Zanu-PF ‘worse than Smith regime’

via Zanu-PF ‘worse than Smith regime’ | News24 2014-04-14

Zimbabwean opposition parties have reportedly taken a swipe at the ruling Zanu-PF party and described it as “worse than the Smith regime”.

This comes after hundreds of people were left homeless following the recent demolishing of their houses in Ruwa and Chitungwiza suburbs, according to a News Day report.

Government said the houses were illegal structures.

Movement for Democratic Change’s national orgarnising secretary Nelson Chamisa said Zanu-PF was “anti-people” as its government destroyed the houses without offering alternative accommodation to the people affected.

Housing for the poor 

The report said there were plans to destroy more houses in other suburbs.

In 2005, government embarked on Operation Murambatsvina (Clean out filthy) which displaced at least 700 000 and destroyed the livelihoods of thousands in a country bedevilled by high unemployment.

Chamisa said the Smith regime was “actually better in providing housing for the poor”. He said Smith’s government respected the ordinary people.

Ian Smith ruled Zimbabwe – then Rhodesia – from 1964 to 1979 before President Robert Mugabe took over after independence in 1980.

Gilbert Dzikiti, the interim president of DARE said the mushrooming of illegal housing developments was a pointer to the failure of government in providing housing.

Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) said they would challenge the constitutionality of the demolitions.