tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6718454524502259785.post9025924828285407769..comments2023-06-27T17:46:40.923+09:00Comments on Southern African Peace and Security Blog: Governing Africa's CitiesAdminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11143142887187013059noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6718454524502259785.post-68195744346007643722012-07-19T08:14:36.382+09:002012-07-19T08:14:36.382+09:00Thank you for this comment, Mr. Davies. I think ma...Thank you for this comment, Mr. Davies. I think many would be interested in further insights based on your first-hand experience of this case, or the current state of affairs in Zimbabwe. Would you be interested in writing a blog entry for this blog?Virgil Hawkinshttp://stealthconflicts.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6718454524502259785.post-64812533505982257512012-07-01T23:10:46.208+09:002012-07-01T23:10:46.208+09:00While I agree with your recommendations (while bei...While I agree with your recommendations (while being sceptical about the possibilities of their implementation), I would like to correct the oft-repeated assertion that Operation Murambatsvina was anything to do with clearing out squatter settlements or restoring order: while primarily (and not incidentally as you infer) intended to further impoverish urban dwellers and thus reduce their capacity to engage in oppositional politics, the physical structures that were destroyed were by no means slums but were substantial constructions representing a massive investment by people in housing stock after colonial-era restrictions were relaxed (although not repealed) by a zanu-pf administration in 1996. As the chair of the Combined Harare Residents Association at the time, I was intimately involved with responses to the assault as well as carrying out evaluations of the extent and cost of the 'operation' and can assure you that it resulted in the creation of real slums (eg at supposed temporary resettlement or holding camps like Hopley and Caledonia Farms) that still exist 7 years later.Mike Daviesnoreply@blogger.com