FIRST, I must congratulate the leadership of Zimbabwe for the delivery of the land to the children of the soil, even though the process was haphazard, unsystematic and with a political bias.

Despite the fact that people like myself were refused land by a Makoni District Land Committee in Rusape (a clear example of post-colonial discrimination and oppression of citizens) making it half-baked freedom for them, I am pleased the land is now available to Zimbabwe.

I also cherish the relative peace prevailing in the land though it is peace limited in liberty and justice.

I congratulate Vice President Joice Mujuru for her leadership, which is characterised by dignity, stateswomanship, progressiveness and balance in her attitude and speeches.

The Reserve Bank’s action in deleting three zeros from our bearer cheques and introduction of new bearer cheques is appreciated. In fact, some 28 countries did so in the face of hyperinflation many years ago. The result is greater convenience for the general public and repatriation of large amounts of the Zimbabwean currency. Unfortunately enemy number one and two – hyperinflation and foreign exchange shortages respectively – have not been tackled at all.

The plight of the voiceless and poorest of the poor in Zimbabwe breaks my heart and I would like to believe the heart of every caring person. We are seeing all over the country women with babies strapped on their backs, baskets of vegetables and fruit on their heads with some falling down while fleeing from the police.

These women, poor widows, men, widowers and orphans are bleeding from poverty, hunger, lack of medicine, housing and all sorts of economic and financial hardships that haunt the nation. That is why they are trying to earn a living by selling their goods wherever it is convenient for them because the government has not provided enough places for selling their commodities.

Many of these people are victims of the so-called “Operation Murambatsvina”, the national man-made tsunami or disaster in Zimbabwe. If human need and suffering were put first, the so-called “Murambatsvina” should have followed the so-called “Operation Garikai” (which is a replacement of demolished shelters) and not the other way round.

No one in his or her right mind would oppose the principle of cleanliness of the cities as exposed by Murambatsvina. However, the idea lacked the insight necessary to cushion its effect on people already under immense pressure from the social and economic hazards.

Now the only alternative for these victims of the disaster and other poorest of the poor is buying and selling vegetables, fruits and other commodities and by raising crops such as maize. But their crops and commodities are being snatched away from them at police road blocks. Where do the police put what they snatch from the poor?

The other day, a widow with four children had her bananas worth $2 000 (revalued) taken away from her by the police, while another woman lost her peanuts and round nuts. Where did the police take the produce to? The poor women and their children were deprived of either essentials or livelihoods. But these women are not alone. They represent millions more. Ours has become an on-going crisis and man-made disaster wreaking havoc among the poor of the land.

Let the poor sell their commodities wherever it is convenient and productive for them. Do not take away their commodities.

In the name of both the living and the dead, who suffered and died for the liberation of Zimbabwe, as well as in the name of the ancestors and yes, in the name of the Almighty, Stop it!

Abel T Muzorewa
Retired Bishop 
United Methodist Church