e root causes of the problem,” said Sox Chikowero, the representative for Zimbabwe Torture Victims Project.
“We need to find out who was responsible for the suffering of the people and they must be prosecuted for their crimes. People should not go free for the crimes they are committing,” said one participant.
The Crisis Coalition of Zimbabwe (CCZ) forum, launched last week, discussed the video entitled,’ Crime of Poverty’ produced by Solidarity Peace Trust on Operation Murambatsvina.
Reverend Nick Mkaronda, the Coordinator for CCZ said,” We should use the space and freedom we have in South Africa to discuss the problems Zimbabwe is experiencing. The forum provides an opportunity for Zimbabweans to be able to debate without fear of being arrested.”
The project will also give ordinary Zimbabweans and South Africans a space to discuss on how they can work together in fighting for democracy in Zimbabwe. – Zakeus Chibaya
‘Unfit for habitation’
JOHANNESBURG – The South African social movement organizations’ delegation which visited Zimbabwe recently has described the houses built under the much-celebrated Operation Garikayi/Hlalani Kuhle as ‘match-boxes’ and unfit for human habitation.
The four-member delegation from homeless communities in South Africa was appalled that the intended beneficiaries of Operation Murambatsvina remain homeless and destitute as the army and police personnel receive preferential treatment in the allocation of the properties.
“The houses are match boxes and too small for an average family. People in Mbare, Glen Norah and Tafara end up sleeping in car scrap yards as they cannot fit into the houses,” said Siphiwe Segodi, the head of delegation at a debriefing meeting held in Johannesburg.
There have been complaints from the occupants that the houses are poorly built and some have even collapsed, putting the lives of occupants at severe risk. The group, which comprised the Anti-Privatization Forum in Gauteng, the Anti-Eviction Campaign, from Cape Town and Abahlali base Mjondolo in Durban visited Bulawayo, Gweru, Harare and Masvingo as part of the local and regional first year Operation Murambatsvina commemoration coordinated by Crisis In Zimbabwe Coalition.
“During our visit we slept with the victims to get the real experience on the ground. It shows that Mugabe is punishing his people for voting for the opposition. All African leaders should condemn the whole Operation and bring Mugabe to account for his action,” Segodi said.
Philani Zungu added that Mugabe was applying repressive laws and methods that had been used during the apartheid era in South Africa.
“People are in pain but Mugabe is increasing his intimidation tactics, arresting and killing people for speaking out. The government is stubborn because it does not want to listen to the plight of people,” said Zungu.
The delegation found that most of the houses destroyed during Murambatsvina had been formal structures, which had been approved by the council unlike the mkuku [South Africa squatter camps]. In Masvingo, councillors and officials revealed to the delegation that they were not even consulted.
Dale McKinley of Social Movement Indaba said: “We would like the poor and marginalized SA communities to understand the crisis unfolding in Zimbabwe so that they can put pressure on the SA government. Mbeki will only respond when the masses are speaking out and we need to mobilize the people in informal communities.”
The Combined Harare Residents Association, which hosted the delegation said, the President Mbeki’s quiet diplomacy was ineffective as it lacked an appreciation of real issues on the ground.
“The legal framework in Zimbabwe disadvantages the poor and is repressive in nature as it militates heavily against free expression, association and access to information,” said the association’s spokesman.