Lack of shared vision has let the country down: Mugabe

President Robert Mugabe, says lack of a shared vision by parties in the inclusive government has dealt a major blow to some development programmes in the country.

Mugabe was addressing chiefs at Mary Mount Teachers College on Thursday afternoon.

In a meeting away from the glare of the media, the chiefs, district by district, shared their worries and grievances in various aspects such as economic development, social and political spheres.

Among the pressing issues on the part of the chiefs was the lack of respect and total disregard displayed by some politicians towards the traditional leaders, drought relief, the welfare of chiefs, economic development and boundary disputes among others.

In his remarks, Mugabe said important sectors such as agriculture have not received the required financial support from government due to ulterior motives by some ministries in the inclusive government that are bent on politicking at the expense of people's lives.

Last season, Mugabe was forced to intervene by launching the Presidential Well-wishers Input Scheme to rescue vulnerable farmers after Finance Minister Tendai Biti failed to provide adequate funding.

The President pointed out that the bickering in the inclusive government has also affected the plight of chiefs who have been blacked out in the national budget.

He explained that it is because of the discord in the inclusive government that his party, Zanu PF, is calling for elections later this year or in the 1st quarter of 2012 and ensure that development programmes get back on track.

He also addressed the issue of boundary disputes saying chiefs who are allocated land in other areas should not impose their chieftainship powers in another chief's domain.

The President tasked local authorities to ensure that chiefs are resettled in land which is under their jurisdiction to minimise boundary disputes.

Soon after the deliberations which ended late in the evening, Mugabe presented 200 computers to some 20 schools in all districts in the province.

A photo exhibition depicting the long association of the political leaders with traditional leaders was also mounted by the friends of the Dr Joshua Nkomo Trust.