organising Secretary, Mr Jason Matewu. This is a man whose MDC-UK executive is under-fire from the general membership because of alleged misappropriation of funds and the fact that he and others went to Zimbabwe in search of ministerial and ambassadorial positions only to return when they discovered that nothing like that was going to happen.
The general feeling therefore, among the party supporters and those still running away from persecution is that Matewu and his gang no longer represent their aspirations because of the reasons noted above. It is against this background that Matewu and his group wanted to be seen to be doing something and to remind the generality of the MDC-UK membership that they are still relevant and they do care about their welfare. Every little helps!
Newspapers, journalists for that matter have a responsibility to make sure that the public is not misinformed. I feel that journalists' duty to expose this type of dangerous spin and expose the nakedness of Mr Matewu’s pronouncements about suspended deportations. I feel that this is another scam aimed at exploiting the vulnerable and rip them off of their hard-earned money.
The truth about deportations is that, at the moment no Zimbabwean who has claimed asylum is being deported. I therefore, wonder which deportations have been suspended! Matewu just repeats what the ministerial statement of 29 October 2009 by Mr Woolas said and for the benefit of those who did not see it, I quote the relevant paragraphs, the opening paragraph says “I am announcing today our intention to make changes over time to our returns policy to Zimbabwe,” The above statement clearly shows that the Home Office had no intention of resuming deportations immediately, the key word being over time and it is instructive to note that there is no timeline. Mr Matewu then tells us happily, that the Home Office has agreed to review the situation in January 2010, is aware that it’s only one month from now?
Further, the statement says “The UK Border Agency will therefore be starting work over the autumn on a process aimed at normalising our returns policy to Zimbabwe, moving towards resuming enforced returns progressively as and when the political situation develops.”
Surely, the above statement leaves no doubt in anyone’s mind that the Home Office are not deporting Zimbabweans at the moment but will be looking at the situation in Zimbabwe and adjusts accordingly. I am therefore appalled that the so called high powered delegation went to the Home Office to get a ministerial statement, which was already in the public domain, and read it back to the MDC-UK membership and masquerade as if they got a concession when this was the Home Office position well before their useless visit. We think people deserve better!
The truth is that no deportations were suspended since there were no deportations in the first place and secondly the issue of reviewing the situation in Zimbabwe has always been on the Home Office agenda as evidenced by the ministerial statement of 29 October 2009, which was issued well before Matewu his gang’s visit.
I would be glad to know what exactly was discussed during the meeting. I am reliably informed that the main issue discussed was the assistance the Home Office is willing to offer to those returning to Zimbabwe, but because of the sensitivity of the issue Matewu and gang are afraid to tell the membership and instead dish out false hopes all in the name of political expendiency.Shame.
The ministerial statement was posted on the Home Office website (http://www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2009/october/returns-to-zimbabwe) on the 29th October 2009 and anyone who has access to the internet can read it.
I find this insulting and demeaning. Does the MDC-UK executive think that MDC members in the UK are so stupid and uneducated so as to believe anything said and done by the executive? Just like George Charamba!
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written by RYTON DZIMIRI, November 07, 2009
written by mugabe hunter, November 07, 2009
written by Gomoguru, November 07, 2009
Is it now a case of jealous by the ''rebels'' who do not like guys.
written by Rudo, November 07, 2009
written by Inini, November 07, 2009
written by Didi, November 07, 2009
written by Tandi, November 07, 2009
Press Release
Home Office agrees not to remove Zimbabweans until there is political change in Zimbabwe.
Following the announcement by the Immigration Minister Phil Woollas MP that the UK government’s was considering resuming removals/deportations to Zimbabwe, members of the MDC UK Provincial Executive attended a meeting with managers at the UKBA on Thursday 5th November 2009. We requested the Home Office not to resume the removals/deportations as we feel that the political situation in Zimbabwe does not warrant such a change in Policy. We are pleased to inform you that the UKBA managers clarified that the the moratorium on non removals will be extended until there is political change in Zimbabwe. The UKBA managers also assured us that they will review the position again in January 2010 and make another statement as necessary. It was further agreed that a further consultative meeting between the MDC UK will take place at/or around the time of the announcement in January 2010.
We would like to encourage our members who continue to fear persecution on return to Zimbabwe to contact the Home Office and ask for international protection without fearing that they would be detained and removed to Zimbabwe before there is genuine political change in Zimbabwe.
The meeting we held with the UKBA covered a wide range of issues. We will provide further details in due course.
Thank you.
Jonathan Chawora
(MDC-UK & I Chairman)
MATHEW NYASHANU MDC SECRETARY FOR INFOMATION AND PUBLICITY U.K AND IRELAND 07930527803 (MOB) 0121 554 5910 (LAND LINE) OUR STRUGGLE KNOWS NO TRIBE, COLOUR ,RACE OR RELIGION.THE ULTIMATE GOAL IS TO CREATE A JUST AND FREE SOCIETY.TOGETHER WE SHALL BREAK DOWN THE FORCES OF EVIL AND COMPLETE THE CHANGE.
written by mugabe hunter, November 07, 2009
A lot of people have been making effort not chawora only
Protest for Zimbabwe plight
Saturday, November 07, 2009, 15:193 readers have commented on this story.
Click here to read their views.
ZIMBABWEAN campaigners hope a protest today in Old Market Square will make people aware of how their lives are in danger.
The Nottingham branch of Zimbabwe's main opposition party, the Movement for Democratic Change, started protesting at 2pm against recently announced changes that will allow the Government to return people to the country.
Until last week, the Government did not remove Zimbabweans who had failed the asylum process from Britain – the Government viewed Zimbabwe as too dangerous.
Last week, Phil Woolas, the immigration minister, announced a reversal of that policy as the situation in the African country was improving.
But campaigner Regis Manyana, 42, of Aspley, says it is too soon to be returned to the country.
Speaking to the Evening Post - while up to two dozen fellow campaigners sang songs and waved banners - the father-of-three said: "I think it will send a message to the Home Office.
"These are the last days of the situation in Zimbabwe, but it is still very dangerous.
"It feels as though we are living on borrowed time. We need the world to know our situation."
He said the group was looking to protest in London and submit a petition to Gordon Brown.
Lawyer Mark Taylor, of The Taylor Partnership in Keighley, who specialises in representing asylum seekers, said there was a human rights issue.
He said: "Most of them want to go back to Zimbabwe but they cannot. They are in danger."
written by Didi, November 07, 2009
written by black album, November 07, 2009
written by Skys, November 07, 2009
Please if you know that you are an failed asylum seeker dont warst your time listening to Matewu & Co executive,just pack your bag and ask for your 6000thousand poud and come home and start your own busness and fed your family.
Time is moving you are geting old and you are not permited to work in UK only listening Matewu 's Propaganda of stealing MDC funds and building mansions in zimbabwe wake Ma-zimbabwean chance comes once.If you miss this chance of 6000thousads pound where can you get another one this is the time to think for yourself like what you did the time you planned to buy a ticket flee to UK so now think wise think BIG.
Come home ladies and genlmen the door is open for please come and fight together the enemy is now very weak no teeth we need you we your new ideas.Do not wait until you are being forced to getout of British land no.
written by Ruvarashe, November 07, 2009
written by Dick, November 07, 2009
written by Dumi, November 07, 2009
written by Rusape mukamba villge, November 07, 2009
written by Todd, November 08, 2009
Forevever M.D.C Lets fight For non deportations at all cost.
Not for now or when because the answers are there . Until Mugabe is Gone!!!!!!
written by Sikhumbetsheni, November 08, 2009
written by mk, November 08, 2009
written by Makapulitshabi, November 08, 2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUGRfazy4E4 You have not changed you Zimbabweans.
written by Makapulitshabi, November 08, 2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUGRfazy4E4
Why are you people not realising that all that Mthwakazi needs is total independence from the Zimbabwean tribalist Junta. Today when Mthwakazi is trying to build a non tribal and non racial state of King Mzilikazi, we still here people like MK and others yell their tribal diarhea at Mthwakazians just like ZANU does.
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