'Chamisa should cherish national peace,' says Mnangagwa

President Emmerson Mnangagwa says the opposition MDC Alliance should not take the new found political freedom as weakness on the part of government.

Addressing thousands who gathered at Murombedzi Growth Point for the first Zanu-PF thank you rally in Mashonaland West today, President Mnangagwa said the mischief by MDC Alliance is a sign of the freedoms but it should not be taken too far.

"They are being mischievous because their stomachs are full because of the product of interventions such as Command Agriculture and the Presidential Inputs Scheme. What we want is peace in the country," he said.

The President said the ruling party preached peace in the run up to the election and would like to thank the people of Zimbabwe for showing that the country can have a peaceful election.

He saluted the late MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai saying he was mature.

Speaking on his predecessor, President Mnangagwa thanked the traditional leadership in the province for giving Zimbabwe the former president Mr Robert Mugabe.

"He is our founding father of a free Zimbabwe. Kana kune vamwe vane dzimwe ndangariro ngavadziite nemadzimai avo kudzimba dzavo. Ngavazive kuti Gushungo ndivo founding father venyika ino. VaMugabe ndivo vakatitungamira nzira muhondo kusvika nyika yawana kuzvitonga kuzere," he said.

The President says government is coming up with interventions to dodge the effects of sanctions saying Zimbabwe is now producing more grain and tobacco than during Smith's era.

He said the country shall survive and is surviving with its own resources.

"We are now saying Zimbabwe is open for business, engagement and re-engagement. We are tightening our belts to ensure that our economy grows. The cost and ease of doing business must be addressed. I have a list of about 11 projects that need to be launched in the coming days as a result of opening up Zimbabwe for business," said the President.

President Mnangagwa has implored Zimbabweans to play their part while at the same time welcoming those who are coming from outside to do business.

Turning to mining, the President said a new diamond policy is ready and will be presented to Cabinet next week before it is announced to the nation.

"We work as a team so I cannot make pronouncements before the matter is discussed and agreed on in Cabinet," he said.

The President also implored farmers to produce enough soyabeans and other oil producing crops to reduce pressures of forex demand by cooking oil producers.

He said he is aware of prices which are going up left, right and centre and the government has since engaged producers who said they are reducing their prices.

President Mnangagwa said he is disturbed by the rate of road traffic accidents on the country's highways and urged drivers to be careful, avoid negligence and abide by road rules and regulations to reduce loss of lives.

He also implored passengers to take a stand against reckless driving.

President Mnangagwa said the government has effected forex duty on motor vehicle imports which was announced during the budget presentation statement on Thursday, in order to boost the country's foreign currency reserve.

The President said the introduction of biometric registration of civil servants will address the issue of ghost workers which added to government expenditure.

President Mnangagwa exhorted the party to unite and continue working hard for the growth of the economy.