Mujuru unveils party manifesto

Former Vice-President Joice Mujuru has unveiled her manifesto - setting the stage for the launch of the People First (PF) political party and a bare-knuckle fight with Zanu-PF.

Yesterday, Mujuru all but plunged into the country's political minefield with a blueprint that forms the foundation of her party.

Mujuru has been long linked to the People First, a movement of axed Zanu-PF members, but kept her cards close to the chest.

In a policy document titled Blueprint to Unlock Investment and Leverage for Development (BUILD) to be released today, Mujuru said she has been hard at work since her last message in June and now she is sharing her vision for a better Zimbabwe.

"We are national democrats, guided by the values of the liberation struggle of self-determination, self-dignity, self-pride, expressed through the adoption of market-driven policies under a constitutional democracy, with the State acting as facilitator and regulator to allow for a level playing field and provide equal opportunities for all," she said.

Mujuru added that under her stewardship, Zimbabwe would commit to upholding human and property rights in an envisaged government committed to the rule of law.

"Our fundamental premise is that all people are created equal under God," she said.

"The law should, therefore, be applied equally to all citizens and offices in the land."

The former VP said her policies are informed by "our desire and determination to see our nation move forward as a proud member of the community of nations, to create a just and equitable society and desire and determination to see our nation grow and create equal opportunities for all".