'Only God can save Zimbabwe,' says Prophet Makandiwa

Prophet Emmanuel Makandiwa has said Zimbabwe's ailing economy would soon be revived through God's intervention.

The celebrity preacher told a capacity crowd of over

100 000 attending Judgement Night 2 on Saturday evening that only God can help Zimbabwe return to its former economic heyday.

"There is no one person who can rescue this nation. We must come back to Jesus and allow him to restore this nation," he said to thunderous applause from the congregation.

Makandiwa, who took to the podium in the early hours of Sunday, prophesied that Zimbabwe was poised for massive economic growth this year with lives of thousands of people expected to change for the better.

"God is giving this nation a better platform. He has seen our suffering and he is ready to resurrect our country. Industry will begin to run again. I see production taking place and industries and companies will never close again."

Makandiwa said because of the unprecedented economic boom, Harare - like New York City - will begin to provide 24-hour shopping services.

"Shops will be open during the day and during the night. People will be able to move around the city and do shopping in the night," he said.

The prophecy, coming at a time Zimbabwe's economy has slid into deflation and an acute financial crisis, revives hope in a country desperate for economic revival.

Zimbabwe's economy grew by an average of 6,9 percent between 2009 and 2013 during the life of the inclusive government, emerging from a decade of economic meltdown characterised by hyperinflation. So acute was the crisis that the country was forced to ditch the worthless Zimdollar for a basket of foreign currencies.

Since the Zanu PF-led government took over the economy last year after winning harmonised elections under controversial circumstances, the country's economy has been nose-diving into recession.

Although government predicted a 6,1 percent economic growth rate this year, indications on the ground show that Zimbabwe's gross domestic product will grow by less than 3,1 percent.

Statistics from the Zimbabwe Statistical Agency (Zimstat) reveal that annual inflation in March declined to -0,91 percent, shedding 0,42 percentage points from -0,49 percent in February.

Industry, which is yet to recover from the economic meltdown of the hyperinflationary period and continues to face stiff competition from cheap imports, has been scaling down significantly while other companies are totally shutting down.

Despite government assurances that the much-touted economic blueprint, the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation (ZimAsset) will create over 2,2 million jobs by 2018, not a single job has been created.

According to the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) more than 75 companies closed shop last year, forcing hundreds of workers onto the streets.

Another report by the National Social Security Authority (Nssa) revealed for the period between July 2011 and July 2013, 711 companies in Harare closed down, rendering 8 336 individuals jobless.

This year, many companies have indicated intentions to downsize and have already retrenched tens of thousands of their employees, condemning them to a gloomy future.

Major companies that have retrenched include platinum miners Zimplats and Unki, Bindura Nickel, Spar supermarkets, Dairibord, Cairns, Olivine Industries and PG Industries.