Tafadzwa Nyikadzino

President Emmerson Mnangagwa today blamed the country’s opposition politicians and foreign forces for crippling the country’s economy, describing them as Dark forces that have tempered with the country’s growth and prosperity.

In his national address, President Mnangagwa said his administration has faced attacks from its inauguration from some opposition elements, illegal sanctions, local currency manipulators and detractors aimed at seeing his reforms fail to improve the plight of the majority of Zimbabweans.

“The new dispensation came with the clear goal to improve the plight of the majority of our people through an elaborate agenda to reform, restructure and rebuild towards the achievement of vision 2020. Undoubtedly, my administrations has faced many huddles and attacks since its inauguration. These included the divisive politics of some opposition elements, the illegal economic sanctions, cyclones, droughts and more recently the deadly Covid 19 pandemic”

“Added to this is the economic aggression, local currency manipulation and detractors who fear the inevitable imminent success of our reform. All this was meant to undermine our projected economic grownth and stability. As a result we to constantly recalibrate our compass to ensure that we remain on course and that the standard of life of the majority of our society gets better and better,” President Mnangagwa said.

He promised to defeat the attacks and stop their effects which are bleeding the economy by “flashing out” the “bad apples” which he accused of attempting to divide the people and weaken the systems set by the new dispensation.

The address comes at a time where President Mnangagwa is facing accusations of failing to implement the political reforms he promised during his election campaign, and using security forces to stifle human rights and political freedoms.

But the President said he has effected political reforms by repealing two laws, AIPPA and POSA which were previously labelled as draconian, and revealed that the reforms of opening up and liberalising the economy will be accelerated.

“The reforms, opening up, liberalisation and modernisation we began shall continue with accelerated pace. Our political reforms have equally been guided by these twin concepts. We repealed and replaced POSA, and AIPPA in the spirit of these ideals. The new legislation, the maintenance of order and peace act MOPA was created after much deliberation and consultation. My administration remains committed to enhance incorporation with friends and partners in the international community as we entrench democracy and the rule of law within our jurisdiction,”

“We will strive to achieve the balance between the maintenance of peace and stability on one hand and protecting civil and individual rights on the other. In all circumstances, public officials and security services will carry out their duties with appropriate astuteness and resolve. The protection of the right to life is paramount especially in light with the Covid 19 pandemic and machinations by destructive terrorist opposition groupings,” said President Mnangagwa.

Political tensions are high in Zimbabwe between the government and opposition parties, with the latter accusing the former of being corrupt and neglecting the plight of the citizens, while the former accuse the latter of working with foreign forces to cause political instability in the country.