Internal displacement, victim (non-)compensation, and the politics of the caring state in Zimbabwe

Abstract

This article examines the process of compensating internally displaced persons in Zimbabwe, revealing a stark contrast between the political rhetoric of a caring state and the reality of ongoing neglect. Utilising ethnographic data from Tokwe-Mukorsi displacement, the study argues that the government's approach to compensation reflects a complex interplay of political interests, economic constraints, and cultural insensitivity. Key findings include a lack of proper planning, challenges in valuing traditional assets and cultural heritage, and government’s limited prioritisation of the needs of the displaced, evidenced by deliberate delays in compensation and the diversion of allocated funds. By scrutinising the politics of care and neglect in the context of internal displacement, this research contributes to broader discussions on development-induced displacement, state responsibility, and the complexities of implementing just compensation policies in post-colonial African contexts.