Friday, June 22, 2007

4 million refugees from Zim

This week marks the celebration of the World refugee day, a day in which as Zimbabweans we must take seriously in view of the current problems we are facing. Over the last few years over 4 (four) million Zimbabweans have left the country to neighbouring countries mainly South Africa and the United Kingdom. Many of these are young men and women forced out of the country by the current economic melt down. A major component of this group are professionals who have left the country in search for greener pastures.

It is also important to note that some of these fellow Zimbabweans have been pushed out of the country as a result of political elements bent on perpetuating the illegal regime of Robert Mugabe. The Zimbabwean economy is currently characterized by runaway hyper inflationary conditions with our inflation now hitting world records of well over 8000% and month on month figures above 100 % which is pushed by reckless and irresponsible money printing.

Unemployment rates are well above 80% and the informal sector that had become a means for sustainable livelihood for many of these people was destroyed by government through operation Murambatsvina. The once famed education system is on the verge or has collapsed owing to dire shortage of professional staff and mass exodus of teachers and critical shortages of foreign currency. Industries are operating at below 30% and some have either closed or have had to undertake massive retrenchments. ,,,



Many of these people have been tortured and some killed for demanding democracy. The writer is no stranger to police and state brutality as he has been arrested and detained for several times.
All these issues and many others have forced over 4 (four) million people to flea from Zimbabwe in search for a better life. Many young man and women have been mauled by human eating lions along the Limpopo river as they try to cross into neighboring South Africa. Many have been eaten by crocodiles as they cross the crocodile infested Limpopo river. Those who have been lucky to successful cross into South Africa have been met with no jobs and rampant abuse by officials at receiving countries.

Latest revelations in to the Botswana police revealed how Zimbabweans were made to masturbate in from of soldiers. Zimbabweans have been met with very disturbing situations. As we mark world refugee day we must take a moment to remember many of our people who are suffering in neighboring countries as they try to make a living. We URGE South African President Thabo Mbeki to tighten the screws on Zanupf. We as Zimbabweans demand specific deliver ables from the current negotiation going on. SADC must not watch as the situation in Zimbabwe deteriorates. Or is it that they expect us to pick up guns and wage a liberation struggle in Zimbabwe.

SADC and the U.N must act on Zimbabwe before it turns into another Dafur or Iraq...

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