Government is working on safety nets to shield vulnerable
members of society against price distortions on basic commodities and will soon
unveil a well-packaged strategy to ensure goods reflect their real value, Vice
President Kembo Mohadi has said.
VP Mohadi was speaking at Zanu-PF’s second post-election
Thank-You Rally at Mt Darwin High School, Mashonaland Central province,
yesterday attended by thousands of supporters. He said it was worrying that
Zimbabwe had over 35 000 civic organisations, most of which were engaging in
underhand political activities designed to effect regime change.
He stood in for President Emmerson Mnangagwa. VP Mohadi
said authorities were crafting a cocktail of measures to ensure availability of
basic goods at fair prices, including extensive support for retailers.
“Basic commodities like cooking oil, sugar, salt, rice,
mealie-meal, milk and flour; the prices are being looked into so that they
become affordable to the generality of the public. Government is equally
putting in place loan facilities for retailers who will maintain cheap prices.
These will be supported by Government to make sure that
their prices remain low.”
Government would also work with industry in implementing
the basic commodities price stabilisation initiative.
“As Government, we are engaged with industry for a more
stable price regime. We are seized with this matter. We are a Government that
is responsive to the people’s needs. We are concerned with overcharging of
goods and the constant hikes of prices of basic commodities. We understand the
struggles that you are facing and we will step in with corrective measures.”
VP Mohadi said the basic commodities programme was aimed at
providing relief to the public in the same manner as the recent introduction of
buses for urban commuters. He told the gathering that more buses were being
mobilised to provide cheap transport in rural areas.
“There are 500 buses that will be coming from Belarus and
another 200 buses from South Africa. The resuscitation of Zupco was long
overdue,” he said. VP Mohadi said NGOs would not win in their attempts to
destabilise the country, despite their huge number.
“There are 35 000 NGOs in Zimbabwe. It is such a high
number for a very small country such as Zimbabwe. They are more than our own
national army. We do not know what they are looking for. They claim to be
non-Governmental, but in reality they represent foreign governments that have
intentions to take over the country.
“We will not fold our hands and let that happen. We are
aware that some of our economic challenges are a result of the machinations of
these NGOs. Let’s remain strong and united and not allow our country to be
destabilised. Zimbabwe is our country and we ought to defend it against the
works of our enemies.”
Vice President Mohadi, who is also Zanu-PF Second
Secretary, said the country’s strategic grain reserve had enough stocks to
provide food security for seven months. He said harvest from the 2018-2019
agricultural season would boost the stocks.
“I am aware that here in Mashonaland Central there are some
areas that are drought-prone. I can assure you that no one will die of hunger
anywhere in the country. Minister Perrance Shiri is in charge of agriculture
and every Tuesday he briefs Cabinet on the food security situation while the
Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare is in charge of the
distribution of grain. We have enough grain to last the next seven months.”
Government planned to build more hospitals countrywide and increase the number
of cancer screening centres, he said.
Government would also build more schools with requisite
learning material and infrastructure. The Vice President thanked the people in
Mashonaland Central province for resoundingly voting Zanu-PF in last year’s
elections.
“You demonstrated loyalty and commitment to Zanu-PF. You
demonstrated unparalleled patriotism as you supported President Mnangagwa. We
will remain grateful,” said VP Mohadi.
He paid tribute to the late national hero and music icon Dr
Oliver Mtukudzi who hailed from the province.
In her address, Zanu-PF national chairperson Cde Oppah
Muchinguri-Kashiri said Mashonaland Central was a resolute pillar of Zanu PF
with a strong bond to the liberation struggle.
“Mashonaland Central is crucial to us. It gave us Mbuya
Nehanda and many sons and daughters who died in the war for independence. We
were happy that Mashonaland Central rejected to be part of the recent
disturbances. We want you to continue on that path so that you defend your flag
and your resounding vote.”
Minister Shiri, who is also the most senior Zanu-PF
politburo member from Mashonaland Central, said the party’s huge support in the
province will not wane. Zanu-PF Mashonaland Central chairperson Cde Kazembe
Kazembe said the province was fully behind President Mnangagwa as it had
retained all 18 parliamentary seats in last year’s polls. The rally was also
attended by Zanu-PF national commissar Dr Engelbert Rugeje, politburo and
central committee members, legislators and traditional chiefs among other
guests. Sunday Mail
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