Rural people urged to stand against sanctions

PEOPLE in rural areas have been urged to take part in campaigns which help advocate for the removal of sanctions against Zimbabwe.

The country has been under illegal sanctions for two decades affecting various sectors of the economy while hurting ordinary citizens. The illegal Western sanctions were imposed on the country as punishment for embarking on the land reform programme, whose aim was to address colonial imbalances where prime land was only in the hands of few whites while the black majority remained landless.

Addressing villagers at a Zanu-PF Bulilima West Constituency Thank You Rally in Ward 7 at Masendu Cultural Centre on Friday, Chief Masendu who is also Senator for Bulilima in Matabeleland South said the illegal sanctions on Zimbabwe were constraining national economic recovery, human security and sustainable growth, thus should be immediately and unconditionally removed.

His sentiments come as Zimbabwe this month join the rest of the region in the fight to ensure the removal of sanctions. This comes after Sadc Heads of State in 2019 set October 25 as the region’s anti-sanctions day as they said the effects of the illegal embargo is spilling into their nations.

“We have a serious problem that is affecting our area here in Bulilima and the nation at large called sanctions. Sanctions are a monster that has destroyed the desired development of our area and as villagers we have to stand up to push for their removal,” said Senator Chief Masendu.

Chief Masendu said Bulilima district in Matabeleland South province has been victim of emigration as villagers were in pursuit of new economic opportunities outside the country, contributing to some families disintegrating.

He hailed the Second Republic led by President Emmerson Mnangagwa for working flat out in developing the country amid the sanctions situation.

“President Mnangagwa has been an instrumental figure in facilitating developmental projects in the country as a whole and Bulilima in particular. We also thank his Deputy Minister of ICT who is the local MP for Bulilima West Constituency Cde Dingumuzi Phuti and his councillor for Ward 7 Clr Vincent Dube for working closely together in developing our area,” said Senator Chief Masendu.