The condition of the only one bathroom and toilet shared by 19 families that contain 120 people is deplorable. To bathe, they must first fetch water from a single pipe and take it to the bathroom. There is no electricity.
The Zanu (PF) government in 2005 carried out a clean-up exercise, commonly referred to as Operation Murambatsvina, which destroyed illegal structures in the high density suburbs.
The Zanu (PF) government then crafted the Garikai/Hlalalani Khuhle scheme that was meant to offer “decent” accommodation to the hundreds of displaced people. It is now six years down the line and for the 19 families at Mushando Squatter camp, life is hell.
The place has become a haven of illegal activity such as robbery, black market dealings and the world’s oldest profession – prostitution.
The families there also said they were victims of politics as the Zanu (PF) government perceived them to be MDC-T supporters.
“We were victimized because the police, who were behind the operation, openly told us that we were the ones who were voting for MDC-T and we had no place to stay. One of them told us that we should go back to our roots and vote for MDC-T there,” said a resident at the squatter camp.
A high number of people at the camp are unemployed and the great majority of the unemployed are semi-skilled or unskilled.
“We were living well in our old shacks, but the government destroyed them. It was promised that we would be relocated to another place, but it is now six years and we have since lost all the hope.
“We are hopeless here. We are in total darkness. Our future seems bleak and we are all going to die of diseases if the government does not take this camp seriously,” said a resident who requested anonymity for fear of victimization.
“There is a lot of diseases and we are living in hell. I do not know whether the government is aware that there is a part like this one that needs to be looked at. We do not think we are Zimbabweans. Surely we think that we are living in another country not Zimbabwe,” said Rose Mutasa.
“They promised us houses under the Garikai scheme, but the few houses that were available were given to staunch Zanu (PF) supporters. Many of us are living in poverty. We do not know the motive behind our displacement. It is now even worse here. We are totally neglected and we do not see any help coming our way,” said another resident.
Contacted for a comment the Mutare City Council Town Clerk, Obert Muzawazi said: “As a council we are aware of the situation at Mushando Squatter camp. We are working frantically to rectify the situation.”
Muzawazi said the council had identified an alternative place to relocate the families and he hoped that by end of August the families would have been relocated.
“The living conditions there are totally unacceptable. As a council we have committed ourselves to relocate the families this month,” he said.
Local Non-Governmental Organizations, churches and individuals are giving hand-outs to the occupants. The residents have called upon the government to come to their rescue.
Post published in: News