Hundreds of human rights campaigners and Zimbabwean exiles supplemented the weekly vigils outside the Zimbabwe High Commission in London and staged a demonstration from 12.00 - 14.00 on Saturday 9th November 2002.

The demonstration was in support of MDC leaders who are to begin appearing in court on 11th November 2002 to answer allegations of treason against the illegitimate Mugabe regime - allegations which they strongly reject. The party leader, Morgan Tsvangarai, is himself not expected to face trial until February 2003. One of the latest victims was Learnmore Jongwe, former MDC Secretary for Information and Publicity, who was murdered by the authorities last month while being held in custody.

Channel 4 News gave extensive coverage to the demonstration on their evening programme tonight. Multiple torture victim Patson Muzuwa was interviewed outside Zimbabwe House and told about his own experience.

Thousands of passers-by have signed a petition asking the UN Security Council to send a team to investigate human rights abuses in Zimbabwe. There are daily reports of torture by the authorities in Zimbabwe, involving the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) and Zanu PF militia. Now the police themselves are increasingly involved, reflecting a growing breakdown of law and order.

Calitas Matora, Councillor for Sidakeni area suffered a broken neck, a broken back and a broken hand as a torture victim. She attended the demonstration in defiant mood still wearing a neck-brace.

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