PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe yesterday said he is prepared to work with “progressive members of the international community” including the “arrogant” Western countries that imposed sanctions on his Zanu PF regime.
EVERSON MUSHAVA
While officially opening the First Session of the Eighth Parliament in Harare, Mugabe said his government was looking forward to meaningful and effective collaboration with the international community. One of the key result areas of this Parliament would be to align laws to the new Constitution, the President said.
“We indeed stand ready to work with those who, before, were at odds with us and our detractors,” Mugabe said.
“On the other hand, Zimbabwe will continue to demand the immediate and unconditional removal of the illegal sanctions imposed by some arrogant Western countries. Regionally, we will continue to play an effective role in the African Union, Comesa and Sadc where we have recently been elected as the deputy chair,” Mugabe said.
Mugabe’s government is embroiled in a diplomatic tiff with the United States and the European Union over the imposition of sanctions on his Zanu PF regime. The 89-year-old leader demands their unconditional removal citing the recent holding of “peaceful” polls.
The West has, however, maintained that they would not remove the sanctions claiming that the elections won by Mugabe were not fair or credible.
Mugabe also said his government would push for the implementation of the indigenisation programme with “renewed vigour”. The aim, he said, was to allow locals to become “significant stakeholders in the running of the national economy”, and not to be “bystanders”.
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He said the indigenisation laws would be reviewed and strengthened, while an evaluation mechanism would be put in place to ensure proper management of the community development share ownership schemes around the country.
“To this end, the National Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Fund will be capitalised so as to give impetus to the implementation process.”
Investors have shunned Zimbabwe, denying the country the much-needed foreign direct investment, citing the country’s controversial indigenisation laws.
Mugabe, whose previous administrations have been weighed down by allegations of corruption, said he would not brook such rot this time round.
He said the establishment of an independent body, the National Prosecuting Authority, under the new Constitution would bolster his fight against corruption.
“My government will exercise zero tolerance to the scourge of corruption,” said Mugabe. “The composition of the Anti-Corruption Commission will also be aligned to the new Constitution, while anti-corruption commissioners will be required to adhere to a strict code of ethics and to also publicly declare their assets.”
Mugabe said a Constituency Development Fund Bill would also be tabled before Parliament to improve accountability in the way the CDF would be managed. This follows allegations of abuse of the fund by the previous legislators.
“Members of this Parliament should take note that the law will descend heavily on all those who will abuse the fund;” Mugabe charged.
Parastatals which have the potential to contribute 40% of the Gross Domestic Product would be revamped into competitive entities, the President said.
Heads of parastatals would sign performance-based contracts as government adopts a results-based management approach to force accountability and service delivery.
Mugabe also reiterated his earlier promise to review salaries and conditions of work for civil servants.
He also said government would mobilise funds for the resuscitation of closed or distressed companies while efforts to promote domestic and foreign investment would be pursued thorough private and public partnerships.
The mining sector, Mugabe said, would play a catalytic role in the revival of the country’s economy.
