RELEASE OUR FRIEND VICTOR MUJAKACHI FROM IMMIGRATION DETENTION NOW.

We are deeply concerned about the safety of our friend. Victor was detained when reporting at Vulcan House, Sheffield on the 11 February. We fear for his safety should he be forcibly returned to Zimbabwe. Victor is an outspoken critic of successive Zimbabwean governments and has expressed worries for his safety, should he be returned, especially given the recent brutal crackdown on anti-government protesters in the country.

Here in Sheffield Victor has distinguished himself for his voluntary work with numerous community, voluntary and Church groups. He is a well respected volunteer at ASSIST Sheffield and has made many friends across the community. In recognition of his contributions he has received several volunteering awards.

Victor came to the UK in 2003 as a postgraduate student. In 2008 a warrant for his arrest was issued by the Zimbabwean authorities, following critical comments he made online about the reelection of Robert Mugabe. His subsequent application for asylum in the UK was turned down, as were two further asylum applications in the following years.

In spite of the uncertainties around his personal situation Victor directed his energy and considerable business acumen from his professional background in corporate banking towards helping others. He is a board member of FURD (Football Unites Racism Divides) and Sheffield Conversation Club, and volunteers for several other organisations, including HARC (Homeless and Rootless at Christmas), the Sunday Centre, City of Sanctuary, and others. In 2017 he was awarded the Nether Edge and Sheffield Community Star Award in 2017, in addition to the South Yorkshire High Sheriff’s Award in 2013.

Victor is an indispensable volunteer at ASSIST Sheffield. He holds various volunteer roles, but his absence will be most dramatically felt at our emergency night shelter. He has been the team leader for the shelter for the past eight years. During this period the shelter has been a lifeline for several hundred asylum seekers who would otherwise have had to sleep rough on the streets of our city. Without Victor, there is a real risk the operations of the night shelter will be severely disrupted in the short to medium term, putting at risk emergency accommodation for dozens of asylum seekers who currently depend on it as their sole emergency accommodation.

Given his continued activism around Zimbabwean politics and vocal criticism of the Mugabe and later the Mnangagwa governments and in light of the recent brutal government crackdown on protesters in Zimbabwe (described by Amnesty International as using ‘the most brutal tactics imaginable’) we are in shock and disbelief that any UK government would even consider deporting anybody to Zimbabwe.

Victor isn’t the only Zimbabwean that has been detained in the last few days.

We ask for no asylum seekers to be deported to Zimbabwe.

We ask for Victor Mujakachi and other detained Zimbabweans to be released from detention immediately.