FORMER Industry and International Trade minister Nkosana Moyo has spoken out about his dramatic resignation from government almost 11 years ago, saying he did not betray Zimbabwe.
Report by Bernard Mpofu Chief Business Reporter
Addressing participants at a forum hosted by the Netherlands Embassy in Harare on Monday, Moyo blamed lack of dialogue in most African countries for the slow pace of development and polarisation.
“If you look at me, do I look like a dissident? If I disagree, I got to be put in a bucket where I am said to be disloyal to the State. So it goes back to the notion of what is a nation state,” he said.
Moyo added that most African governments were struggling to move forward due to incompetent bureaucrats that often received hefty salaries at the expense of the State.
He became the first minister in government to resign in 2001 in what was regarded as one of the most educated Cabinet formed by President Robert Mugabe. He was appointed after Zanu PF won a narrow majority in the parliamentary elections in June 2000. Moyo left the country to join his family in South Africa, saying that he was frustrated by lawlessness and attacks on farms and businesses by Zanu PF activists. After his shock resignation Mugabe criticised him for growing cold feet.
“I do not want ministers who are in the habit of running away. I want those I can call amadoda sibili (real men), people with spine,” Mugabe said then.
“Our revolution . . . was not fought by cowards. If some of you are getting weak-kneed, tell us and we will continue with the struggle.”
After his resignation, Moyo worked at Actis Capital LLP as managing partner for the Africa Business.
