Zimbabweans gather in London to mark Mugabe departure

Every Saturday for over fifteen years, Zimbabwean exiles living in the UK have gathered outside Zimbabwe House in central London which houses the High Commission, to demonstrate against the rule of President Robert Mugabe. 

On Wednesday they gathered again for an impromptu celebration and to send a message that those Zimbabweans living overseas must also have a say in the country's future. 

Catherine Drew has this report. 

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SABC: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/1122ZimLondon-Drew.mp3 

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Angela Sithole has been handing out leaflets to raise awareness about Zimbabwe for years.    She came to the UK in 2000 after her school teacher husband was murdered.  As supporters of the MDC she says they were targets for Zanu PF thugs. 

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"During that time most of the teachers were persecuted as they started going against Mugabe  and my husband was killed so it actually affected me, it traumatized me, it affected me, that is the reason I came to the UK, seeing my husband die in front of those torturers, those murderers, it's not something nice.

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Vigil organizer Fungayi Mabhunu has waved this flag for over fifteen years….it was put to work again at an impromptu gathering of the group ….. a chance discuss events back home and wonder what it means for those who chose or were forced to leave Zimbabwe. 

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 "There's nothin to really celebrate because we are still in prison, it's like we're coming out of the mouth of the lion and we're jumping  into the jaws of the crocodile and we must remember the crocodile doesn't let go." 

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Mabhunu says the weekly vigil will continue until free and fair elections are held with a new voter register and  with all Zimbabweans all over the world  taking part. 

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"We have got millions of Zimbabweans who are in the diaspora like here in the UK who want the diaspora vote.  Our constitution says wherever you are if you are a Zimbabwean you need to vote.  Over  three million plus in South Africa  they need to vote,   those that are int  he UK they need to vote, those in the  America   they need to vote. All over the world they need to vote,  Zimbabwean people need to have a say in the policy of their country so Zanu PF need to give us that. "

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So while Zimbabweans gathered to mark the departure of a man they've reviled for years, young Zimbabweans like Nancy Makurira, an MDC supporter,  wonder if they are a step closer to being able to go home. 

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The Zanu PF are only fighting among themselves, it's actually a scramble and partition for power but as citizens we are hoping we can have free and fair elections and we can vote for who we want to  as president." 

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The london vigil is due to continue this weekend.  however those that attend are hoping it's not another fifteen years before they say real political change in Zimbabwe.