News / National
Stop pulling down local businessmen
17 Oct 2016 at 07:31hrs | Views
Flamboyant businessman, Philip Chiyangwa, has accused the government of mismanaging the country's economy after it hounded out of Zimbabwe some of the nation's most high-profile businesspeople.
Chiyangwa, who addressed students at an entrepreneurial programme in Harare at the weekend, said among the entrepreneurs who had been frustrated out of the country were telecommunications mogul Strive Masiyiwa.
"The British and the Americans do not frustrate their rich citizens.
Ask yourself why Masiyiwa does not stay in this country. He would have been arrested for being rich. Being rich in Zimbabwe is a crime. If he were here, they would have put him in a lice-infested cell.
"Yet Masiyiwa contributes immensely to the economy, and I know for a fact that he is the lender of last resort in Zimbabwe. When government runs out of money they get it from him.
"Masiyiwa must be free to come into Zimbabwe without getting arrested. He is feeding the same government that frustrates him," the forthright Chiyangwa said.
Masiyiwa is the founder of Econet Wireless Zimbabwe, the country's leading cellular operator which has since expanded globally. He left Zimbabwe in 2000 and has not been back in the country ever since.
Chiyangwa said " Unfortunately, Zimbabwe's loss" was other countries' gain, with many citizens contributing more and immensely to foreign lands than to their country of birth.
"This country has so many educated people. Nkosana Moyo, Arthur Mutambara and others. Where are they? We have no space for open and creative minds here.
"We should not stifle God's talent. Let those who can make money do so. Get out of the way and let Zimbabwe grow," Chiyangwa exhorted the government.
Moyo, a former Industry minister in Mugabe's Cabinet, sensationally quit the government in 2001, after growing disillusioned by the country's fraught politics.
"Our leadership is not happy as long as you make money without them. They start creating trouble and manufacturing charges against you.
"We don't need people like that. They must get out of the way. We can't afford to have Masiyiwa living outside the country.
"I know many other people who ran away from arrest here. I myself was arrested and stayed in jail for three months.
"When I came back to Zanu PF after suspension, (former vice president) Joice Mujuru started saying Chiyangwa supports (Vice President Emmerson) Mnangagwa and so he must leave the party. So what, if I support Mnangagwa?," Chiyangwa added.
Chiyangwa, who addressed students at an entrepreneurial programme in Harare at the weekend, said among the entrepreneurs who had been frustrated out of the country were telecommunications mogul Strive Masiyiwa.
"The British and the Americans do not frustrate their rich citizens.
Ask yourself why Masiyiwa does not stay in this country. He would have been arrested for being rich. Being rich in Zimbabwe is a crime. If he were here, they would have put him in a lice-infested cell.
"Yet Masiyiwa contributes immensely to the economy, and I know for a fact that he is the lender of last resort in Zimbabwe. When government runs out of money they get it from him.
"Masiyiwa must be free to come into Zimbabwe without getting arrested. He is feeding the same government that frustrates him," the forthright Chiyangwa said.
Masiyiwa is the founder of Econet Wireless Zimbabwe, the country's leading cellular operator which has since expanded globally. He left Zimbabwe in 2000 and has not been back in the country ever since.
Chiyangwa said " Unfortunately, Zimbabwe's loss" was other countries' gain, with many citizens contributing more and immensely to foreign lands than to their country of birth.
"This country has so many educated people. Nkosana Moyo, Arthur Mutambara and others. Where are they? We have no space for open and creative minds here.
"We should not stifle God's talent. Let those who can make money do so. Get out of the way and let Zimbabwe grow," Chiyangwa exhorted the government.
Moyo, a former Industry minister in Mugabe's Cabinet, sensationally quit the government in 2001, after growing disillusioned by the country's fraught politics.
"Our leadership is not happy as long as you make money without them. They start creating trouble and manufacturing charges against you.
"We don't need people like that. They must get out of the way. We can't afford to have Masiyiwa living outside the country.
"I know many other people who ran away from arrest here. I myself was arrested and stayed in jail for three months.
"When I came back to Zanu PF after suspension, (former vice president) Joice Mujuru started saying Chiyangwa supports (Vice President Emmerson) Mnangagwa and so he must leave the party. So what, if I support Mnangagwa?," Chiyangwa added.
Source - dailynews
