By Kowanai Mhlanga
The Sunday Mail of 24 May, 2015, screamed a headline, “This Madness Must Stop! “The author of the article rightly mentioned that there is really nothing left in the Sunshine City, save for the imposing infrastructure, which he alleged is among the best on the continent.
Edwin Mwase, It’s not madness, but a reflection of national leadership.
For the record, what is obtaining is not confined to Harare alone. This is the national outlook. Mutare used to be neat, and so were Masvingo and Gweru. The filth and disorder has permeated every corner of the country.
But is this new?
No matter the amount of trauma that Zimbabweans have gone through, I am sure, we are all aware that on 19 May 2005, exactly a decade ago, this government, together with local authorities launched what probably stands as the most cruel operation code named Operation Murambatsvina/ Restore Order. Why?
Perhaps, because the amount of dirt then, was unprecedented.
How did it begin?
It started when supermarkets and wholesalers were being fined millions of Zimbabwean dollars (may that currency rest in peace) for overcharging and hoarding of basic commodities. Then commuter Omnibus pick-up and drop-off points were changed, heralding the beginning by commuters to walk across the breadth of town to board omnibuses.
The “noble’ operation took a new twist when it spread to the rest of the country, with Harare Metropolitan Governor (May his soul rest in eternal peace) ordering war veterans and other illegal settlers at farms and other unlawful settlements in the city to destroy their properties (The Herald, 26 May, 2005).
But what was the rationale for OM then which has since been surpassed by the obtaining ’mess’?
There were grand statements that were made by overzealous authorities, justifying the action that the government and local authorities were going to take.
The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) Governor, Gideon Gono was quoted in the RBZ report of 20 May, 2005 as having said;
“………………the policy of the state is now to move against individuals, where the rot needs thorough cleansing. We enjoy the support of all law enforcement arms of the state and government itself to win the battle against indiscipline, corruption, illegality and the sheer madness that we have been witnessing on the streets at airports and border posts.”
The chairperson of the Harare Commission Ms Sekesai Makwavarara was not to be outdone and she had this to say;
“……………Violation of the by-laws of vending, traffic control, illegal structures, touting/abuse of commuters by rank official, street life/ prostitution, vandalism of property and infrastructure, stock theft, illegal cultivation among others have led to the deterioration of standards, thus negatively affecting the image of the city. The attitude of members of the public as well as some city official has led to a point whereby Harare has lost its glow. We are determined to bring it back”.
Source: The Chronicle, 12 June 2005.
Yes, the Harare City management was trying to retain the city to its Sunshine status, and still is trying.
So many assumptions were made with respect to the rationale of the exercise as summarised below;
- The shakeup would trigger urban-rural migration
- The local authorities and the government would have the capacity to meet the needs of the remaining population
- Living conditions of slum dwellers would be improved through Operation Garikai which was poised to meet the housing backlog by 2008
- Created would be a clean urban environment, with Harare regaining the Sunshine status that it used to enjoy and
- That would be the first step towards meeting the Millennium Development Goal number seven
It is now a decade since the exercise was launched, and Mwase is screaming, “This Madness Must Stop!
Who can stop the mess? Who has caused the mess?
As a reminder, the permanent infrastructure and common denominator in Zimbabwe’s national politics is Robert Gabriel Mugabe. By then he had no such titles as Comander- in- Chief of Zimbabwe Defence Forces. He was simply called the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe.
Wife to the President was Grace Mugabe, and fortunately, she still is. Of course, she now wields power as Women’s League Chairperson of Zanu PF.
At that time the man occupying the imposing Makombe Building, as the Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing was Dr Ignatious Chombo, and he still remains one. Therefore he is the permanent infrastructure.
At the Supreme Court, the Chief Justice was Chidyausiku, he still is one. The above are the common denominators.
The numerators are long are long gone. Dr Gideon Gono has since left the post of RBZ Governor. Sekai Makwavarara is into farming. Joyce Mujuru has since been deposed as vice president so are Didmas Mutasa and others.
Who is to blame?
Unfortunately, I will not beat about the bush, in trying to locate the source of the madness that Edwin Mwase tried to conceal.
The First Lady, in an effort to endear herself with the goon Zanu PF supporters remarked during her address at one rally, that women should be allowed to trade their goods in the street.
Word of a leader in Africa is always followed no matter how irrational it might be. And which council official can go against the word of the `queen` of Zimbabwe.
Yes, as elsewhere, the Harare City Council officials might be corrupt to the point of allowing by-laws being flouted.
Yes, the City of Harare might have `autonomous powers` over the governance of the city through an Act of Parliament as well as under Section 264 and 265 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe.
But who is the constitution of Zimbabwe?
The permanent infrastructure and common denominator who is also the constitution, not only of Zanu PF but Zimbabwe is to blame for all what is going on. He has presided over the collapse of the economy. What can people do? After all this is the empowerment they have been talking about.
Who dare challenge him? Where is Joyce Mujuru? Where is Didmus Mutasa?
He has allowed everything to go his way. He keeps a corrupt minister who occupies the imposing Makombe Building.
Dr Chombo as the beneficiary of the rot will not tell the truth. He is not serious when he urges local authorities to engage the vendors and find an amicable solution. Any local authority official who takes the law as it is will be sacked by the minister.
After all, selling in the midst of the road is Zanu PF empowerment.
As one of the government secretaries remarked at one workshop, “ the form of a local authority reflects its leadership.” And indeed the form of this nation is a direct reflection of the national leadership. Wither Harare, wither Zimbabwe! Exactly full independence.
Kowanai Mhlanga is a social commentator and he writes in his own capacity
