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Petition presented to the UN Secretary General on the crisis in Zimbabwe a year after Operation Murambatsvina
Zimbabwean Civil Society Organisations in South Africa
July 31, 2006

WE, the undersigned Zimbabwean Civil Society Organisations in South Africa, Regional Civil Society and Faith Based Organisations and individuals in solidarity with the people of Zimbabwe, hereby petition the United Nations through the office of the Secretary General, on the humanitarian crisis facing the people of Zimbabwe as a result of the government-induced ‘tsunami’ - Operation Murambatsvina.

SINCE 18 MAY 2006, civil society, faith based organisations and individuals in Zimbabwe and in the region, have marked the first anniversary of Operation Murambatsvina through a series of commemorative events. In this two months period, it became apparent to us that despite the UN having sent two envoys to Zimbabwe on fact finding missions on Operation Murambatsvina, the government of Zimbabwe has not only ignored the reports and their recommendations, but has intensified its fight against the poor.

IN ORDER TO COW THE PEOPLE, the government of Zimbabwe embarked on a spree of harassment against those mourning their beloved ones who were victims to Operation Murambatsvina, both inside and outside Zimbabwe.

WE wish to inform the United Nations and the world at large that indeed the government of Zimbabwe has built slightly more than 5 000 houses since Operation Garikayi was launched. These houses are not occupied by people whose shelters were destroyed; they are occupied by individuals who are used by the government of Zimbabwe to oppress the poor.

WE want the world to know that more people’s lives have been destroyed as a direct result of Operation Murambatsvina than the number of houses built under Operation Garikayi.

WE APPEAL FOR THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS:

• The United Nations Secretary General takes it as his responsibility to inform the world of the unfolding genocide in Zimbabwe as a result of Operation Murambatsvina and other reckless and irresponsible actions of the government of Zimbabwe.
• The United Nations exerts pressure on the government of Zimbabwe to mediate with its own people rather some imagined forces outside Zimbabwe.
• The United Nations Secretary General makes a public statement a year after Operation Murambatsvina as he did at the beginning of the Zimbabwean 'tsunami'.
• The United Nations insists that the government of Zimbabwe implement the recommendations of the UN Special Envoy Tibaijuka.

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