London: Mugabe birthday demonstration

Church groups and exiled Zimbabweans in the UK will gather outside the Zimbabwe Embassy in London on Saturday 20th February to mark the 86th birthday of President Mugabe this weekend.

The demonstration is organised by the Zimbabwe Vigil which has been protesting outside the Embassy for more than seven years in support of demands for free and fair elections.

Zimbabwean human rights activist Fungayi Mabhunu, wearing a Mugabe mask, will be in attendance to receive presents, including a relaxation, announced this week, of the targeted sanctions by the European Union. He will be accompanied by Josephine Zhuga playing the role of Mugabe's wife Grace.

Vigil Co-ordinator Dumi Tutani said: "People at home might take for granted the visionary leader who has done so much for so long to create a new Zimbabwe. But we in the diaspora continue to marvel at his achievements: poverty, murder, disease, starvation, torture, violence, ignorance, corruption . . . In short blighting the lives of millions. We will be handing Mr Mugabe birthday cards signed by our supporters expressing their real feelings for this tyrant."

The event takes place outside the Zimbabwe Embassy, 429 Strand, London WC2 this Saturday, 20 February, from 2 - 6pm and will include Zimbabwean singing, drumming and dancing. At 4 pm there will be a tableau of Mugabe and his consort Grace receiving 'presents' and birthday cards from exiled Zimbabweans.

For more information see: www.zimvigil.co.uk