1.     Your Excellencies, the Government of Zimbabwe takes this opportunity to renew to you and your governments assurances of its highest consideration.

2.      May I take this opportunity to share with you, our views in respect of the massive nationally driven clean up mission code named operation “restore order” and the pursuant reconstruction initiative.

3.      From the onset it is pertinent to highlight that, the exercise is not unique to Zimbabwe, as precedence indicates that similar programmes have been executed in other African countries and even in the United Kingdom where the Labour government is demolishing 400 000 homes in the Midlands and the North, because these homes have now become slums.

4.      The Government of Zimbabwe at independence inherited an urban infrastructure whose design capacity, was meant to cater for a small population consistent with the racial dictates of the day.

5.      Come independence the non racial democratic thrust, opened up the urban habitat to the black majority, who moved into towns and cities in search of formal employment.

6.         Invariably, the urban infrastructure in terms of housing, water supplies, sewerage facilities and management of waste, could not cope with the influx, even in the face of formidable housing development mounted by government. On a related note, the size of the economy could not absorb all the people on the market.

7.         Consequent upon this development,

(a) There has been a proliferation of illegal structures for habitation and vending operations. The attendant results in the manner of general over crowding, polluted environment, sewerage blockages and erratic supplies of water were rampant.

(b) Some misguided elements took advantage of the informal sector scenario, as exacerbated by the ill conceived economic structural adjustment programme of the 1990’s, to perpetrate illegal practices such as profiteering, illegally dealing in foreign currency, fraudulent dealings, corruption, hoarding of essential commodities, drug trafficking and other unpalatable social undertakings.

8.      The foregoing ushered chaos and discomfort in our urban centres, so as to warrant intervention by the State in collaboration with the local authorities.

9.      The exercise entailed destruction of shacks and unauthorised vending structures to restore the aesthetic beauty of our towns and cities; while enhancing the sanitary outlook of the same. Contrary to the views of our detractors, the operation restore order is an objective, apolitical assignment to restore the dignity of our people who have lived and operated outside the plans of the local authorities.

10.     The exercise which started in Harare as planned on 18 May 2005 has rolled out to all urban centres across the country; and has affected residents irrespective of race, colour, creed and political persuasion. However, critical to note is the fact that, some genuine traders were inevitably caught up in the implementation of the clean up.

11.     While the clean up is in progress, some positive results have already been posted as follows:

(a) Most central business districts are now clean and orderly,

(b) Crime has significantly declined following the destruction of illegal structures which had become havens for criminal activities.

(c) Enforcement of by-laws is now feasible

(d) Some basic commodities have now resurfaced on shelves, and

(e) Provision of water, sewerage and lighting facilities is set to improve as the illegal developments were diverting the provision of such services from the targeted beneficiaries.

12.     In spite of the achievements, registered to date, some challenges have emerged, in the form of:

(a) Some families being rendered homeless, with the attendant transient discomfort, and

(b) Loss of income for genuine informal traders who no longer have approved premises to operate from.

13.     To redress the situation, government has defined and put in place relevant institutional arrangements as follows:

(a) The Ad-hoc Interministerial reconstruction committee chaired by Local Government Public Works and Urban Development; with 18 other Ministries. This will coordinate and monitor the reconstruction programme,

(b) A Steering Committee of Officials chaired by Local Government Public Works and Urban Development to take care of the logistical aspects relevant to the programme,

(c) The Inter-Agency Operational Committee constituting the hub for the implementation of the programme. The same is chaired by the Zimbabwe Defence Forces; and

(d) The Provincial Task Organisation which cascades to districts where the action takes place.

14.     While provinces are finalising their challenge analysis, and determination of requisite resources, action has commenced in Harare Metropolitan Province.

15.         Progress to date

(a) One trillion dollars has been availed to support the programme.

(b) Whitecliffe site

(i) The Ministry Of Local Government Public Works and Urban Development is constructing four model houses which are to be complete by end of day- to- day.

(ii) Scientific, Industrial Research and Development Centre is working on one model house, based on rammed earth technology, while the Intermediate Technology Development Group is working on another model structure premised on stabilised soil blocks.

(iii) Forestry Commission is working on a timber framed model house.

(iv) Red River (Pvt) Limited is working on steel rammed model structure.

(v) Ministry of Transport and Communications and District Development Fund have commenced opening of roads.

(vi) ZINWA is drilling boreholes

(vii) Foundations excavation for 150 x 2 roomed core houses commenced on 25 June 2005.

(viii) Allocation of 9960 stands is complete and beneficiaries are receiving offer letters

(ix) Ground is being cleared in preparation of moulding cement bricks and blocks on site.

(x) To date construction units have been mobilized from the Ministry of Youth Development and Employment Creation. More manpower is being mobilized.

(xi) Producers of requisite construction materials are being approached to warehouse their materials on site.

(xii) Construction of carpentry workshop shells and showrooms is in progress at Willowvale construction site.

(c) Hopley

Layout plans have been completed and survey has been instructed on 7200 stands. Allocation of stands has started.

(d) Ordariglaudina Farms

Layout plan preparation is at an advanced stage

(e) Caledonia Transit Camp (currently holds 2688 people)

(i) A police post has been established to maintain law and order.

(ii) Ministry of Health and Child Welfare is running a mobile clinic.

(iii) Department of Social Welfare, UNICEF, Red Cross, Red Crescent, Christian Care, Justice for Children Foundation, Roman Catholic Church, European Commission and Ministers Fraternal are jointly to providing social services.

16.     The task is huge, but not insurmountable. There is need for a full buy-in by all stake holders. We crave your esteemed support on the diplomatic front so as to correctly portray the thrust of this programme as executed by the Zimbabwean Government.

I Thank You