Demolition of Houses in Harare

Illegal House being demolished in Harare 2016

In the year of our Lord 2005, the government of Zimbabwe orchestrated an operation called 'Operation Murambatsvina'. To those who were not there then you need to take a short retrospection of this event. Unemployment was increasing sharply in Zimbabwe Those that were affected started operating flea markets and tuck shops. 

This operation was a direct criminalisation of the informal sector and for sure they were made to shut down operations. Domestic accommodation made up of shakes was also affected as people were forced to demolish their own property.....more like face your own music...and those that resisted faced the full wrath of the law. The government employed brutal force as it used members of the armed force as well as armed policemen. They used bulldozers, sledgehammers and flamethrowers. There was intimidation and all acts of barbarism. The situation was indeed very tense. Homelessness began for about 2 million people. The UN condemned this heinous crime against humanity. People were moved to Caledonia Farm, on the periphery of Harare. This place, according to others, resembled detention centres of the 1970's war period. The president of the republic did not see anything wrong with this operation. 

Immediately after this then came into being Operation Garikai/Hlalani Kuhle. This was a resettlement of the people who had been displaced by the former operation. This one is also dubbed 'a scandal of dismal and ZANU PF patronage '. This operation was an attempt to redress the damages of the former. But how successful was it? 

Listen to this:

In November 2005, 20 houses in Chinhoyi collapsed after the first rains.

Sewer pipes could not be laid because it emerged houses were built on bedrock - Bulawayo. (Do we first build or we service the land first, and whose job is it?)

In January 2006 contractors started pulling out due to non payments. This resulted in the authorities handing over unfinished houses to occupants, who were then asked to finance the completion of this project. 

This long review of these two operations is deliberate. I want us as Zimbabweans to see how much deceitful our government is. The same government is heartless, insensitive and full of empty promises. I know people who died of heart attack after having their houses demolished. And the song continues like a tale told by an idiot, 'full of sound and fury but signifying nothing!!' 

Ten years down the government has legalised and instituted a wanton and heartless demolition of houses along the airport road. The reason being given---they are an eyesore to visitors. Gushungo cannot stand the site of them. That's wonderful is it not?? 

Well you get me. 

Now what shall those home owners do? Who gave out those 1000 pieces of land to those people? If it was illegal, why give the stands anyway? Our government is vindictive, frivolous and cruel. Surely when those people were constructing these houses the authorities could see. Remember it's not a pre-made structure that is put together elsewhere and then brought to the stand- and construction was done during the day.  Someone somewhere must answer to crimes against humanity. With this sad news ZANU PF will still claim they liberated the people. But to me it's a simple issue, from the frying pan into the fire!! 

Our country needs some divine intervention. Some of these house owners will never in their entire life time have this singular opportunity to erect a piece of shelter over their heads. Some money was even borrowed to complete the construction. Maybe there is gonna be another Operation Garikai/Hlalani Kuhle!! Who knows? 

Remember 2018 is around the corner, and my brethren and sisteren, we have the memory of the gold fish. Tears will be dry. We shall be chanting along Tambaoga's 'Rambai Makashinga'!!!

I rest my case. 

And may the good Lord bring his mercies to this heartlessness!!

Courtesy of Daniel Nyaude

Daniel Nyaude

Daniel Nyaude is a member of Freedom Justice Coalition Zimbabwe Party Elders Council. He is also the Disciplinary Committee Chairperson and a key member of the Research Team based in Pretoria.