Mnangagwa dares opposition MPs

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has urged opposition legislators to actively scrutinize and challenge Zanu-PF Members of Parliament (MPs) to ensure they deliver for the benefit of all Zimbabweans.

Speaking during a familiarization tour of the First Family's highly mechanized Pricabe Farm, attended by legislators from both Zanu-PF and the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), President Mnangagwa emphasized the importance of parliamentary oversight in driving national development.

"Do not make the ruling party (MPs) sit. You should criticize them a lot, and when you do, they will work in Parliament," he said, adding with a chuckle, "As the opposition, be serious with your opposition because where they (Zanu-PF MPs) have erred, they will fix it, and that will help us remain in power while you remain in opposition."

Highlighting the significance of food self-sufficiency, President Mnangagwa noted that Zimbabwe must prioritize the ability to feed its population as a cornerstone of national respect and stability.

"A country must be able to feed itself. If a country can feed itself, it earns respect, and I am happy that in Zimbabwe, we can feed ourselves," he said.

The government, he explained, remains committed to capacitating farmers at all levels, noting that investing in local farmers is more cost-effective than relying on imports.

"Capacitating our farmers is cheaper than importing food, which drains our foreign currency. It is critical that we empower our people to produce," said the President, adding that the government's support has kept Zimbabwe food-secure.

Acknowledging the impact of climate change, President Mnangagwa stressed the need for irrigation to ensure food security during droughts.

"I have tasked my Minister of Agriculture to determine how many hectares of land should be under irrigation so that even without rain, our people can have food," he said.

While the target has not yet been fully achieved, he noted significant progress toward enhancing irrigation capacity across the country.

The visit to the First Family's farm, which boasts thriving maize, potatoes, soybeans, and livestock, marked a rare moment of unity between ruling party and opposition MPs.

First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa described the visit as unprecedented and a step toward unity.

"As the First Lady, I am very happy and elated because this has never happened before, seeing both ruling party and opposition MPs here. This is very brave and unifying," she said.

She expressed her joy at the gathering, referring to all legislators as her children and gifting them with some of the farm's produce.

Speaker of Parliament Advocate Jacob Mudenda lauded President Mnangagwa's leadership, describing the farm as an example of how economic freedom could be achieved.

Midlands Province Minister of Provincial Affairs and Devolution Owen Ncube commended the President for "leading from the front" in promoting agriculture and food security.

The tour was attended by MPs, senators, traditional chiefs, ministers, deputy ministers, and senior government officials. It underscored the government's commitment to food security and unity in addressing national challenges.