'Repel Attacks on Economy, Security' in Zimbabwe

Republic of Zimbabwe Vice-President Joice Mujuru speaking on September 26, 2013. Mujuru was acting president while President Mugabe was at the UN General Assembly., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

‘Repel attacks on economy, security’

December 14, 2013
Walter Nyamukondiwa in Chinhoyi
Zimbabwe Herald

Vice President Joice Mujuru has warned that the regime change agenda did not die with the defeat of the MDC formations in the July 31 harmonised elections. In her address to the Zanu-PF 14th Annual National People’s Conference here yesterday, VP Mujuru said the revolutionary party’s resounding victory shocked the country’s enemies, but did not diminish their resolve to effect regime change.

“Against this background, may I remind all of us here present that the regime change agenda is not dead or gone simply because we won the elections,” said Zanu-PF’s Second Secretary.

VP Mujuru said this was evidenced by the continued strangulation of the economy via illegal sanctions, and the resurgence of banditry in neighbouring Mozambique.

She said consistent alertness and vigilance of all structures was needed to repel attacks on the country’s economy and security.
VP Mujuru said the economy was beset with low capacity utilisation and value addition, which could be addressed by assiduous implementation of Zim Asset.

Zim Asset, the Zanu-Pf Government’s economic strategy for 2013-2018, stands for Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation and it is premised on the party’s election manifesto.

The Vice President said there was a need to move away from net importation of goods to local value addition.

The annual conference, she said, should give the party the impetus to operationalise Zim-Asset as this would guide Zimbabwe to increased prosperity and poverty reduction.

“This year’s conference comes at a time when the party won resoundingly in the July 31 harmonised elections,” she said.

“As such, the conference should give us renewed vigour to eschew political and economic issues that will perpetuate the Zanu-PF dominance for the fulfilment of policies enunciated in the manifesto.”

VP Mujuru said Zim Asset hinged on a results-based management system that ensured accountability and service delivery.
She hailed President Mugabe for steering the country through the inclusive Government with wisdom and political ingenuity.

In his solidarity message, Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association chairperson Cde Jabulani Sibanda said Parliament should play its oversight role by crafting laws that consolidated the gains registered through the land reform.

He said Parliament should revoke title deeds held by former land owners who legally, from a technical perspective in some instances, still owned the land.

Student leader Mr Leopold Chakanyuka hailed President Mugabe for infusing a sense of pride in Zimbabweans.

“We thank you, Your Excellency for according us education which has become a source of pride for us as a nation,” he said.

“We walk with our heads held high when we meet people from other countries.”

Other messages came from Indigenous Business Development Corporation president Mr Ben Mucheche and party representatives from Johannesburg and London, who pledged their support to Zanu-PF and President Mugabe.