PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday said Government was
working on interventions to arrest cash shortages in the country as he deplored
profiteering tendencies by retailers through random hiking of prices of basic
commodities.
In his closing remarks at the Zanu-PF Extraordinary
Congress here, the party’s First Secretary said the issue of cash shortages was
of serious concern to all Zimbabweans.
He, however, called for patience, saying Zimbabweans will
soon realise the benefits of a new economic era.
“I realise that people still have very little access to
their hard earned cash. The frustration is felt more so now as we prepare for
the festive season and thereafter the beginning of the school term,” said
President Mnangagwa.
“My Government remains committed to redress the structural
problems that have resulted in this state of affairs.
President Mnangagwa said the $1,5 billion facility availed
to the country by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) in the past week
would help ease cash shortages in the country.
“I wish to mention that we have discussed with the
Afreximbank which will assist us in this sector as well as other financial
institutions,” he said.
“To this end, comprehensive measures will be rolled out to
address this issue starting of course with fiscal discipline, drastic reduction
of the budget deficit and increased productivity. I urge all of us to be
patient; soon we will see the benefits of the new economic era.”
Turning to retailers, President Mnangagwa said they should
have the people at heart in their conduct of business.
“I exhort all retailers and service providers to desist
from wantonly increasing prices,” he said.
“I urge us to stop profiteering tendencies; let us have the
people at heart; let us give our new economic era a chance. We can achieve this
by working together and putting our nation first.”
President Mnangagwa said the Government was committed to
turning around the fortunes of its people through empowerment programmes and
the creation of jobs.
“On my part, I assure you that these are not pipe-dreams.
Government will move with haste to ensure that all agreed programmes become a
reality in the shortest possible period. Both the party and its Government will
no longer be about talk but about work and delivery,” he said.
President Mnangagwa said the Government would give
particular attention to social services and infrastructural development.
He said the Government was working on constructing 400 000
housing units throughout the country by the time of going for elections next
year with a return to proper planning of settlements.
“On housing delivery, we will return to proper planning of
settlements and provision of the requisite development infrastructure such as
roads, water, sanitation and power,” said President Mnangagwa.
“The age of land barons is over, so too is the age of
haphazard settlements which crop up overnight. All who were perpetrators of
this corrupt and untenable practice must stand warned.”
President Mnangagwa reiterated calls for the collective
fight against corruption, saying party members should show exemplary behaviour.
“Corruption, corruption, corruption! Let us vow as a party
that this evil must come to an end Now! As a party let us stop corruption,” he
said.
“Let us be exemplary in our conduct and dealings with
society. Let us never allow people to use their party membership as a cover to
be corrupt, to cut corners doing shady deals. This party should never be a
haven for corrupt opportunists and the vile of our society, No! No!No!.”
President Mnangagwa called for a change of behaviour from
some cadres, saying the party must lead the new trajectory that the country is
taking.
“The party itself must also set an example of the kind of
new course we are on as a nation. In the recent past, the party and its prominent
members have at times demonstrated extravagance and wastefulness not befiting a
revolutionary, liberation movement. No more,” he said.
“In this new era, we will once again be a frugal, humble
institution whose every fibre is dedicated to the wellbeing of the Zimbabwean
people. The decision to cut the length and budget of this Congress was taken
within this spirit and as a clear signal of our intentions.” Herald
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