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Bulawayo mayor and council given a week to stop involvement in Operation Murambatsvina
Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA)
June 21, 2006

Twenty members of Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) met with Bulawayo Mayor, Japhet Ndabeni-Ncube at 10:30 this morning as part of their ongoing campaign to defend their right to earn a living through informal trade. This campaign is being conducted around the UN World Refugee Day on 20 June with the message that we are refugees in our own country and our lives may have been stolen but the flame of hope still burns and along with it, the right to earn a living.

The business this morning at City Hall was to inform the Mayor that women are unhappy with the Bulawayo City Council supporting the oppressive Operation Murambatsvina being conducted by a Government that is at war with its own people.

Members present at the meeting complained that Council officials and police were harassing vendors, indiscriminately taking their goods and in some instances, demanding bribes from the desperate vendors. A report was made by a woman from Njube who had her outside cooking area demolished by a council police officer some weeks ago. She had erected a temporary structure so as to cook outside during the frequent power cuts.

Members also asked for help as to how they could become legal vendors when the registration process had become politicised. Some have reported that they are asked to produce Zanu PF party cards before they can be processed for vending licences. Although WOZA as an organisation deals with socio-economic issues rather than party political issues, in the current polarised climate in Zimbabwe, anyone perceived to criticise government policy is accused of being a member of an opposition party rather than a defender of rights.

The Mayor made notes and promised to look into the issues raised by the women. He went on to explain that Council had been a respondent in a successful High Court application wherein vendors were to be returned to their places of trade but Council was to erect structures. He indicated that he had made a representation to Government requesting a temporary reprieve to allow trade whilst council seek funds to erect said structure. He was still hopeful of a sympathetic response from the Ministry as the High Court had ordered.

The meeting ended with the members of WOZA asking the Mayor to put an end to Council involvement in the activities of Operation Murambatsvina that are further burdening mothers who are hard pressed to educate and feed their children. The delegation delivered placards with messages sent by members. One read "Council officials you have tormented us enough! We are pushed to the limit!" Another said, "WOZA demand the right to earn a living - stop the looting by Council officials."

The leadership of WOZA have resolved to give the Mayor and Council one week to reform or face a dose of "Tough Love".

Visit the WOZA fact sheet

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