News / Press Release
Statement of the EFF on the Occasion of the Zimbabwe Independence Day
18 Apr 2018 at 07:08hrs | Views
The Economic Freedom Fighters is committed to the unfettered economic emancipation of all people of Zimbabwe view the occasion of the 2018 Independence Day as the dawn of a new era both within the political plebiscite and in the pursuit of a new economic agenda.
It is a year that marks the total severing of the discombobulated administration under the leadership of Robert Mugabe. For thirty-seven years the Mugabe cabal has held our nation at ransom, driving it into the doldrums of doom through mis-governance, a disregard of the fundamental rights and the pursuit of policies that have ensured the perpetual impoverishment of our people. In this regard, the Economic Freedom Fighters wishes to recognise, acknowledge and applaud the role played by the Zimbabwe National Army under the selfless command of Commander Constantine Chiwenga and His Excellency Emmerson Mnangagwa for orchestrating the move that culminated in the ousting of Robert Mugabe and his cronies. The EFF view the events of November 2017, deemed undemocratic and unconstitutional, as a necessary event that has sown the seed of hope for our nation.
2018 also marks the ushering of a new dispensation committed to the opening of new markets and business opportunities and investment opportunities with an emphasis on foreign direct investment where the Zimbabwean diaspora plays a critical role. Not only that, under the new dispensation we have witnessed the relentless and aggressive pursuit of a foreign policy that has a potential of attracting billions in terms of investment, with the Chinese having already made a commitment to this effects. We recognise the commencement of the Egodini Project which had stalled under the previous administration and we wish to challenge the incumbent to reopen the Zambezi Water Project with a commitment to see its completion within a reasonable timeframe. Furthermore, we recognise the invitation of Zimbabwe to again join the Commonwealth countries and this in our view is a move in the right direction. Zimbabwe is not an isolated state; it belongs to the community of nations. The EFF applauds these interventions and commits itself to working with the government in ensuring the total transformation of the lives of the people of Zimbabwe.
Amid all these strides towards the right direction, the EFF is however, disturbed by the ongoing fiscal challenges especially the currency shortages, the failure of the economy to respond to the broad national needs through the creation job opportunities; which continues to drive our youths and skilled personnel out of the country. Those that remain succumb to alcohol and drug abuse and other inhuman acts in order to survive. Drastic measures need to be taken such as the review of our monetary and economic policies and the establishment of a multi-stakeholders' consultative forum tasked with the duty to conceptualise innovative solutions to the current economic predicaments; a process to which we will avail our expertise.
As we celebrate the first independence without Mugabe, we must be reminded that Zimbabwe belongs to all who live in it regardless of colour, race, tribe, and religion of creed. It is disturbing and goes against the spirit of nationhood exhibited during the ousting of the Mugabe regime to continue to witness the victimisation of white farmers across the country, the latest being the Connolly Farm forcefully taken by Ray Ndhlukula in Figtree. The political massacres, killings and disappearances orchestrated by the Mugabe regime such as Gukurahundi, the disappearance of Chizuze, Dzamara, Guzha and Nabanyama amongst others, must be addressed in order to enable the nation to heal and move forward. As an organisation we are committed to aiding the government in dealing with these dark episodes of our history. Again, independence is incomplete if our people continue to be hounded by draconian laws such as AIPA and POSA crafted by Mugabe with the intention of limiting people's freedoms. We challenge President Mnangagwa to declare these laws as unconstitutional, retrogressive and unnecessary in a democratic state. This process would be paramount in levelling the political playing field and effectively guaranteeing free and fair elections.
The EFF's aim is to fight for economic, social and political emancipation of the ordinary people of Zimbabwe irrespective of their colour, sexual orientation and tribal assignment. These cannot be achieved unless a conducive political environment is cultivated, which would make the contestation for political power possible.
As we gather to celebrate independence let's take time to recognise especially the post-independence political victims who did not deserve to die except that they pursued their democratic rights. The Economic Freedom Fighters will continue to pursue its radical policies in relation to land, the economy and monetary policy. We take this moment to reaffirm our belief that INDEPENDENCE WITHOUT ECONOMIC FREEDOM IS MEANINGLESS.
HAPPY INDEPENDENCE CELEBRATIONS!!
It is a year that marks the total severing of the discombobulated administration under the leadership of Robert Mugabe. For thirty-seven years the Mugabe cabal has held our nation at ransom, driving it into the doldrums of doom through mis-governance, a disregard of the fundamental rights and the pursuit of policies that have ensured the perpetual impoverishment of our people. In this regard, the Economic Freedom Fighters wishes to recognise, acknowledge and applaud the role played by the Zimbabwe National Army under the selfless command of Commander Constantine Chiwenga and His Excellency Emmerson Mnangagwa for orchestrating the move that culminated in the ousting of Robert Mugabe and his cronies. The EFF view the events of November 2017, deemed undemocratic and unconstitutional, as a necessary event that has sown the seed of hope for our nation.
2018 also marks the ushering of a new dispensation committed to the opening of new markets and business opportunities and investment opportunities with an emphasis on foreign direct investment where the Zimbabwean diaspora plays a critical role. Not only that, under the new dispensation we have witnessed the relentless and aggressive pursuit of a foreign policy that has a potential of attracting billions in terms of investment, with the Chinese having already made a commitment to this effects. We recognise the commencement of the Egodini Project which had stalled under the previous administration and we wish to challenge the incumbent to reopen the Zambezi Water Project with a commitment to see its completion within a reasonable timeframe. Furthermore, we recognise the invitation of Zimbabwe to again join the Commonwealth countries and this in our view is a move in the right direction. Zimbabwe is not an isolated state; it belongs to the community of nations. The EFF applauds these interventions and commits itself to working with the government in ensuring the total transformation of the lives of the people of Zimbabwe.
Amid all these strides towards the right direction, the EFF is however, disturbed by the ongoing fiscal challenges especially the currency shortages, the failure of the economy to respond to the broad national needs through the creation job opportunities; which continues to drive our youths and skilled personnel out of the country. Those that remain succumb to alcohol and drug abuse and other inhuman acts in order to survive. Drastic measures need to be taken such as the review of our monetary and economic policies and the establishment of a multi-stakeholders' consultative forum tasked with the duty to conceptualise innovative solutions to the current economic predicaments; a process to which we will avail our expertise.
As we celebrate the first independence without Mugabe, we must be reminded that Zimbabwe belongs to all who live in it regardless of colour, race, tribe, and religion of creed. It is disturbing and goes against the spirit of nationhood exhibited during the ousting of the Mugabe regime to continue to witness the victimisation of white farmers across the country, the latest being the Connolly Farm forcefully taken by Ray Ndhlukula in Figtree. The political massacres, killings and disappearances orchestrated by the Mugabe regime such as Gukurahundi, the disappearance of Chizuze, Dzamara, Guzha and Nabanyama amongst others, must be addressed in order to enable the nation to heal and move forward. As an organisation we are committed to aiding the government in dealing with these dark episodes of our history. Again, independence is incomplete if our people continue to be hounded by draconian laws such as AIPA and POSA crafted by Mugabe with the intention of limiting people's freedoms. We challenge President Mnangagwa to declare these laws as unconstitutional, retrogressive and unnecessary in a democratic state. This process would be paramount in levelling the political playing field and effectively guaranteeing free and fair elections.
The EFF's aim is to fight for economic, social and political emancipation of the ordinary people of Zimbabwe irrespective of their colour, sexual orientation and tribal assignment. These cannot be achieved unless a conducive political environment is cultivated, which would make the contestation for political power possible.
As we gather to celebrate independence let's take time to recognise especially the post-independence political victims who did not deserve to die except that they pursued their democratic rights. The Economic Freedom Fighters will continue to pursue its radical policies in relation to land, the economy and monetary policy. We take this moment to reaffirm our belief that INDEPENDENCE WITHOUT ECONOMIC FREEDOM IS MEANINGLESS.
HAPPY INDEPENDENCE CELEBRATIONS!!
Source - EFF Media Relations
