by Dorcas Rumano
The National Vendors Union of Zimbabwe (NAVUZ) leader, Mr Stern Zvorwadza has described President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa as a 'Double Hero' who fought two liberation struggles to liberate the people of Zimbabwe from economic and political bondage.
Speaking during an engagement meeting with informal traders with President Mnangagwa, Mr Zvorwadza said, "I want to thank President Mnangagwa, he is a double hero who fought the liberation struggle, and again fought another liberation struggle together with Vice President Contastino Chiwenga and their lieutenants in November last year.”
He added, "If you ask Nelson Chamisa (leader of opposition MDC Alliance), he will tell you that President is a Double hero."
Mr Zvorwadza said everyone in the country acknowledged that President Mnangagwa and VP Chiwenga were the heroes of this time.
The leader of NAVUZ lambasted the MDC-T led Harare City Council (HCC) for failing to both develop the city and address their needs as vendors during their five year term of office. He called upon the Government to create a Commission of Enquiries that would audit and expose all the corrupt urban councilors who were in office since 2013.
Mr Zvorwadza said, "We want the nation to know that the urban (MDC-T) councilors were stealing from people. We don’t want to go to election with our eyes closed."
In a speech read on his behalf by Minister of Environment, Water and Climate, Honourable Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, President Mnangagwa said his administration was working towards rebuilding the country.
He said the Government was working towards the establishment of stalls at Mbare Siyaso and Glenview Home Industry, to improve the working conditions of vendors and informal traders.
"We are now in a new Zimbabwe, a new era. My Government will build a new Zimbabwe. Our country must quickly develop, leap frog and catch up with the rest of countries in the world.
I'm aware that you have concerns that you have articulated such as harassment by Municipal police, and challenges in accessing loans," said President Mnangagwa.
President Mnangagwa added, "My Government is committed to fight corruption within councils and at border posts."
The President said he launched Women's and Empowerment bank and encouraged all informal traders to apply and access loans through such banks.
President Mnangagwa also encouraged informal traders to use money transfer platforms that do not charge extra amounts when transacting. He urged all the attendees to remain peaceful during and after elections.
The event was attended by Zanu PF senior officials including Harare provincial chairman, Mr Goodwills Masimirembwa.
