Zanu-PF, MDC-T policy showdown looms

Herald on Saturday October 15 claimed that MDC-T and Zanu-PF are heading for a showdown as it emerged Friday that the former has crafted a parallel economic empowerment policy dubbed Jobs, Investment and Upliftment Programme that it wants the inclusive government to implement. The party plans to officially launch the policy next week.

There is already an Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Act, which requires all foreign-owned firms to cede 51% shareholding to consortiums run by local people which the inclusive Government is implementing.

This policy, which is the brainchild of Zanu-PF, entails giving indigenous Zimbabweans ownership of companies first and then grow the businesses later.

MDC-T's proposed policy advocates growing the businesses first to create jobs and not ownership. MDC-T national spokesperson Douglas Mwonzora confirmed the policy.

However, he could not clarify how the inclusive government would implement it.

"This initiative will involve unveiling a programme of action to create jobs in Zimbabwe through investment and upliftment and empowerment of Zimbabweans." Mwonzora attacked the present indigenisation programme being pursued by the inclusive Government.

"Ours would be different from (Indigenisation, Youth Development and Empowerment Minister Saviour) Kasukuwere's version of empowerment, which excludes other political parties," he said.

"It doesn't look at attracting investment and simply increases the risk factor of Zimbabwe."

Kasukuwere said yesterday that Government will not be distracted by the MDC-T moves. "That will come to naught and will not stop us from implementing the laws of this country," he said.