Government has taken note of a Pastoral Letter of the
Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops Conference which curiously opens with a eulogy to an
American politician and purports to speak to the current situation in Zimbabwe,
Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Permanent Secretary Mr Nick
Mangwana said.
In a statement he said; “Government reiterates that
Zimbabwe, like most countries in the world is currently grappling with
challenges attendant to illegal sanctions, drought and the Coronavirus
pandemic. There is no ‘crisis’, political or otherwise. It is unfortunate that
the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishop’s Conference has evidently joined the bandwagon of
individuals and entities seeking to manufacture ‘crises’ in the country with
the sole aim of achieving known political goals.
“To this end, the grouping deliberately ignores the
following facts; President Mnangagwa and Government have demonstrated serious
commitment to dealing with corruption through the setting up of the Special
Anti-Corruption Unit (SACU) and re-empowering of the Zimbabwe Anti-corruption
Commission (ZACC). Several high profile
arrests have been made to date and the court cases are at varying stages.
“President Mnangagwa and his Government, have since
inauguration, sought to implement policies that result in a robust economy in
line with Vision 2030. Indeed, one of the President’s leading targets is for
Zimbabwe to be an Upper Middle Economy by 2030. It is however, mischievously
misleading for the Bishops to deliberately ignore the impact of illegal
sanctions on the country, in their purported assessment of problems afflicting
the country. Given the forces against it, natural and man-made, domestic and
foreign, Government has managed to keep the country’s economy commendably
stable.
“The President has consistently been the leading voice in
acknowledging, appreciating and rewarding all who contributed to the country’s
liberation, including the mujibhas and chimbwidos whom the Bishops seem to have
suddenly and conveniently remembered. In that vein, the President has severally
met with liberation war fighters to hear their concerns and views and has not
in any way neglected them, neither has Government, which continues to explore
ways of improving their welfare.
“The Second Republic, led by President Mnangagwa embarked
on the first phase of the Land Audit which has now been completed. Following
the audit, under-utilised land will be allocated in line with Government
policy. It is Government’s wish that Zimbabweans at large aspire to own land and
produce for their country instead of negotiating to be farm labourers
“Government continues to engage all stakeholders in the
land issue and the signing of the Global Compensation Agreement in fulfillment
of the Country’s Constitution does not in any way, undermine or close the door
for farm workers to negotiate with their Government on any issue. Government is
a Government for all.
The Zimbabwe Government remains committed to overcoming the
present challenges bedevilling the country and ensuring a prosperous and
democratic Zimbabwe for all citizens in line with His Excellency President
Emmerson Mnangagwa’s vision.” Herald
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