By Rungano Dzikira
Government has taken a swipe at detractors intending to tarnish the first family’s name by aligning it to corrupt and criminal activities, all in a bid to cause despondency among citizens.
Speaking at a press briefing in Harare, this Monday, Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Monica Mutsvangwa said that the second republic would not be deterred from pursuing its pledge to honesty, transparency and accountability due to detractors intending to use any possible tactics to stir Zimbabweans into an uprising.
“I address you this afternoon on the back of several malicious reports that have sought to drag the name of the First Family, by alleging that it has a hand in corrupt and criminal activities.
“These malicious reports that seek to link the President, His Excellency, Cde ED Mnangagwa and his family to corrupt individuals are by no means a coincidence; rather they are well-coordinated attacks on the system, which is intended to agitate Zimbabweans into demonstrations and uprising.”
This comes on the back of unfounded allegations of corruption and first family involvement in Henrietta Rushwaya’s gold smuggling case, which have since been cleared off by the police.
According to the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner, Paul Nyathi, allegations by one Gift Karanda that the impounded gold belonged to the first lady, Amai Auxillia Mnangagwa and her son Collins Mnangagwa were proved to have been false.
“Comprehensive investigations have proved that the statement by Gift Karanda was false and malicious with intent to defeat or obstruct the course of justice.”
The Minister added that the second republic remained committed to its pledge to serve the country well.
“The goal of the 2nd Republic is to build a new Zimbabwe based on the crown values of honesty, transparency, accountability and hard work.”
As such measures continue to be taken to vigorously ensure that any and all criminal activities that prejudice the nation were stamped out. Such measures have resulted in the arrest and prosecution of several senior Government officials, a testimony to His Excellency, ED Mnangagwa’s stance that there are no sacred cows in the fight against corruption.
Turning to the economy, she highlighted that from the onset, the 2nd Republic pronounced that it would prioritize economy growth and development, through a reform agenda clearly articulated in the Transitional Stabilization Programme.
“Predictions by the country’s detractors to the effect that the economy would implode by year end have been shown to be wishful thinking; on the contrary, the country has achieved macroeconomic stability and tamed inflation much to the disappointment of purveyors of doom.”
Reminiscing on the President’s inaugural State of the Nation Address on 20 December 2017, she said that President Mnangagwa categorically stated that Government would have a zero tolerance towards corruption.
“This is because economic development requires a clean Government. Government has remained consistent in the fight against corruption and this has seen the establishment of a Special Anti-Corruption Unit, anti-corruption courts country wide, and the capacitation of the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission. Under the New Dispensation, ZACC now has arresting powers and has the financial and human resources to carry out its duties,” she explained.
She then called upon the media fraternity to introspect their role in nation building and development. And urged everyone to continue supporting the fight against corruption by using several platforms that include the whistle-blowers application to report fraud and corruption.
