UN envoy 'praised Zim'
01/07/2005 11:08 - (SA)
Harare - A special United Nations envoy sent to investigate Zimbabwe's controversial campaign of shack demolitions praised President Robert Mugabe's government for its "vision", the state-run Herald newspaper claimed on Friday.
The paper said Anna Tibaijuka, the head of UN-Habitat, told cabinet ministers on Thursday that the Zimbabwe government had shown its "seriousness" in allocating housing stands to homeless people.
"The allocation of stands for housing is a reflection of the seriousness of government. Operation Garikai (Settle and Prosper) is good. The vision is clear," Tibaijuka was quoted as saying.
Police launched a wave of shack demolitions, dubbed Operation Restore Order, in May, in what the authorities said was a bid to restore order and cleanliness to Zimbabwe's cities and towns. At least 300,000 people were made homeless.
The government now says that Operation Restore Order has been replaced by Operation Settle and Prosper, which will see new houses constructed on a massive scale.
Tibaijuka was taken to see four model houses that have been constructed at a site just outside Harare, in a constituency won by Mugabe's ruling Zimbabwe African National Union - Patriotic Front (Zanu-PF) in parliamentary elections in March.
"I believe this is the beginning of the beginning. UN-Habitat is looking forward to working with you," the Herald, which closely reflects the government line, quoted Tibaijuka as saying.
Tibaijuka is due to compile a report on her assessment of the demolitions campaign, which will be presented to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.
The campaign has provoked local and international outrage. Zimbabwe's main opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) says it does not believe the government has the resources to carry out the construction of the promised houses.
Zimbabwe is currently in the grips of a severe economic crisis, with inflation running at more than 144%. Fuel, foreign currency and cement are in short supply. - Sapa-dpa
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So, she was with them before she was against them?
No news, that.
"deserving" = Party Member.
Can you imagine the the uproar if the Zim leadership were white?
This is so Through the Looking Glass.
many of them forced to destroy their own houses at gunpoint. Several people have also been killed by falling rubble or in accidents involving vehicles used in the operation.
Hell, if Mugabe wants to cite international law, like our own US Supreme Court does...
He could just cite a certain recent US Supreme Court decision!