Please be brave Ms Tibaijuka
July 8th, 2005
Outside Bulawayo Police Station a couple of days ago a mass of cold and battered former vendors formed a queue that almost encircled a city block, people waiting to reapply for vending licenses. The vast majority of those there waiting had previously been issued licenses by the Bulawayo City Council to operate in designated areas, however the council has over the years lost its status as the official governing body of city affairs as Bulawayo City Council is a 100% MDC Council.
The queue at Central Police Station has become a daily vigil since “operation drive out the filth” started almost six weeks ago. But today’s queue was very different. It was moving at a rapid pace, a phenomenon almost unheard of in this state. Why? Anna Tibaijuka, the UN representative, was on her way into town and they wanted the people off the pavement asap. Many were turned away on the grounds that their applications were in process, get out and come back another day they were told.
But this time the cops had moved too slowly. Ms Tibaijuka had earlier spurned the official government escort and itinerary and was instead being shown around by Bulawayo’s MDC Mayor, The Hon Japhet Ndabeni Ncube. When she witnessed the chaos, she demanded to know why the police have usurped the City Council’s official role and were issuing Vending Licenses. She reinforced the legal standing that the city does not belong to the police, it belongs to the people represented by their Council.
The Council has come under enormous pressure over the last five years, b
ecause government is irked by our city’s massive support and allegiance to the opposition. With Council elections due to take place in August, the government is gleefully disenfranchising citizens and forcing those who are not lucky enough to be sheltered by the churches, in to the rural areas or holding camps.
I was begining to wander about Ms Tibaijuka’s integrity as she seemed to be falling victim to this sinister government’s persuasive and insidious influence, but her rural Tanzanian background has prepared her well for dealing with corrupt and inefficient “situations”.
Well done, Ms Tibaijuka, and may you carry your brave determination into writing a truthful and compelling report. And please do this before Mbeki has time to sweep Zim under the carpet at the G8 summit.
Africa, Zimbabwe, United Nations, Refugees, Human Rights, Thabo Mbeki
