One of the country's most reputable art galleries was reduced to rubble on Monday when the police operation 'murambatsvina' moved into the low density suburb of Hatfield. The gallery, strategically placed on the road to Harare International Airport, is one of the country's most successful and played host to world renowned Zimbabwean artists. Council trucks could be seen milling around the area as policemen supervised the destruction.

Mike Davies of the Combined Harare Ratepayers Association described the move as an attempt to impoverish people and make them dependent on Zanu PF patronage. Although there are three art galleries in the area it was not possible for Newsreel to confirm which of the three had been destroyed. One of the galleries closest to the airport had its plans approved with a little help from Vice President Joseph Msika and is unlikely to have been touched.

Government at the weekend threatened to move into the affluent, northern suburbs and destroy buildings which were not sanctioned by the city council. The destruction of the art gallery is seen as the first step in this new plan to make life unbearable for all Zimbabweans.