Zimbabwe groups demand UN action

Zimbabwe groups demand UN action

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By Magugu Nyathi

OVER 300 Zimbabweans and SA solidarity organisations under the banner of the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition and the South African Women's Institute of Migration marched on the United Nations (UN) offices in Tshwane Thursday.

The protestors were demanding that the UN implements the recommendations made by Anna Tibaijuka, the UN special envoy who visited Zimbabwe after Operation Murambatsvina which left more than 700 000 people homeless.

Singing liberation songs and carrying placards that denounced Mugabe for calling the people of Zimbabwe "filth", the Zimbabweans picketed at the UN offices.

Addressing the marchers, Joyce Dube from SAWIMA urged Mugabe to repent before he dies.

She said: "Mugabe you have wronged your people, they are angry for what you did to them and therefore be like Saul who repented before he died, apologise to the people before you die for all your wrong doing in destroying their homes and livelihoods. Can't you see they are suffering in different parts of the world?"

Elinor Sisulu of Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition (SA) said: "What do we say about a government which destroya people's homes in the middle of winter, what do we say about a govt which calls its people filth? We really need to do something.

"This march is just one of many actions that need to be taken to remind regional governments and the public at large about the continuing impact of Operation Murambatsvina on the people of Zimbabwe and the region at large."

She added: "It seems that governments, regional institutions and the public at large seem to have forgotten the recommendations of the UN Special Envoy, Anna Tibaijuka, which is a pity because the recommendations were really good and if implemented, would go a long way to addressing the suffering of the many victims."

Sisulu said it would be foolhardy to imagine that "one little march in Pretoria" can force Mugabe to change.

She said: "This would require sustained and concerted action by Zimbabweans and solidarity forces in the region over a long period of time.

"The impact of the petition would be to remind the UN, the Zimbabwe government and the region of the Tibaijuka recommendations. It will inform members of the Zimbabwean community and the South African public of the recommendations and it will increase public and media awareness of the ongoing impact of Operation Murambatsvina."

Accepting the petition signed by over 300 organisations and individuals, the UN representative Michael Loungstrom said: "I am not in a position to respond to this petition now but I will make sure it gets to the Secretary General (Kofi Annan)."

Last year in May, the Zimbabwe government launched an urban blitz to clean up the "filth". The government targeted illegal market stalls, squatter camps, businesses and residential houses.

The UN estimates up to 700 000 people were left homeless.

President Robert Mugabe insisted that the demolitions were part of a wider plan to clean up the urban areas, reinstate order, rid the cities of criminal activities, and restore dignity to the people.
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