Reform agenda on track: President
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa has said Government will continue to work tirelessly to address the country’s economic challenges and reforms will be speeded up to transform the country into an upper middle-income economy in 10 years.
Addressing the nation at State House in Harare yesterday, President Mnangagwa said opportunities were being created across all economic sectors in line with the country’s Vision 2030 and the country will overcome efforts to destabilise Zimbabwe by her detractors.
The President said the New Dispensation came with a clear goal to improve the plight of the majority of Zimbabweans through an elaborate agenda to reform, restructure and rebuild towards the attainment of Vision 2020.
He, however, noted that despite to efforts to uplift the lives of citizens, his administration has faced many hurdles and attacks since its inauguration. These include the divisive politics perpetrated by some opposition elements and the illegal economic sanctions.
President Mnangagwa said cyclones, recurrent droughts and more recently the deadly Covid-19 pandemic were also some of the contributory factors stifling the country’s economic growth.
Added to this was economic aggression, local currency manipulation and detractors who fear the inevitable imminent success the country’s reforms.
“All this was meant to undermine our projected economic growth and stability. As a result, we have had to constantly recalibrate our compass to ensure that we remain on course, and that the standard of life of the majority in our society gets better and better,” he said.
President Mnangagwa said economic and political reforms shall continue at an accelerated pace.
The President said some of the notable reforms effected so far include the repealing of the Public Order and Security Act (POSA) and Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA). He said the new legislation, Maintenance of Order and Peace Act (MOPA) was created following extensive deliberations and consultations.
“The direction we desire remains unchanged. Our goal remains clear and stable, forward ever!”
He commended international financial partners working with the country. The President said the country will soon overcome attempts by few rogue Zimbabweans working with foreign detractors to destabilise society.
President Mnangagwa said the development agenda, which Government started upon his inauguration, is beginning to take shape.
“Levelling of the economic development playing field is ongoing through our devolution policy reforms. Reforms related to the opening up of the economy, and to empowering entrepreneurs as well as unleashing the creative potential of the private sector and SMEs, are bearing fruits. Corruption at all levels must stop,” he said.
The President urged Zimbabweans to be consistent in all that they do, saying through persistence and hard work, the country will achieve a sustainable and prosperous future.
“Zimbabwe has to get back to working efficiently again. Vision 2030 will become a reality and we owe it to ourselves and the to the future generations to succeed,” he said.
“The new dispensation came with clear a goal to improve the plight of the majority of our people through an elaborate agenda to reform, restructure and rebuild towards the achievement of vision 2030.”
The President said despite unwarranted attacks against Government by its detractors coupled with illegal economic sanctions by the West, his administration remains focused on achieving peace, unity, stability, development, progress and prosperity.
He said dark forces, both inside and outside Zimbabwe have tampered with the economy.
“Fellow Zimbabweans, the dark forces both inside and outside our borders have tampered with our growth and prosperity for too long. They have thrived on dividing us and let us, as a people, embrace the call for patriotism, handwork, transparence, accountability, love unity and peace,” said President Mnangagwa.
President Mnangagwa said despite machinations by destructive terrorist opposition grouping and economic saboteurs, Government will continue to work tirelessly to tame the economic turbulence the country is facing.
“Emboldened by the tenacity that inspired our heroes to wage war for our independence, sovereignty and the freedoms we enjoy today, let Zimbabwe thrive towards a prosperous future.
“In all circumstances, public officials and the security services will carry out their duties with appropriate astuteness and resolve. The protection of the right to life is paramount, especially in light of Covid-19 pandemic and machinations by destructive terrorist opposition groupings,” he added.
The President urged Zimbabweans to individually and collectively defend the country, and shun divisive politics. He said his administration remains committed to enhancing cooperation with friends and partners in the international community while at the same time entrenching democracy and the rule of law.
“As your President, I vow to continue working harder and walking the talk towards the vision we have set out. Let us together cultivate a society of hope, and not despair, of inspiration instead of desperation,” he said.
President Mnangagwa noted that economic aggression, local currency manipulation and evil acts by the country’s detractors will not impede the Government’s projected economic growth.
“Although our progress has been slowed now, rest assured that we shall achieve our objectives. We will overcome and defeat the attack and stop the bleeding of our economy. We will overcome attempts at the destabilisation of our society by a few rogue Zimbabweans acting in league with foreign detractors.”
President Mnangagwa also warned those who promote hate and disharmony, saying they will never win in their endeavour to destabilise the country.
“The bad apples that have attempted to divide our people and to weaken our systems will be flushed out, good shall triumph over evil. Fellow Zimbabweans, to achieve the prosperity we deserve, let us all unite working together towards a common goal and dealing with each other in honest and love,” he said.
“We make no apologies for fixing our systems across the socio-economic and political spectrum.”
The President said while the entire world is reeling under the effects of Covid-19, which have seen the closure of borders, ceasing of trade and businesses being negatively affected, there was need to prioritise the protection of people’s lives.
“This is the time when many in our country are looking for answers, your cries are not unique to our country, region or our continent. As elected leaders we have to take the responsibilities of providing solutions, ensuring stability and setting direction in the midst of it,” he said.
“In all circumstances, public officials and security services will carry out their duties with appropriate astuteness and resolve. The protection of the right to live is paramount especially in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.”—@mashnets
VENDORS frequenting Bulawayo’s fresh vegetable markets are disregarding key Covid19 containment measures such as social distancing and proper wearing of facemasks, making such areas potential hotspots for the deadly pandemic.
Fresh vegetable markets this week came under Government spotlight as they have become the latest Covid-19 hotspots to be analysed.
On Monday, Government said it is analysing fresh vegetable markets in Harare and Bulawayo.
Zimbabwe’s Covid-19 death toll rose to 80 on Tuesday and cases surpassed the 4 000 mark. Government has noted that persons from different environs visit markets in Bulawayo and Harare hence testing will give an indication of infection rates.
In her weekly media briefing on Monday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa, said Government noted that there was a high risk posed by markets due to crowding, poor sanitation conditions for vendors and improper donning of masks by the generality of the public and vendors
A Chronicle news crew yesterday visited Fife Street Market in Bulawayo’s city centre and observed that traders were not adhering to health guidelines such as observing social distancing as evidenced by crowding.
Although people were subjected to temperature checking and hand sanitising before entering the marketplaces, police and soldiers had a torrid time trying to control the crowds.
Ms Anna Ncube of Makokoba said the market place was synonymous with long queues and crowding every morning with people disregarding social distancing.
“I come here every morning to buy fresh produce for resale and what you are seeing is a daily norm. We have people who are impatient and each time they are here, they want to jump queues resulting in everyone shoving and pushing of each other,” she said.
“There is no social distancing and it appears people are more worried about making money at the expense of their own lives.”
Mr Maxwell Dube weighed in: “Market places have become hotspots for Covid-19 because there is just too much crowding and some people are not even properly wearing their masks making it easy for the virus to spread.
“The problem is that everyone is only worried about their own business of the day and adhering to Covid-19 regulation is a secondary issue. Most of us just want buy and leave the market place as early as possible so that we are able board Zupco before peak hour.”
Mrs Priscilla Mukondo, a vendor from New Lobengula, said while she was scared of contracting Covid-19, she had no choice as vending is her only source of livelihood.
“Of course, it is worrying to come here and join these long queues where there is no social distancing. We mingle with each other yet we don’t even know who has the virus, but at the end of the day I have to take care of my family,” she said.
Mr Albert Nyathi said although he tries his best to stay safe, there were people disregarding Covid-19 preventions regulations and putting others at risk.
He expressed concern over some people not properly wearing face masks yet they spend most of the time at the market conducting business.
Ms Lindokuhle Moyo from Nkulumane suburb said some people only adhere to Covid-19 prevention measures in the presence of police.
“It appears we have some people who only adhere to the Covid-19 regulations whenever there is a police officer or soldier in the vicinity. A lot of people here do not pay much attention to the principle of social distancing and you find some shaking hands,” she said.
Mr Calvin Anderson, a local farmer who was at the market place to sell his produce, said although shop owners are doing their best in terms of sanitising their clients, some businesses were allowing people to crowd their small spaces.
Bulawayo city health director Dr Edwin Sibanda said they were in the process of formulating a strategy of testing people in some of the city’s identified hot spots.
“We suspect that markets could be the new Covid-19 hotspot in the city. We are now in the process of formulating a strategy of testing people in some of these hotspots and see whether we get positive cases to confirm that they are indeed hotspots,” he said.
Dr Sibanda said in terms of enforcing Covid19 containment measures, law enforcement agents are mandated to enforce the regulations
“It is the duty of law enforcement agents to ensure that people observe social distancing and other regulations and as council and taskforce team, we can only recommend. We have pointed out that there are some areas where there is crowding such as markets, bus termini and pick up points,” he said.—@ mashnets