1 Social, Economic and Political Context of “Operation Murambatsvina” (Operation Restore Order) 1.1 Introduction On 19 May 2005, with little or no warning, a military-style “clean-up” operation started in the Zimbabwe capital, Harare. It quickly developed into a deliberate nationwide campaign, destroying what the Government termed illegal vending sites, structures, other informal business premises and homes, literally displacing hundreds of thousands of people. Termed “Operation Murambatsvina” by the Government (hereafter referred to as Operation Restore Order), and commonly referred to by the people as “Operation Tsunami”, the army and police were mobilised to carry out the demolitions and evictions. 1.2 Operation Murambatsvina (Operation Restore Order) The first official announcement that a comprehensive “operation” was underway in Zimbabwe, came in a speech by the Chairperson of the Government-appointed Harare Commission, Ms. Sekesai Makwavarara, on 19 May 2005 at the Harare Town House.1 She characterized it as “a programme to enforce bylaws to stop all forms of illegal activity”, and said it would be enforced “in conjunction with Zimbabwe Republican Police (ZRP).” Five days later, the City of Harare issued a notice, indicating to the people in the Greater Harare area that persons who had erected illegal structures should demolish them by 20 June 2005. There is no evidence that advance notice was given in other cities in Zimbabwe to which the Operation was extended. One day prior to this speech, the Governor of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, Dr. Gideon Gono, had announced his Post Election and Drought Mitigation Monetary Policy Statement. In it he outlined structural and operational deficiencies of the financial system. Reference was made to the various forms of corruption and indiscipline in the economy and the need for the reorientation of the law enforcement systems in fighting such challenges.2 There has been speculation as to the timing of the speech, and the Governor’s role in triggering the operation. 3 On 25 May, only a few days after the notice appeared, and in complete disregard of the deadline announced, a massive military style operation started in Harare, Bulawayo and other cities, targeting first and foremost vendors’ markets, flea markets, other informal market premises and “illegal” housing structures. Twenty thousand vendors countrywide were reported arrested within a week of the operation. The operation involved the destruction of flea markets and housing used for many years by informal traders and vendors. It also involved the bulldozing, smashing and burning of structures housing many thousands of poor urban dwellers. Eyewitnesses said the police beat some people who offered resistance, or who did not demolish their houses quickly enough.4 Throughout the month of June the operation targeted practically 1 Entire text of the speech was published in The Herald on 28 May 2005 and is attached to this report as Annex 3 of Section A. 2 “Perspectives on the Ills of Corruption” Supplement 4 of 5 to the January-April 2005 Monetary Policy Review Statement Delivered by the Governor of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, Dr. G. Gono (May 2005) 3 In his meeting with the Special Envoy, the Governor claimed, however, that it was mere coincidence and that he had absolutely no idea about Operation Restore Order. 4 “Order out of Chaos, or Chaos out of Order? A Preliminary Report on Operation Murambatsvina” a report by the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum, June 2005. 12