It is now 8 years after the infamous cleanup campaign codenamed Operation Murambatsvina which displaced millions of people in Zimbabwe in 2005.
It has been a long eight years since the eviction started in Harare on the 19th of May 2005 and people’s lives have never been the same.
Official Government figures released on July 7, 2005 showed that the total number of people affected by Murambatsvina were 2.4 million which is 18% of the population. The United Nations (UN) estimated that Operation Murambatsvina affected at least 700,000 people directly.
Many people lost their properties and sources of livelihoods during the operation. The exercise was carried out during the winter season leading to many losing their lives due to the cold weather. Two babies were also crushed to death in their homes under the relentless shovels of bulldozers.
It is sad to note that the Operation was carried out in a military fashion by armed police and members of the army with minimal notification to the general populace and in contravention of the Constitution of Zimbabwe and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights to which Zimbabwe is a signatory.
It is regrettable that up to now many victims of the operation remain without any source of livelihood, many remain without a roof on their head and many have died due to unbearable conditions they have been forced to live in at squatter camps.
Families were broken, children lost out on attending school, many were forced into prostitution and yet little has been done to ensure that lives are restored.
Government in an attempt to cover up for the cruelty of operation Murambatsvina carried out a sham exercise dubbed Operation Garikai/ Hlalani Kuhle which was ill planned and failed to meet the overwhelming demand for accommodation.
Victims of Murambatsvina continue to suffer and their wounds have not been healed. It is HZT’s hope that the Government reintegrate these people and provide compensation as well as decent houses. No justice has been done over the years.
The Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission need to seriously look into this issue and proffer solutions to the victims. There is need to push the Government to fully take up the recommendations of UN Secretary General’s Special Envoy (the Tibaijuka Report), listed below:
• The need for the Government to compensate those whose property was unlawfully destroyed.
• The Government should create a conducive environment for effective relief.
• The need for reconstruction and resettlement.
• Ensuring unhindered access of humanitarian workers and delivery of aid to victims of the operation.
• Holding to account those responsible for planning and executing the operation, including through prosecution where laws were broken.
• Granting full citizenship to former migrant workers residing for a long period in Zimbabwe and their descendants.
Heal Zimbabwe Trust
