HARARE -- The Zimbabwe Poets last Tuesday evening ?commemorated Operation Murambatsvina with a poetry night at the Quill Club ?in Harare.??The poetry night was sponsored by the Media Institute of Southern ?Africa (MISA).??“It is basically a night of rememberance. We are working with artists ?to commemorate Operation Murambatsvina a dark era in the history of our ?country,” said Takura Zhangazha, MISA Zimbabwe National Director.??
Operation Murambatsvina was unleashed upon Zimbabwean citizens by the ?government in 2005 to drive out filth. The operation which was widely ?condemned, left more than 700 000 people homeless.??
“Today we shall seek to refresh the memories of the authorities of ?what has become of the victims of this operation and what has become of the ?beneficiaries of Operation Garikai,” said Shoes Lambada Coordinator of the ?Zimbabwe Poets for Human Rights.?
“Africa, Africa will never, never, ever develop, Africa will continue ?to struggle, workers will continue striking, children will continue ?starving, women will continue to be battered, journalists continue to be ?arrested, languishing behind bars, Africa will never, never, ever develop ?until victims of Operation Murambatsvina are compenstated,” belted a young ?poet identified as Thomas as he opened the night’s proceedings.??
The poetry reflected what happened during Operation Murambatsvina and ?also touched on themes to do with thenumerous human rights violations that ?continue to be witnessed in Zimbabwe even after the formation of coalition ?government between Zanu (PF) and MDC.
Radio VOP