Posted on 06/15/2005 5:17:25 PM PDT by blam
Thousands more lose homes to Mugabe
By Christopher Munnion in Johannesburg
(Filed: 16/06/2005)
Zimbabwean security forces armed with batons and teargas have evicted thousands from a township outside the second city of Bulawayo.
Police fought running battles with residents of the Makokoba township after torching or bulldozing their homes, as a woman stripped naked in the street in mute protest.
According to police, more than 20,000 people have already seen their shanty homes or businesses destroyed since President Mugabe's "Restore Order" campaign began on May 19.
The United Nations believes at least 200,000 people have been left homeless by the campaign. Police have arrested up to 30,000 people, including street vendors who they accuse of fuelling the black market and sabotaging Zimbabwe's failing economy.
Mr Mugabe aims to force the urban poor - whose votes keep his Zanu-PF movement from power in the cities - into rural areas where they can be more easily controlled.
David Coltart, a leading opposition figure, said the buildings targeted in Bulawayo were not shanties but small four-room houses built with government approval.
Church and welfare groups said tens of thousands of the newly homeless were having to sleep in the open, where night temperatures drop below freezing.
Ping.
Mugabe's a DemoRat right?
The fruits of 'social justice'
Stalinization.
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I'm so sorry to hear this Clive.
Thanks for the ping.
Terrible.
I fear Mugabe is going to give Pot Pol a run for his place in history.
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