PRESIDENT Mnangagwa yesterday reiterated his
administration’s unwavering fight against corruption saying the door to graft
has been shut warning that those who want to pursue that route would face dire
consequences.
In his Heroes Day address broadcast live from State House
in Harare, the President said Government makes no apologies in its enforcement
of transparency and accountability across the country’s socio, economic and
political spectrum.
“The Second Republic has, since its inception, accelerated
the entrenchment and consolidation of democracy, constitutionalism and the rule
of law in pursuit of social justice and equal opportunities for the economic
empowerment of the previously marginalised majority,” said President Mnangagwa.
“Informed by a cardinal ethos during the liberation
struggle, the 2nd Republic’s thrust in the fight against corruption is
unwavering. My administration therefore makes no apologies for fixing our
systems across the socio, economic and political spectrum. Accountability and
transparency will keep on being enforced in every facet of our society. The
door to the old manner of doing things is closed. The corrupt way is shut and
those who choose that route will face dire consequences.”
President Mnangagwa said the day occupies a special place
in the country’s history and development as the nation remembers and pay
tribute to countrymen and women who paid the supreme sacrifice for the
liberation of Zimbabwe.
He, however, said the celebrations were being held in the
midst of the Covid-19 pandemic hence the decision to forego the usual fanfare
in compliance with the World Health Organisation’s Guidelines. Still on
Covid-19, President Mnangagwa called on Zimbabweans to be more vigilant in the
face of an upsurge of infections and deaths.
“We must all adhere to the World Health Organisation, WHO,
guidelines which include wearing masks, social distancing and practicing good
hygiene. Government will continue to scale up testing, contact tracing and
isolating those who have tested positive,” he said.
President Mnangagwa said the commemorations were also being
held against the background of renewed glaring, and unjustified attacks by our
perennial detractors, both inside and outside Zimbabwe.
He urged Zimbabweans not to lose heart or be discouraged
but look back to the country’s rich history and draw lessons from the departed
heroes who since the 1890s, united and showed resilience in their gallant fight
against oppressive forces.
“As the heroes of yesteryear, today we have no alternative;
we must as Zimbabweans close ranks by uniting, in peace, harmony and with
resolute patriotism and self-love to chart a brighter future for ourselves and
for the sake of our motherland.
“Our position is clear; a firm foundation has been laid and
continues to be strengthened for a thriving constitutional democracy, and a
just, open, accountable and prosperous society. With unfaltering determination,
and emboldened by the experiences of the unrelenting attacks on our country in
the past two decades, we know that the future is bright. Our success is
inevitable,” said President Mnangagwa.
“The divisive falsehoods and concoctions by renegades and
supremacists who want to pounce on our natural resources will never win the
day. Truth shall triumph over lies, and good over evil. Viva Zimbabwe! Viva
Zimbabwe! Forward ever, backward never!”
President Mnangagwa said in spite of the continued illegal
sanctions imposed by some Western countries coupled with the negative impact of
climate change which has affected economic growth projections, the Government
has embarked on a number of programmes to accelerate national development.
“Land was one of the major reasons the country’s gallant
sons and daughters took up arms to fight for the liberation of our beloved
country. The 2nd Republic under my administration continues to consolidate the
gains of the revolution. We shall never betray the principles of the
revolution. The blood of those who fought for our land shall forever be
honoured through maximum use of our land,” he said.
To that effect President Mnangagwa said the First Phase of
the Land Audit has now been completed and under-utilised land identified
through the audit will be allocated in line with Government Policy.
He said a multi-pronged Agriculture Recovery Plan being
rolled out to increase productivity of maize, wheat, soya beans and traditional
grains.
The President said the implementation of the Pfumvudza
Concept is progressing well and will see a transformation to food security at
household level.
“Farmers are encouraged to honour the departed heroes by
taking full advantage of the recapitalisation of the Command Agriculture
programme, dam construction, irrigation development and mechanisation
programmes which my administration is undertaking in partnership with the
private sector. The setting of pre-planting producer prices as an incentive
together with the Growth Plan must give impetus to our farmers to boost
production and productivity,” he said.
President Mnangagwa said the Strategic Roadmap for the
attainment of a US$12 billion Mining Sector by 2023 is on course while the use
it or lose it principle is being strictly enforced in order to unlock resources
for enhanced production.
He said the Mines and Minerals Act (Chapter 21:05) is being
amended into a competitive, modern, investor-friendly and supportive law which
will benefit the majority of our people.
The President said through robust modern and innovative
synergies between the ministries of Energy and Mines, Zimbabwe is on track to
emerge as a net exporter of energy by 2023.
President Mnangagwa said the 2nd Republic’s vision of a
private sector-led industrial development is gaining momentum with the Zimbabwe
National Industrialisation Policy Framework focusing on the resuscitation of
industry, establishment of new industries, export development, innovation and
rural industry systems beginning to bear fruit.
He said the translation of knowledge into goods and
services spearheaded by the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education,
Innovation, Science and Technology Development through Education 5.0 will
further accelerate sustainable socio-economic modernisation and transformation.
“Considerable road construction and rehabilitation is
underway throughout our country. Two days ago, I was pleased to officially open
a portion of the Harare-Masvingo-Beitbridge highway. This attests to our
abilities as a people to use our own local skills and resources to improve our
infrastructure and overall quality of life.
“In line with our Devolution Policy, the Tourism Recovery
and Growth Strategy I launched last week will result in a broader geographical
spread of tourism development with benefits accruing to the whole nation,” said
President Mnangagwa.
“In addition, the devolution policy has begun to enhance
the democratic participation of our communities in decision making. This is in
turn promoting good governance, equalisation and development that leaves no one
behind, in our bid to maintain a prosperous unitary Zimbabwe. This is the
multi-faceted heritage bequeathed to us by the heroes and heroines we are
remembering today.”
President Mnangagwa said the recently introduced
macro-economic stabilisation measures have stabilised the local currency and
reduced volatility in the prices of goods and services as well as creating a
conducive business environment.
He said the Government continues to prioritise the security
and welfare of vulnerable citizens through the Food Deficit Mitigation
Programme. Herald
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