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This article participates on the following special index pages: CHRA
statement on the arrests of vendors in Harare and the destruction of property
by the ZRP The brutal and callous attacks on vendors in Harare this week under the guise of "Operation Murambatsvina" are indicative of the mugabe regime's attitude to the citizens of Zimbabwe. Far from being the "restoration of the rule of law" in the city, the actions of zanu-pf's police force were the violent action of a dictatorial regime bent on crushing the people. As we saw in the round-up of so-called street kids last year, this regime has no answers for any of the numerous ills they have caused, only violence and repression. The Makwavarara Commission is nothing but a tool of these oppressors and its commissioners collaborators in the ongoing destruction of our city. It was the corrupt administration of zanu-pf mayor Solomon Tawengwa in the nineties that allowed many illegal activities to flourish in our city. From preventing the slashing of stream bank maize to taking bribes for illegal buildings, 'Kokokora' Tawengwa and the then council turned a blind eye to (and took part in) many anti-social activities in an attempt to garner populist support whilst filling their own pockets. For this zanu-pf commission to now do a 180° turn must be seen as a serious comment on their consistency, their 'policies' and their very ability to run a city. The truth of the matter is that most vendors are legitimate players in the life of our city, doing the best they can to survive in the face of a vicious onslaught on all facets of life in Zimbabwe by the criminals who have occupied our State. These economic saboteurs have destroyed the economy of the country, forcing millions into economic and political exile. They have nothing to offer except some vague "Look East" policy which in reality means collaboration with the economic neo-imperialists of China and the sale of our homeland to zhing-zhong merchants. The assaults on Chinese shopkeepers in Harare last week are signs of a growing anger of our citizens. Zimbabweans do not want cheap imports. We want jobs in factories owned and run by Zimbabweans. We want a prosperous economy owned and driven by Zimbabweans. We want water in our taps, our children in schools, medicines in our hospitals. Most of all we want a future for ourselves and our children. Zanu-pf can offer none of these things. Having stolen a third election, this regime can do nothing but preside over the empty carcass of the country it has ruined, fighting over its bones and sucking the very marrow dry. We appeal to residents and citizens not to be provoked by state-sponsored violence against them. Do not respond with violence as this will only give the regime the excuse it is looking for to impose even greater dictatorial repression. We must respond by rejecting violence, rejecting the occupied State and creating our own structures outside of the occupied State. Citizens must create their own liberated zones, both inside their minds and on the ground. Residents must come together to create collective community initiatives around food, health, education and other areas that reject the zanu-pf totalitarian vision. Yet again, CHRA calls for
Reject the fascist actions of the oppressive regime! No Taxation Without Representation! Boycott all Council charges until municipal elections! Visit the CHRA fact sheet Please credit www.kubatana.net if you make use of material from this website. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License unless stated otherwise.
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