Mugabe will not swear in Roy Bennett

Robert Mugabe has said he will not swear in MDC-T treasurer Roy Bennett as Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Infrastructure Development because his party is working with neo-colonialists to reverse the gains of the country's liberation struggle.

In his closing remarks at the just-ended Zanu-PF 11th National People's Conference here yesterday, the Head of State and Government and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces said MDC-T sought to mislead the nation by claiming elections will not be held until Bennett is sworn in.

"Look at how they worked with the settlers who destroyed us, turning us into semi-slaves," he said. "Misodzi kutoti chururu kuchemera Bennett.

Hanzi maelections ngaamire kusvikira Bennett apinda pachigaro. Kuita swear in Bennett inini aah! Zviripo zvimwe zvisingaitwe (The MDC-T are shedding tears over Bennett because he has not been sworn in. I cannot swear him in: some things are just not possible)."

He said Zanu-PF had sound policies, which cannot be duplicated by the MDC-T, adding that although the party was aligning with neo-colonialists to destabilise the country, Zimbabweans would work with friendly nations.

He said Government would also block investment from countries that imposed illegal economic sanctions on Zimbabwe. It will not be like what it was yesterday, he said.

"Zimbabweans can help build our country. We will only align with those that want to give us their hand," he said. "Those who give us their backs and bring sanctions we will kick out."

"Countries without co-operation with us and which have not recognised the hospitality we have extended to them must not sit on their laurels thinking that yesterday will be tomorrow," he said.

"Think again whether it is going to be sanctions or no sanctions. If the countries have organisations here; we will be very strict. In fact, we will refuse investment from those countries."

Mugabe said the same principle would also apply to financial institutions closely linked to hostile countries.

"We are not fools. If you thought we were fools you are fooling yourselves.

Sanctions will never kill us if you thought we were going to die."

He singled out mining concerns Rio Tinto and Anglo-American among the companies that will cease operations if they fail to push their principals to remove sanctions.

"Why should Rio Tinto mine diamonds in our country? Anglo-American has been mining gold (in Zimbabwe) and other countries taking our minerals out," he said.

"Kana masanctions akaramba aripo those companies should stop (operations)." President Mugabe called for spirited work in agriculture, mining and manufacturing.

"We have an abundance of resources. We tried to build masculine skills and we are a proud nation. We continue to intensify building up these skills," he said.

He also said the Finance Ministry appeared unconcerned about the welfare of farmers, as seen by the methods it was using to disburse funds to the Grain Marketing Board for payment to grain producers.

He took the opportunity to donate US$30 million towards the purchase of maize seed and fertilisers for marginalised farmers.

More than 4 600 delegates attended the conference and returned home with 11kgs of maize seed each.