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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:Popular Reactions to State Repression: Operation Murambatsvina in Zimbabwe
Authors:Bratton, MichaelISNI
Masunungure, EldredISNI
Year:2007
Periodical:African Affairs: The Journal of the Royal African Society
Volume:106
Issue:422
Period:January
Pages:21-45
Language:English
Geographic term:Zimbabwe
Subjects:political repression
victims
urban areas
Politics and Government
Economics and Trade
Law, Human Rights and Violence
External link:https://www.jstor.org/stable/4496414
Abstract:In May 2005, the government of Zimbabwe launched Operation Murambatsvina (OM), a State-sponsored campaign to stifle independent economic and political activity in the country's urban areas. This article employs a national probability sample survey to analyse the popular reactions of ordinary Zimbabweans to this landmark event. It shows that the application of State repression succeeds at some goals, fails at others, and has powerful unintended effects. The authors report that the scope of OM was wide and that the main victims of OM were younger, unemployed families whom State security agents saw as potential recruits for social unrest. Whereas OM undoubtedly disrupted the informal economy, the authors show that it did not succeed in banishing urban dwellers to rural areas or permanently shutting down illicit trade. Moreover, the crackdown thoroughly discredited the police and other State institutions. They also demonstrate that State repression emboldened its victims, deepening polarization between political parties and fortifying the ranks of Zimbabwe's opposition movement. Notes, ref., sum. [Journal abstract]
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