Political Reporter
Zanu PF has issued a scathing response to US Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Pamela Tremont, following her recent claims that Zimbabweans are not benefitting from Chinese investments in the country.
In a strongly worded statement shared across the Party’s social media platforms, Zanu PF Director for Information, Farai Marapira, dismissed the Ambassador’s assertions as unfounded and reflective of a “neo-colonial mindset.”
He described her remarks as “neo-colonial revisionist drivel” and accused the United States of attempting to undermine Zimbabwe’s sovereignty and longstanding partnerships with China.
Marapira’s statement framed the Ambassador’s comments as an attempt to discredit the role of China in uplifting not just Zimbabwe but Africa as a whole.
“Neo-colonial revisionist drivel cannot be allowed to go unchecked. The @USEmbZim, through the auspices of its Ambassador, is hoisted by its own petard and cannot wail long and loud about China’s role in uplifting itself together with Africa. We are far from the unipolar world in which they enjoyed unfettered dominance and arbitrage over other countries,” he asserted.
The statement went on to highlight the deep historical and economic ties between Zimbabwe and China, which date back to the liberation struggle.
According to Marapira, China played an instrumental role in supporting Africa’s fight against colonialism and has remained a critical partner in Zimbabwe’s development since the country attained independence in 1980.
He pointed out that China has consistently invested in key sectors such as energy, transport, and communication, enabling Zimbabwe to modernize its infrastructure and expand its economy.
Citing specific examples, Marapira emphasized the transformative impact of Chinese-funded projects like the Kariba South Hydropower Station expansion, which has significantly boosted the country’s electricity generation capacity.
He also highlighted the construction of roads, bridges, and airports that have enhanced connectivity and driven economic activity.
Additionally, the National Sports Stadium in Harare, a donation from China, was described as a symbol of the enduring partnership between the two nations.
In stark contrast, Marapira accused the United States of prioritizing destabilization efforts over meaningful contributions to Zimbabwe’s development.
He alleged that US funding has been directed toward “fake abductions, sponsoring regime change, and all manner of false flag operations” rather than addressing the country’s developmental needs.
Marapira also underscored China’s role in revitalizing Zimbabwe’s agriculture and mining sectors, particularly through the provision of affordable machinery tailored to the needs of small and medium-scale operators.
He noted that Chinese equipment has empowered local farmers and miners to adopt mechanized practices, leading to increased productivity and economic growth.
In the mining sector, this support has driven record-breaking achievements, including the production of 37.4 metric tons of gold in 2022, with small-scale miners contributing 60% of the output.
The statement further highlights China’s pivotal involvement in Zimbabwe’s lithium mining sector, which has positioned the country as a key player in the global market for this critical mineral.
Marapira pointed to substantial Chinese investments, such as Sinomine Resource Group’s acquisition of the Bikita Minerals mine and Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt’s US$422 million investment in the Arcadia project.
These ventures, he said, have transformed Zimbabwe into a major hub for lithium production, vital for renewable energy and electric vehicle technologies.
Marapira described the United States’ approach as characteristic of a “narcissistic personality disorder,” asserting that it fails to acknowledge the capacity of other nations to develop independently.
“Unfortunately for them, the horse has bolted, and Zimbabwe, like the proverbial phoenix, has risen, and with it, new and old partnerships which we will defend and cherish. Neo-colonialism died with the decline of the unipolar world,” Marapira declared.
Meanwhile, Zanu PF’s response underscores the Party’s commitment to its alliance with China, portraying it as a vital pillar of Zimbabwe’s economic progress and a counterbalance to Western hegemony.
