Bulawayo churches to commemorate Murambatsvina 2 years on

By Tererai Karimakwenda
May 23, 2007

On Saturday all churches in Bulawayo, under the Christian Alliance banner, will be hosting a commemoration of Operation Murambatsvina, the government’s destructive so-called cleanup exercise that displaced almost a million people two years ago. The main event will be held at the Bulawayo Baptist Church at 10:00 AM. Pastor Ray Motsi from the Alliance told us they wanted people to know what has happened to the victims so far and give the victims themselves a chance to testify about their experiences.
The Pastor explained further saying: “We actually live with these people. We have been in touch with these people from the very beginning. We have been trying to bring about some aid and to give projects to these people like chicken rearing and market gardening. And we’ve tried to resettle some of these people in the rural areas and give them some basic implements to use.” Motsi said in a situation like this their assistance is a “drop in the ocean.” He stressed that many of the victims have not been able to improve their livelihood.
The government has been accused of trying to block much of the good will extended to Murambatsvina victims for the last two years. Pastor Motsi said some victims were displaced several times and have not been able to get back on their feet. As far as their records show, Motsi said not a single house built under the government’s re-housing project, Operation Garikai, has been given to the needy victims.
On Thursday the human rights watchdog Amnesty International released a report for 2007 which said the plight of victims of Murambatsvina was worsening. Pastor Motsi agreed, saying this is why they organized the commemorations on Saturday in Bulawayo.