STATE Security minister Sydney Sekeremayi has thrown his weight behind Zanu PF’s controversial indigenisation and empowerment programme, saying it was bound to succeed despite criticism from other quarters of society.
Report by Elias Mambo/Tarisai Tahungai
“No one will stop this process. They may try anything, but this is something meant to empower the indigenous people, “Sekeramayi told NewsDay in an interview in Uzumba-Maramba-Pfungwe where preparations are underway for the launch of the community share ownership scheme.
“Time has come for us to own resources. We should own mines and companies because they belong to us,” Sekeremayi said.
In a veiled attack on Reserve Bank governor Gideon Gono, who in the past has openly attacked the programme blaming it for scaring away potential investors, Sekeremayi said: “Instead of meddling with indigenisation, they must make sure that we are not given biltong for change when we buy in the shops. That is their area, not indigenisation.”
Speaking at the same function, Kasukuwere said he would make sure that banks would follow the indigenisation rules, and any bank that did not toe the line “must pack its bags”.
“I am alive to the challenges of indigenisation and we are getting hold of sacred areas which for long have served interests of individuals,” Kasukuwere said.
“I will not shut up as long as banks are not indigenised. Those who do not want banks to be indigenised are enjoying benefits on personal terms and as long as I am alive, banks will follow the rules.
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“This is not my rule, it is an Act of Parliament and banks such as Standard Charttered must pack and go. Those who are protecting them must also go with them,” he said.
Gono has on several occasions warned the government against its planned seizure of majority stakes in foreign-owned banks, saying the move breached the country’s own banking laws.
