. The area is called Killarney. Homeless, unemployed destitutes started coming to this deserted patch of scrub, beyond the farthest reaches of the residential suburbs, some years ago. They came with virtually nothing apart from the ragged clothes they stood up in, yet within a few months, and out of a few scraps of timber, corrugated iron and assorted junk, they managed to erect a number of makeshift structures. A typical African shanty-town arising apparently out of nothing on the bare veldt. This was no picture postcard scene, but at least the residents had a roof over their heads, walls to keep some of the cold out, and a place to call home - and importantly, within walking distance of an urban centre where the able-bodied could look for work. Quite a community was established under these austere circumstances. The 350 or so families shared one thing in common - abject poverty - which in the last resort is quite a powerful bonding agent. They regulate life together so as to maintain order and decency with a measure of dignity. A few have made desperate efforts to cultivate some vegetables, though in the poor, stony ground and with no water on hand, their efforts are largely futile.

The Killarney residents received no help from the authorities. No water, electricity or other facilities were available to them. Bulawayo City Council was aware of their presence and for obvious reasons the city fathers were not too happy at the informal settlement. Nevertheless, not having any other housing available to which they could move these poor people, and out of compassion for their plight they refrained from moving them on forcibly. Residents of Bulawayo who were aware of the acute needs of these desperate people, assisted them in small ways and a local pastor played a superb role in ministering to both their physical and spiritual needs. Food from a network of caring support groups was distributed to the people through the pastor, and he also organised regular Sunday worship.

But now ZANU PF politics intrudes on this hitherto peaceful scene. The nation-wide so-called Murambatsvina campaign (meaning, clear away the trash) comes to town. Armed, baton-wielding riot police descend on one informal settlement after another across the city - many operating legally with all the required permits to show for it - and in their wake there is left a trail of destruction, burning and looting (the looting carried out by none other than the police themselves). The people of Killarney wait with bated breath. Will they be next in line for the bulldozers and sledge hammers or is it just possible that they will escape the attention of Mugabe's marauding thugs?

On Tuesday (June 7th) word comes to the community - the police are on their way. Expect them within the next 24 hours. In the meantime the people can mitigate their misery by removing from their makeshift shelters any items of value. So they set to work stripping down from these structures such items as the broken sheets of asbestos and plastic which provided some cover from the elements, and removing their few pathetic belongings. Now they have no shelter, and it is cold these winter nights on the bare plain. Ironically they have rendered themselves homeless all over again - out of fear for an even worse fate at the hands of Mugabe's baton-wielding storm troopers.

At the time of writing the police had still not arrived at Killarney. They are expected at any time (and Sokwanele will try to keep readers appraised of developments). In the meantime however, and as perhaps the ultimate betrayal of the poor, Mugabe and his ZANU-PF lieutenants have used the weapon of fear to persuade them to destroy their own poor shacks.
Here are just some of the things you can do -
Support the vigil – every Saturday outside the Zimbabwean High Commission (12.00 – 18.00)


Attend the Zimbabwe forum - Mondays at 19.30 at the George, opposite the Law Courts in the Strand

Put pressure on government, EU & UN for stronger action

To find your MP either phone the House of Commons enquiry line on 020 7219 4272,
visit www.faxyourmp.com or visit www.locata.co.uk/commons

To find your MEP contact the UK Office of the European Parliament
at 2 Queen Anne's Gate, London SW1H 9AA
e.  eplondon@europarl.eu.int
t. 020 7227 4300
f. 020 7227 4302.