News / National
Tsvangirai puts spotlight on local capitalists like Chiyangwa
21 Jul 2011 at 23:20hrs | Views
On Thursday while chairing a meeting by local government officials, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai said there is no country that has developed with external investors. He said Zimbabwe needs local capitalists like Philip Chiyangwa to develop.
The PM and local government officials were discussing national housing delivery system where he said those involved in a multiplicity of business ventures ended up clashing with everyone.
Close to 25 000 residents are active members on the city housing waiting list out of an estimated one million people in need of accommodation.
"We need local capitalists to develop a country. There is no country that has developed with external investors. We need the Chiyangwas, (Strive) Masiyiwas and (Nigel) Chanakiras. The problem we have here is about primitive accumulation. People should focus on one thing and do it best. Focus on construction and be the best billionaire," he said.
Earlier, Gweru mayor Tedious Chimombe, had insinuated that people like Mr Chiyangwa wanted to continue amassing houses and residential stands at the expense of other people.
However Chiyangwa while speaking after a tour of Harare City Council's sewer and water infrastructure by mayors and chairpersons of local authorities said his company Pinnacle Holdings owns 57 000 residential stands in Harare.
He added that in Harare South he owned 5 000ha of land and another 60ha in the Grange, Chisora Village.
He has built 247 houses in Bluffhill among many other housing projects in the capital and Zimbabwe's cities.
"I bought 5 000 ha in Harare South after I sold G and D Shoes in Bulawayo. Unfortunately, some of my land has been occupied," said Mr Chiyangwa.
He said some councils he had helped to pay salaries to restive workers were now harassing him by threatening to repossess the land they gave him in exchange for the salaries.
"I invested my money in Harare, Chinhoyi, Kwekwe, Gweru and Kariba. Some people call me tsotsi, but have no facts to back them up.
"I am under attack. Do not be afraid of people with money. Do not stifle a person because of his political affiliation," he said.
Mr Tsvangirai said he was not jealous of Mr Chiyangwa's millions or billions but said efforts should be made to empower the down-trodden.
The PM and local government officials were discussing national housing delivery system where he said those involved in a multiplicity of business ventures ended up clashing with everyone.
Close to 25 000 residents are active members on the city housing waiting list out of an estimated one million people in need of accommodation.
"We need local capitalists to develop a country. There is no country that has developed with external investors. We need the Chiyangwas, (Strive) Masiyiwas and (Nigel) Chanakiras. The problem we have here is about primitive accumulation. People should focus on one thing and do it best. Focus on construction and be the best billionaire," he said.
Earlier, Gweru mayor Tedious Chimombe, had insinuated that people like Mr Chiyangwa wanted to continue amassing houses and residential stands at the expense of other people.
However Chiyangwa while speaking after a tour of Harare City Council's sewer and water infrastructure by mayors and chairpersons of local authorities said his company Pinnacle Holdings owns 57 000 residential stands in Harare.
He added that in Harare South he owned 5 000ha of land and another 60ha in the Grange, Chisora Village.
"I bought 5 000 ha in Harare South after I sold G and D Shoes in Bulawayo. Unfortunately, some of my land has been occupied," said Mr Chiyangwa.
He said some councils he had helped to pay salaries to restive workers were now harassing him by threatening to repossess the land they gave him in exchange for the salaries.
"I invested my money in Harare, Chinhoyi, Kwekwe, Gweru and Kariba. Some people call me tsotsi, but have no facts to back them up.
"I am under attack. Do not be afraid of people with money. Do not stifle a person because of his political affiliation," he said.
Mr Tsvangirai said he was not jealous of Mr Chiyangwa's millions or billions but said efforts should be made to empower the down-trodden.
Source - Byo24News
