After international condemnation Mugabe sought to save face by building new houses in an operation code named Operation Garikai Hlalani Kuhle. But it was an abysmal failure.
Six years on, people are still homeless and this winter has been Ruthless – forcing many to build new illegal homes as the state’s promise of new homes fast fades into oblivion.
In the sprawling town of Chitungwiza, where a stand costs more than $3000 and accommodation is getting expensive every day, shacks are returning. They not only homes to hundreds of people but also a source of income to many pensioners whose savings were ruined by the Gideon Gono era of hyper-inflation.
“I built this room out of desperation. I am not employed and cannot afford the rentals. I therefore decided to build this other room so that the tenants can help me pay the bills,” said Andrew Nyoni who lives in a two-roomed core house.
The new rooms are less conspicuous and have assumed a new name – “side pocket” – as they are built just beside the core houses in many high density suburbs.
With memories of Murambatsvina still fresh and bitter, the bricks used are of cheap quality in order to avoid losses.
“People from Chitungwiza town council have not said anything about the cottages and therefore we have hope that we are going to be left alone. I pay $30 for my room and even though it is small I have a roof over my head ad have access to water and electricity things that I did not have at Hopley Farm where the government had resettled me,” said Munyaradzi Gwena.
Post published in: News