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The Rhodesia Herald, 11 March 1980
Many war refugees in Salisbury are returning to their home areas to take stock of their losses and assess the general security situation before they decide whether or not to return permanently.
A visit to the Harare and Chirambahuyo squatter camps showed that many were going home, but only to find out if things have returned to normal.
All of those interviewed said they, and many others in the camps, were eager to go home and start a new life. But their worry was that they had no money with which to start rebuilding.
A man who comes from Mtoko said. “Life at home is much better than it is here and there is no question as to where I would prefer to stay. But before I go home I have to be assured of some help from the authorities because I have lost everything in the war.”
Others said they were waiting for Mr. Mugabe to form his government because only then would they know government policy on war refugees. “I expect many refugees to start going home to settle this week because that is when the Government will have been formed and our position clarified,” a widow from Mtoko with three children said. At present she said, she could not even raise the bus fare for the journey home.
At Chirambahuyo. Chitungwiza, a man of about 50 from Chief Chitsungo’s area in Pfungwe Tribal Trust Land said he was waiting for the go- ahead from the new Government. “I have three wives living with me and I cannot stand life here, but I have got to get help to rebuild.”
Many said victory for the “cock” in the election meant peace. “But this has come at a wrong time of the season because we cannot go home to work our fields,” said a man from Mount Darwin. None of those interviewed wanted their names published.
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