Massive Murambatsvina remembrance activities set for two months

By Lance Guma
25 April 2006

It’s has been described by its co-ordinators as the ‘second biggest movement ever since the no vote campaign against Zanu PF’s proposed constitution of 2000.’ Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition says it is organising 2 months of nationwide activities to commemorate the brutal destruction of peoples homes and vending stalls under Operation Murambatsvina by police in May last year. Starting on the 18th of May, the first week will be dominated by overnight vigils, petitions, public meetings and various forms of theatre linked to the plight of victims of the ‘clean up.’ Stretching up to the 18th of July various other forms of protest and remembrance activities will follow.

Speaking to Newsreel on Tuesday Itai Zimunya, an advocacy officer with the coalition, says they are working on building up momentum towards the remembrance so as to make it a success. He is confident they have decentralized the planned activities in a way that will make it hard for security forces to disrupt. The coalition plans to have some form of activity in every town and city in the country. Theatre performances and public meetings in schools and churches accompanied by radio commentaries on cassette will be used to highlight the negative effects of the government sponsored clean up. Well-known theatre director and producer Davies Guzha is said to have already pledged to assist in writing the plays.

Zimunya says they want to take stock of everything that has happened and use the opportunity to seek assistance from well-wishers eager to help the victims. The remembrance will also raise political issues linked to the much touted Operation Garikai which the coalition says has failed to provide housing for the victims. ‘We want to know where the Z$3 trillion ear-marked for the project has gone to?’ Zimunya added.