Mujuru attacks MDC-T

POLICY inconsistency by MDC-T in Government is hampering the development of the national economy, Zanu-PF Vice President and Second Secretary Joice Mujuru, has said.

Addressing delegates at a Zanu-PF economic cluster workshop in Harare yesterday, Mujuru, who was represented by the party's secretary for administration Diydmus Mutasa, said efforts by Government to ensure industrial rebirth were not progressing because of MDC-T.

The one-day workshop discussed the state of the economy, the party's departmental programmes and sought to harmonise activities ahead of the forthcoming elections expected this year.

"Being a people centred party we have harnessed our efforts and directed energies towards restoring our national economy to its past heights of growth, sustainability, equitable redistribution of wealth and prosperity for all, but some of our colleagues in Government are pulling in the opposite direction," she said.

"They exhibit inconsistency and lack of application but we will continue shaking off these challenges."

Mujuru said the Look East Policy Zanu-PF adopted was beginning to bear fruits as evidenced by the number of Asian countries investing in Zimbabwe.

"This visionary policy has facilitated the rapid recovery of our tobacco sector, which has become the biggest foreign currency earner, as well as the revival of the chrome sector in Kwekwe, among other benefits.

"We shall continue to solidify this relationship and anticipate travelling further in this promising direction as we embark on a programme that will put our economy at par with other African and world giants," she said.

The workshop was held under the theme: "Defending National Sovereignty and Consolidating Indigenisation and Empowerment: Driving the Zimbabwean Economy to Greater Heights."

Mujuru described as "just" and "superior" Zanu-PF policies towards the building of the country's economy.

"We hail the victory of Zimbabwe in the KPCS process, which opened doors for the sale of our diamonds on the world market and created new revenue channels for the national fiscus.

"The victory vindicates justness and superiority of Zanu-PF policies under the gallant leadership of President Mugabe," she said.

She said the revolutionary party would continue supporting small and medium businesses and the informal sector to facilitate their entry and participation in the mainstream economy.

"We shall continue to champion programmes that bring the economy and its benefits closer to the people like rural wholesales project launched last month in Mt Darwin."

Zanu-PF secretary for economic affairs, Obert Mpofu, said most companies were struggling for viability hence the need for investors to support them.

"Failure to rescue these companies is a serious indictment on our approaches to economic growth and self-sustenance.

"The sad thing is that there has been massive job losses.

"This downward trend was further compounded by the drying up of lines of credit owing to a number of macro economic reasons and also sanctions," he said.

Zanu-PF, Mpofu said, was worried by lack of capacity by Treasury to pay reasonable salaries to civil servants.

"I hope this workshop will come up with suggestions, which can be presented for consideration in view of bettering conditions of service for civil servants," he said.

Saviour Kasukuwere, the Zanu-PF secretary for indigenisation and economic empowerment urged party members to participate in the empowerment drive.

The event was attended by Politburo members, provincial chairpersons, national executive members of the women and youth assemblies and war veterans.