By Tendai Kwari
Corruption is the rotten and stinking Albatross slung around our necks. The demolition of houses in Zimbabwe is brutal, heartless, sad and inhuman. Over 700 000 people were affected by Operation Murambatsvina in 2005. Many have still not recovered from that operation.
Firstly, if these structures being destroyed are built on land designated for other purposes, who allowed the structures to go ahead in the first place? Who sold the plots or stands? Why were the structures allowed to go ahead?
There is no way a competent government will allow houses to be built on wetlands, on top of the sewer system and directly under electric cables. Sadly, we do not have a competent government in Zimbabwe.
Secondly, my fellow Zimbabweans, are we that gullible? Have we got such a short memory? Have we already forgotten Murambatsvina 2005? Surely, in this modern era, we cannot allow anyone to build or put up any structure anywhere.
We should learn and endeavour to stop corruption by demanding legal procedures to be followed; otherwise we are the ones fuelling corruption and are the victims as well. Who is to blame then? Is it solely the government to blame?
It is mainly corruption bedevilling Zimbabwe and the government has dismally failed to curb it. There is no doubt that some residential stands on undesignated council land were parcelled out for political mileage in violation of the Regional Town and Council Planning Act and the Urban Councils Act.
Partisan officials, corrupt political leaders subvert the law and perpetuate their politics of patronage.
The one who suffers is the ordinary man and woman on the street. If you know anyone or you are one of the victims of this corruption, get organised and demand your money back from the unscrupulous government officials, business people or politicians.
This issue is above partisan lines. Seeking political mileage from this sad state of affairs is hypocritical, misguided and immature. Both Zanu PF and MDC officials made a lucrative business by parcelling out illegal plots on wetlands and other prohibited areas.
Statements like “the MDC-T, which controlled most urban local authorities around the country are responsible” or “before the July 31 elections, Zanu PF MPs encouraged people to illegally construct houses in exchange for votes” are reckless and belated.
Above all these shenanigans, as we continue to fuel corruption, we must remember that thousands of children will get affected this winter. Thousands will be homeless. The poor will get poorer. The politicians and corrupt government officials are smiling all the way to the bank.
Today, take a stand. Say NO to Corruption. Stop greasing the corrupt government official and politician. We are the victims and should demand an end to corruption.
Yes, corruption is the maggot infested Albatross slung around our necks.
“God save thee, ancient Mariner. From the fiends, that plague thee thus, Why look’st thou so? – With my cross-bow I shot the ALBATROSS. Ah.. well a-day, what evil looks had I from old and young. Instead of the cross, the Albatross about my neck was hung.” Coleridge (1798)
