Posted on 06/24/2005 5:29:41 PM PDT by blam
Mugabe orders army to rebuild shanty homes
By Christopher Munnion in Johannesburg
(Filed: 25/06/2005)
President Robert Mugabe has mobilised Zimbabwe's army to build new houses for those made homeless by his "clean-up" operation that flattened and burnt shanty towns across the country.
In a policy U-turn following a seven-hour meeting of his politburo, he announced that the military had been ordered to lead a task force to begin reconstruction.
"Building brigades" would start work immediately to build houses, shops and markets to replace those destroyed by the police in Operation Murambatsvina (Drive out the Rubbish), said Ephraim Masawi, the politburo spokesman. According to human rights groups, more than one million of the poorest Zimbabweans have been turned into the streets by special police units bulldozing and setting fire to townships.
Many, including the very elderly, women with babies and the disabled have been forced to spend freezing nights in the bush without shelter. At least 46,000 have been arrested.
The opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) described yesterday's move as "a panic reaction by Mugabe" to the international outcry over the destruction of the shanty areas.
"Any new development these troops build will be cosmetic to deflect criticism ahead of the G8 meeting and the visit of the UN special envoy next week," a spokesman said.
The MDC said that what little government housing was available was allocated only to people who could produce a membership card for the ruling Zanu-PF Party.
"They will force these people to join Zanu-PF if they want a roof over the heads," the spokesman said.
Other analysts claimed that Mr Mugabe was angry at the heavy-handed way that police units, said to have been reinforced by paramilitary youth groups, carried out the operation. At least three children were killed when the shacks were demolished.
Patrick Chinamasa, the justice minister, admitted that "harm" had been caused to legitimate housing in the clean-up to "flush out black marketeers and criminals".
Bizarre
What a moron. He should build hotels there, for the public benefit.
Mugabe is stark,raving mad!!!!!
He should have built a Pfizer compound in their place, then it would be no problem.
"Mugabe must have gotten a 'signal' from somewhere...international I suspect."
Either that or some of his buddies own a Lumber Mill and needed the work. :P
Yeah, Bob Geldoff told him to rebuild the homes or he'd withold the millions slated to be funneled to his private Swiss account from the upcoming Live8 concert.
This is the equivelent of six Marshall Plans. (The money the US gave to rebuild Europe after WW-2.)
I can believe it. My post was not made in jest.
I expect there will be some grand houses built on some nice (formerly blighted) acreage. But the former residents won't be living in them.
Mugabe has been their "leader" since the 80's...
He must be deeply loved by the people....
They "won" independence, and home rule...
What the hell is the complaint???
Life will NOT improve in Zimbabwe, until they kill Mugabe and ALL who stand with him.
Semper Fi
When the old Wharf in SW washington DC was torn down . all the people who had businesses at the old Wharf were promised first shot at the new reconstructed Wharf, LOL That was funny , none of them got back Marriotts and others with big bucks built and got the new waterfront while the old residents got squat. Look for this in Zimbabwe The old residents wont get to live in the new homes.
His head needs a lead injection, posthaste.
Ok...Now I know... and i think most of the Freeper's comment about him is now confirmed..and WOW! it was Mugabe who confirmed it...
He's better to be the President of the Jurassic Park...
This is socialist/liberal window dressing for the evil Mainstream Media to disseminate. Mugabe and the Marxist scum have no intention of rebuilding all that they destroyed.
Personally I believe he's a schizophrenic (sp?) madman.
Doesn't do much to bring back the two babies he crushed to death with a bulldozer.
I read in another article that the archbishop of Zimbabwe is urging the UN to arrest Mugabe. Last night we watched Hotel Rwanda on PPV....it was chilling (and worth the rental price). The world, least of all the UN, didn't care then, it doesn't care now.
"At least three children were killed when the shacks were demolished."
I think the U.S. Supreme Court must getting inspiration for its decisions by studying Zimbabwe's standard of property rights. Mugabe has so much to teach us about taking property for the "public interest!"
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