London. (News of The South)- Zimbabwean Pastor Evan Mawarire was in the UK on Thursday in a flying visit.
Pastor Mawarire touched down in London on Thursday morning and addressed a meeting of UK MPs in Parliament chaired by Kate Hoey at 5pm UK time.
Mawarire is also said to have delivered a speech to a small group of Zimbabweans in London before flying out of the UK also on Thursday.
“I am sure most Zimbabweans would have loved to see Pastor Mawarire I don’t know why the visit was not announced so those who wanted to meet him could do so ” said Nhamoinesu who spoke to News of The South.
On Thursday Mawarire tweeted the following message:
#ThisFlag E Mawarire
@PastorEvanLive
I’m humbled as a citizen of Zimbabwe to address a meeting in London of UK MP’s at Westminster palace chaired by @KateHoeyMP at 5pm (UK time) Due to rules concerning filming in parliament the meeting will not be filmed. follow live tweets using #hjsevents
Mawarire also met up with members of Zimbabwe Human Rights Organisation (ZHRO). ZHRO Chairman John Burke spoke to News of The South and said:
“As a group ZHRO was impressed by Pastor Evan’s passion and commitment to human rights and the freedoms of all Zimbabweans. He has hope for Freedom – but he is also a realist”.
“He spoke of his return to Zimbabwe and his immediate arrest, being stripped naked and incarcerated in a maximum security prison. This was as an illustration as to what diasporans could expect also” said Burke.
Pastor Evan Mawarire with John Burke ZHRO Chairman
“He pointed out that many in the ruling party were directly responsible for election theft (a coup) in 2008, and genocide in 1983. These actions need to be reconciled, with a real truth and reconciliation framework”.
“When asked about Free and Fair Elections by the BBC journalist – Pastor Evan had little confidence that such would exist in 2018, and that the diaspora vote would not happen”.
“He also questioned the current mantra of “open for business” as being only for the ruling elite and not for the general population”.
“In effect he was warning the U.K. not to be hasty in taking the new ‘old guard’ at their word”.
“He sounds far more in tune with the real Zimbabwe that the self serving elite in control. He even mentioned Mpofu walking out of a parliamentary hearing – a sign of contempt for the people” added Burke.
Pastor Mawarire was also presented with ZHRO ‘s “Walk for Freedom” shirt as a reminder of their third 105km Walk on the 10-11th August this year – finishing again at the Zimfest.
Mawarire’s statements are likely to scare away investors from Zimbabwe at a time Zimbabweans are looking forward to change and better way of life. With Mugabe gone Zimbabweans are looking forward to a quick turnaround of the economy however this may take time and is heavily dependent on investors.
The late MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai was having criticised for calling for sanctions on Zimbabwe. Sanctions crippled the economy. Another politician Tendai Biti has also been criticised for calling on USA to maintain sanctions on Zimbabwe yet the majority of Zimbabweans live below the poverty line.
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