Mugabe wraps up urban cleansing campain...

[Troubleshooter]

...and only about 700,000 people are homeless.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050728/...abwe_crackdown

By MICHAEL HARTNACK, Associated Press Writer 1 hour, 14 minutes ago

HARARE, Zimbabwe - Zimbabwe's government on Thursday announced the completion of a crackdown on slums and street traders that left some 700,000 people without homes or livelihoods. But the opposition said demolitions continued.

...snip...

"Operation Murambatsvina (Drive Out Trash) is now complete,"

...more...

Here's the part I like:

Zimbabwe's government argues the campaign is aimed at reducing crime and restoring order in overcrowded slums and illegal markets, and has pledged to build new homes for those uprooted. But independent economists argue the government cannot afford the $300 million it has promised for reconstruction.

Even if the money is found, churches have estimated that $300 million will provide no more than a tenth of the 30,000 to 50,000 houses, outbuildings, cabins and shacks that were destroyed.

Radio bulletins Thursday repeatedly broadcast recordings of Mujuru saying: "Now we have embarked on the final stage of Operation Garikai (let us be settled and live at peace). Government has set aside resources for this, they are substantial and underline our determination to improve the quality of life, especially housing, for all our people."

It was unclear whether President Robert Mugabe would honor the pledges to end the demolitions upon his return from a state visit to China.

Wouldn't it make more sense to build the new housing FIRST? Gee, they're going to improve the quality of their lives by putting them out on the streets. Mugabe probably went to China to get some insider tips on tactics used in the Chinese "Cultural Revolution" which also displaced vast numbers of people.

[xoxoxoBruce]

He's probably seeking to subcontract some of the Chinese's contracts they can't do because of their high labor rates. After all, his people need jobs to pay him rent on these news digs he's going to build someday.

[elSicomoro]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/4721711.stm

Zimbabwe will take any help it can get right now...and the Chinese are probably more than happy to fuck with the West.

[wolf]

The more people that die as a consequence of this, the fewer he needs to build houses for.

You need to know how many houses will actually be needed, before you can start construction. Wouldn't want to have lots of empty, abandoned buildings around, right?

(so, how many of the displaced trash were from the prior group of displaced white farmers? Any guesses?)

Originally Posted by wolf

The more people that die as a consequence of this, the fewer he needs to build houses for.

Good point Wolf. Its always nice to hear of a government exercising fiscal responsibility. Maybe that's what's behind the current cuts in housing vouchers for the disabled here in the States.

Originally Posted by wolf

(so, how many of the displaced trash were from the prior group of displaced white farmers? Any guesses?)

Zero, I imagine. The farmers probably got the hell out of Dodge or Zimbabwe, as the case might be.

[xoxoxoBruce]

I agree...the white farmers left the country if they had any brains at all.