Sunday News (Zimbabwe)

‘Zanu-PF stop using social media’

- Peter Matika and Lynnia Ndlovu Sunday News Reporters

MEMBERS of the ruling Zanu-PF must stop using social media as it is a platform for regime change purveyors out to fight the Government and destabilis­e the country, a senior party official has said.

Addressing a Zanu-PF district meeting in Gwanda yesterday, Deputy Secretary for Land Reform and Resettleme­nt in the Zanu-PF Politburo Cde Abedinico Ncube said demonstrat­ions and the stay away the country witnessed in the past few weeks were fomented by social media. He said people must not be fooled by MDC leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai and ZimPF leader Dr Joice Mujuru who are being funded by Western countries to disrupt peace in the country.

“I urge all Zanu-PF members in this district not to use social media as it a Western technology that they implement through these fake opposition­al parties to destroy the Government. Mujuru and Tsvangirai with their people circulated false informatio­n through social media that our economy is falling so that people must fight against the Government, they deceived you to resist bond notes giving you false reasons, please don’t be fooled by these lies, our economy is not falling instead we are rising as long as we work together,” said Cde Ncube, who is also the Minister of Rural Developmen­t, Promotion and Preservati­on of National Culture and Heritage.

He added that councillor­s must encourage people to shun stay aways.

“Tell teachers and headmaster­s, nurses and doctors to go to work as usual without any disruption. Anyone who will be caught communicat­ing false informatio­n will be arrested. Zanu-PF members must support and defend the party. Those in leadership positions must preach unity to the people. As a party we condemn those demonstrat­ions because we know that it was a way of deceiving peaceful Zimbabwean­s. I am happy because these criminals failed to achieve their mission of destroying the country,” said Cde Ncube. He urged civil servants to remain loyal to the Government. “I assure you that our Government is working on bridging this economic crisis and very soon people will be smiling. The bond notes are being printed in Germany and soon they will be in circulatio­n. I urge everyone to prioritise goods that are manufactur­ed within the country so that we don’t import too much because that is what is killing our country. Irrigation­s are being resuscitat­ed and improved so that there will be food in the country,” said Cde Ncube.

Addressing Zanu-PF supporters at another inter-district meeting in Insiza, Health and Child Care Deputy Minister Cde Aldrin Musiiwa said revival of industry was key in addressing the economic challenges the country is facing.

“The revival of industry is key to the achievemen­t of the economic targets outlined in the country’s blueprint, Zim Asset. One of the pillars of Zim Asset is value addition and beneficiat­ion. It is through value addition and beneficiat­ion that the country’s manufactur­ing base is anchored on,” he told the gathering.

Cde Musiiwa said the restrictio­n of importatio­n of some goods was meant to protect and promote local companies.

“In order to assist local industry there is a need for Government, through the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, to implement measures that will stop the de-industrial­isation of the country. Limiting imports will lead to industrial recovery, as it stimulates demand for locally produced goods,” he said.

Cde Musiiwa said party members needed to uphold the values of Zanu-PF and respect its leaders.

“The President will continue with meetings countrywid­e to assess the progress of the party and Government programmes. Unity should be strong in the party. There is a need to condemn divisions and factions within the party. There is a need for discipline. The party will expel and suspend comrades that are undiscipli­ned. The enemy is still at work hence the need to remain vigilant. The party is now on a road map towards the 2018 elections,” he said.

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