Protest and prayers at Zimbabwean High Commission in London
Hundreds of people, including a number of representatives from different churches, gathered outside Zimbabwe's High Commission at noon on Saturday, to protest against the Mugabe government's prosecution of opposition leaders. A police spokesman told ICN at least 400 people took part in the event, which they said passed off very peacefully. Among the demonstrators there were a number of farmers whose homes had been confiscated by Mugabe's 'war veterans'. There were also several people who had survived torture and imprisonment. Accompanied by drumming, demonstrators sang traditional songs, and recited several prayers, in between the speeches. They wanted particularly to highlight the treason charges Mugabe has laid against opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai and other senior members of his Movement for Democratic Change who are due in court today (Monday). The demonstration lasted about two hours. A smaller vigil is being held outside the High Commission every week. The protest came a day after Zimbabwe banned Prime Minister Tony Blair and scores of his ministers from entering the country and imposed visa requirements on Britons in retaliation for European sanctions.