residence, those without formal jobs and no offer letter for housing stands were told that they would be compulsorily transported to their rural areas of origin.84 Those with valid lease agreements were told that they would return to properly demarcated housing stands.85 Although a number of people from the camp were transported to housing stands in places such as Hatcliffe Extension, many others were reportedly transported to the rural areas.86 In addition, police relocated over 2000 men, women and children from the transit camp to a place called Hopley Farm along Masvingo road, reportedly for further vetting by government officials.87 Lawyers and UN officials informed Human Rights Watch that people initially spent weeks at the farm without shelter, food or other basic necessities, as the government at first refused to allow humanitarian agencies on to the farm. The agencies were later able to negotiate access to assist the people.88 It is an open question as to who will benefit from the reconstruction operation. The criterion for allocating houses seems to discriminate against those without formal employment or housing.89 The government has yet to clarify whether the thousands that have moved to the rural areas will be compensated for the houses and businesses they lost. The government has claimed that the reconstruction phase of the evictions will restore dignity to the affected population.90 But thousands of people are now internally displaced and remain homeless and destitute with little or no access to shelter, food or water. Human Rights Consequences of Operation Murambatsvina Human Rights Watch conducted interviews with many people who were affected and displaced as a result of Operation Murambatsvina. They represent a vivid cross-section of the Zimbabwean population in the affected areas. Women, children, persons living 84 Ibid. 85 op cit. See also ReliefWeb, “Zimbabwe to relocate people affected in demolition campaign,” July 21, 2005. 86 Human Rights Watch telephone interviews, August 17 and 18, 2005. See also The Sunday Mail, Zimbabwe, “Caledonia officially closed,” July 24, 2005. 87 Ibid. 88 Ibid. See also IRIN News online, “UN hopes for greater access to displaced,” August 15, 2005. 89 This report has documented the fact that the majority of people affected by the evictions work in the informal sector and lived in informal housing and thus do not qualify to receive housing. See also report by the UN Special Envoy op cit. 90 Response by Government of Zimbabwe to the report by the UN Special Envoy on Operation Murambatsvina/ Restore Order, August 17, 2005.