Operation Murambatsvina: Operation Cleanup:
How Robert Mugabe Punished 1.5 million Black people in 1 month

Here is a quick summary of the background of what you are about to see:-
  • In June 2005, Robert Mugabe unleashed a rampage of hell against those who voted for the Opposition in March 2003.
  • European Union observers stated that the March 2003 election was stolen by Mugabe.
  • Knowledgeable insiders have estimated that the MDC won the March 2003 election by a factor of 2:1 against Mugabe.
  • The Police, with earthmoving equipment smashed and burned the houses where 1.5 million Black people lived.
  • They also smashed businesses (e.g. Grocery stores, hair salons, etc) and even demolished a Muslim Mosque.
  • Black people say that Police and earthmoving equipment arrived suddenly and started smashing and burning down houses without warning while all their possessions were inside.
  • Two Black children were crushed to death inside their homes before their parents could save them.
  • Eddie Cross of the MDC estimates this country-wide campaign will ultimately result in 2 million Blacks losing their homes.
  • To date, the estimated number of Black people arrested number a staggering: 46,000 (and rising).
  • It is estimated, that in less than a month Mugabe has destroyed 25% of the economy through this action.
  • The United States Govt and the European Union have condemned this. The United Nations will investigate it (but will they side with Mugabe?)
  • Over 200 Human Rights groups have protested against this action.
  • The South African Govt and the African Union (replacement for the OAU) have refused to condemn or criticise any of this.
  • Mugabe has publicly praised the Police for what they did. Take a look at the photos below and decide if you agree with this.
  • The 26 photos I have assembled below are from many sources, including the BBC. Many of these photos had to be smuggled out of Zimbabwe secretly.
  • (This page was compiled on: 26th June 2005. More information may yet come to light later on).
  • Mugabe, in his typically deceptive manner, pretends that this is a "Cleanup" operation to "restore law and order." But the opposition MDC and Zimbabweans in general regard this as payback for voting against Mugabe.
  • Since running the White Commercial Farmers off the Land, Zimbabwe's economy has imploded. Unemployment is now at 70%. Now Mugabe is turning on the Black majority because they refuse to support him.

    Rubble... a girl sits amid what's left of a business centre in Chitungwiza township in Zimbabwe. This is a still from video footage that had to be secretly filmed and smuggled out of the country.
    •   MUGABE_DESTRUCTION_01.JPG
     (Source: The Star - Johannesburg - 24th June 2005)

     Satellite images of an area of Harare before and after Operation Murambatsvina
    The satellite images are from: www.digitalglobe.com

    Description: These 60-centimeter QuickBird images show the city of Harare, Zimbabwe and the effects of President Robert Mugabe’s “clean-up campaign” that involved the razing of shantytowns.

    This satellite photo shows a shanty town in the city of Harare. It was taken on April 16, 2005. The shiny tin roofs of the dwellings can be seen.

      MUGABE_DESTRUCTION_02.JPG
     (Source: the Kubatana Newsletter of 24th June 2005)

     Here we see the same aread of Harare on June 04, 2005. No more sign of shiny tin roofs. Instead we see much evidence of burning & destruction
     Here we see the same aread of Harare on June 04, 2005. No mo... MUGABE_DESTRUCTION_03.JPG
     (Source: the Kubatana Newsletter of 24th June 2005)

     A woman watches her house being destroyed by earth moving equipment.
     A woman watches her house being destroyed by earth moving eq... MUGABE_DESTRUCTION_04.JPG
     (Source: BBC News, 9th June.)

     June 3rd: Zimbabwe Riot Police watch as earth moving equipment destroy a home in a crackdown on illegal dwellings in the capital city Harare. President Mugabe claims the campaign is meant to get rid of structures that have sprouted around urban centres and are seen as a haven for illegal traders in foreign currency and scarce food items. (Translation: These people are engaging in Free Market Capitalism in order not to starve to death. But in Mugabe's country, this is a crime!)
     June 3rd: Zimbabwe Riot Police watch as earth moving equipme... MUGABE_DESTRUCTION_05.JPG
     (Source: www.zimbabwesituation.com\tragedypics.html)

     June 3rd: A Zimbabwean woman in Harare cries outside her destroyed home, which the Govt bulldozed.
     June 3rd: A Zimbabwean woman in Harare cries outside her des... MUGABE_DESTRUCTION_07.JPG
     (Source: www.zimbabwesituation.com\tragedypics.html)

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