1. Introduction Meltdown The current report is the third by Solidarity Peace Trust to document the mass demolitions in Zimbabwe and their aftermath. It is now one year since an estimated 700,000 people had their lives ruined by the wanton and illegal destruction of their homes and/or livelihoods; another 2,4 million are estimated to have suffered related losses. One year on, the desperate plight of those immediately affected has not been alleviated. Zimbabwe has degenerated into ever-greater poverty and crisis over the last ten years. A decade ago, Zimbabweans had among the most economically and socially secure urban populations in sub-Saharan Africa. In 1991, an estimated 25 to 30% were below the poverty datum line, with only 10 to 15% earning less than the minimum industrial wage. A majority of male headed urban households were employed in the formal sector, and social services functioned fairly well.3 The speed with which this situation has degenerated has been unprecedented: by 2003, the Zimbabwe National Vulnerability Assessment Committee defined 72% of urban households as poor, and 57% as very poor – able to afford only food. The proportion of urban dwellers below the poverty datum line had trebled in twelve years.4 By May 2005, employment in the formal sector stood at only 20%; domestic health, education and legal systems had almost collapsed; more than 80% of the population was estimated to be below the poverty datum line. Already at that point, an estimated 70% of Zimbabweans of economically productive age were estimated to be outside their nation, on the run as illegal immigrants, or eking out an existence as cross border traders5. Inflation was around 500%. It was against this background of escalating poverty and social disintegration that the demolitions took place in June and July. In December 2005, the speed with which the demolitions had accelerated social decline was aptly referred to by UN Envoy Jan Egeland as having precipitated “not just a crisis, but a meltdown”.6 One year on, we assess the state of meltdown for those most affected. Zimbabwe’s inflation rate is now over 1,000% per annum, with no turning point in sight. The formal sector continues to shrink; more Zimbabweans are forced into the Diaspora, causing accompanying collapse of family and social units. Collapse of social services and family units has escalated HIV deaths. Most tragically, those who lost homes and livelihoods as a result of OM have received close to no assistance: they remain in illegal dwellings, or in shockingly over congested urban housing: their sources of income in the informal sector remain largely criminalised. There is no sign of economic recovery or of any imminent political breakthrough. 2006 may well be Zimbabwe’s bleakest year yet. 3 Figures cited in D. Potts, “ ‘Restoring Order’ ? Operation Murambatsvina and the Urban Crisis in Zimbabwe”; Journal of Southern African Studies, Vol 32, Number 2, June 2006. 4 Ibid, page 274. 5 Zimbabwe has a population of around 12,000,000 with an adult population of less than 5,000,000; more than 3,000,000 are estimated to be in the Diaspora, either permanently, or as regular cross border traders. These figures are notoriously fluid and as most border crossings are illegal, are very difficult to clarify. 6 Zimbabwe Independent, 9 December 2005: “Egeland endorses Tibaijuka report”. 12