Suchergebnisse

Examines "Murambatsvina," the Zimbabwe government's attack on the informal trade & housing that began to mushroom in the cities in May of 2005. The police systematically destroyed the shacks & vendor stalls that were the livelihood of thousands of individuals who had lost their jobs due to Zimbabwe's failed economic structural adjustment program. United Nation statistics indicate that at least 700,000 people lost their homes & businesses within six weeks. Although the government claimed these places were illegal, the real reason for the attacks was the collapsed economy, the need to retain power in the face of failed policies, & growing support for the opposition party. It is argued that the "operation" was blatantly illegal & violated constitutional rights. It was initiated by a small group within the government who employed the language of genocide & blamed the victims. Responses by the victims, witnesses/bystanders, the Zimbabwean government, & the international community are described. Lessons to be learned from Murambatsvina & whether it constitutes a form of genocide are discussed. References. J. Lindroth