President Joice Mujuru: HARARE RALLY Full Speech.
SALUTATIONS
BACKGROUND SINCE 2014.
Most of you will recall that in 2014, together with other senior leaders in ZANU PF we came under serious attack facing several accusations ranging from extortion to treason. The unfounded allegations then resulted in our expulsion from ZANU PF. It was a traumatizing experience but we were sustained by your support as the people of Zimbabwe. Your support was truly amazing.
Today I stand here to tell you the truth. Everything said about us was a lie. Those who were used to create the lies have now come out in the open and revealed how they were abused. No lie can live forever!
It is a pity that instead of focusing on restoring the self-dignity of our people they turned this country into a highly intolerant and violent society. Instead of grooming the Youths into becoming responsible citizens, they teach them violence to the point of disrespecting the War Veterans. Cowards! They choose to unleash their wives and cowardly man to fabricate lies instead of formulating policies to transform this country. This country is in need of hope and transformation. We must pursue transformational politics instead of cheap power politics.
WHY ZIMBABWE PEOPLE FIRST?
Some of you might be under the impression that our Party, Zimbabwe People First is a grouping of disgruntled expelled former ZANU PF members. NO! As you might be aware, one of the accusations why we were expelled from ZANU PF was that we were perceived to be moderates who were pursuing pro-Western policies against the party position as defined by a few individuals. Our position has always been to put People First. Initially we thought we could achieve this from within, but our colleagues were not willing hence our expulsion.
Zimbabwe People First is therefore a new democratic and inclusive political party that accommodates every Zimbabwean regardless of age, gender, previous party affiliation, and race. It is not an extension of ZANU PF. I will not go back to ZANU PF. NO! Though founded by expelled senior ZANU PF members, Zimbabwe People First has since attracted people from the broad political spectrum including those who were previously apolitical. This diversity and our liberation struggle credentials make us a unique and democratic Zimbabwean political Party.
OUR PARTY IDEOLOGY – PEOPLE FIRST
As our name indicates, we are National Democrats and we believe in putting people’s interests first ahead of everything.
We are ZIMBABWEANS who seek to restore the Dignity, Economic, Political and Social emancipation for ALL PEOPLE who sacrificed their lives and all to achieve our political independence without discrimination or dehumanisation. We are ready to work with those who respect the values of the ZIMBABWEAN people to exercise their right to freely choose without fear or coercion.
Peace, Democracy and Prosperity for All.
HOPE AND TRANSFORMATION
As Zimbabwe People First we know what is wrong and we know what needs to be done to correct the prevailing situation. First and foremost we need to restore the self-dignity of our people in line with the values of the liberation struggle. As Zimbabwe People First, our plan covers five (5) clusters as explained in our policy document – BUILD.
Cluster 1 – Constitutionalism
We believe there must be one law for everyone. Currently we have a situation where a cattle rustler gets a 9-year jail term, but some senior government people misappropriate millions of public funds and are appointed to senior positions. We say no to the selective application of the law.
Zero tolerance towards corruption. Unchecked corruption brings an economy to its knees.
forcing ZESA to pay $5 million to an incompetent bidder for work not done bleeds the economy;
awarding a contract to your relatives without going to tender to produce electricity from diesel generators at very high prices, is a cost to everyone in the economy;
tolerating corruption breeds grand corruption;
In this regard, as responsible citizens we should not tolerate electricity tariff charges meant to support unsustainable and corrupt energy projects.
Freedom of Association and Expression
Our freedom as a people is not complete if we cannot freely associate and express ourselves in a lawful manner as enshrined in our State Constitution.
This is what we fought for.
Away with POSA and AIPPA. Our War Veterans must associate freely without fear of being teargased or water cannoned. Our people must not be force-marched to make up a million man marches. NO!
Respect and enforce property rights
Guarantee investment rights.
We shall give the vote to Zimbabweans in diaspora.
Cluster 2 – Economic Transformation
We shall restore investor confidence through ensuring a level playing field, consistent and predictable policies.
Promote investment across all sectors whilst pushing for social and economic empowerment of our people.
Repeal Indigenisation Act and enact an Empowerment Act.
The Agricultural and Land Policy
Make sustainable land use accessible to all.
Give immediate value to agricultural land by promoting a transparent land policy framework that attracts investment, creates, promotes and supports security of tenure and bankable leases.
We shall rationalize existing farm sizes in line with agro-economic regions and or production capacity.
We shall carry out a land audit to check multiple farm ownership and productivity on each farm.
We shall promote and support transparent contract and corporate farming models to ensure self-sufficiency and a surplus for export.
We shall promote value addition of agricultural produce locally to maximize on exports.
We shall promote the establishment and resuscitation of irrigation schemes to boost production through public and private sector partnerships.
We shall promote and support the establishment of an Agriculture Commodity Exchange.
Banking and Financial Sector
For nearly ten(10) years now, Zimbabwe has no currency of its own.
Restore investor confidence and attract lines of credit to lead to employment creation, expansion of exports and achieve higher standards of living of the general populace.
Current cash crisis is a result of outflows, which are more than inflows since dollarisation, so bond notes will not address this problem.
People First will restore the jewel of Africa and the breadbasket status.
Debt Resolution Strategy
In the long term we intent to settle all our debts and focus on capital as opposed to consumption investment.
Manufacturing Sector Advancement
We shall put in place adequate and affordable lines of credit, through guarantee of property rights, sanctity of contracts and other investor protection mechanisms.
We shall encourage and support quality local manufacturing through a concerted “buy local” campaign and appropriate tax incentives and in the process reduce import bill.
Zimbabwe has become a net importing supermarket for other countries.
Mining Sector Advancement
We shall make our mining legislation investor friendly in line with international best practice under BUILD.
We shall ensure that the proceeds from the extractive sector flow to the people through transparent and accountable systems in the whole sector.
We shall review legislation and enforce implementation of laws on land reclamation and the environment.
In mining we shall insist on agreed local participation whilst emphasizing empowerment of surrounding communities and the nation at large.
Parastatals Reforms
Parastatals and State Enterprises will not enjoy State subsidies indefinitely if at all. We shall depoliticize, commercialize and privatize Parastatals / State owned enterprises as necessary to ensure accountability, commercial viability, effective delivery and transparency.
The above will generate growth in Gross Domestic Product (GDP), increase the tax base, create employment and release immediate resources to government for other programmes, whilst creating investment opportunities in the national economy.
Government’s primary role shall be to facilitate, promote and regulate to ensure a level playing field in the economy with minimum direct State participation.
Conservancies and Tourism Sector Advancement
We shall ensure that there is legislation to promote and support Conservancies and Tourism, to guarantee the preservation of our natural resources through sustainable use, security of tenure and global viability.
Cluster 3 – Infrastructure
Energy Sector Advancement (Read from Notes)
We shall promote and support investor friendly tariffs in the sector.
We shall promote and support the development and expansion of existing Hydro Electric Power and Thermal Power stations through a consistent and transparent Public-Private-Partnerships (PPP) framework.
We shall encourage, promote and support the exploration and development of new and renewable energy sources.
We shall promote and support investment in the exploitation of Coal Bed Methane resources.
We shall promote and support the development of solar and wind energy.
We shall streamline the whole value chain of liquid fuels for efficiency and value for money.
Telecoms and Transport Sector Advancement (Read from Notes)
We shall encourage, promote and support regional and international best practice in the telecoms sector for the benefit of all stakeholders under BUILD.
We shall promote and support air, rail and road infrastructure development through transparent and viable Public-Private-Partnerships (PPP) models to surpass regional standards and make Zimbabwe the regional hub.
Water and Sanitation Sector Advancement (Talk to this)
We shall promote and support investor friendly tariffs in the sector.
We shall promote and support the development of new water sources for all urban areas through appropriate Public-Private-Partnerships (PPP) models.
We shall promote and support investment in the rehabilitation of existing sewer and water reticulation systems through appropriate Public-Private-Partnerships (PPP) models.
We shall promote and support the development of dams, de-siltation programs and the reclamation of river systems to protect the environment.
We shall enact regulations to ensure sewer and water reticulation before any new housing and industrial developments can be sold.
We shall encourage, promote and support secure water sources in the rural areas.
Cluster 4 – International Relations and National Security
Foreign Policy
We will neither look East nor West but everywhere as a Sovereign independent state for the benefit of our people first.
National Security Establishment (Talk to this)
We recognise and respect the role of the SECURITY SECTOR in fostering law and order and maintaining peace and security in Zimbabwe.
The security establishment shall be apolitical, well resourced and we shall promote meritocracy and professionalism.
Cluster 5 – Social Transformation.
Education Sector Advancement
We shall ensure that there is primary education for all.
We shall promote e-learning in schools.
We shall encourage, promote and support investment in science and technology.
We shall encourage and promote life-sustaining skills through emphasizing practical subjects, promoting and supporting the relevant technical and vocational training centers.
We shall ensure that the Education sector is fully resourced to address low morale, equipment and textbook shortages, in line with regional and international best practice to meet skills needs of the economy now and in future under BUILD.
We shall link the civil service skills audit and manpower planning strategy so as to inform the curriculum development in the education sector.
We shall encourage, promote and support extra-curricular activities through a robust arts, culture and sports initiative at national level.
Health Sector Advancement
We shall ensure that there is basic health hygiene, education and basic health care for all.
We shall ensure that the health sector is fully resourced to address low morale, drug shortages, and re-tool in line with regional and international best practice under BUILD.
Housing Sector Advancement
We shall promote and support decent housing development through public and private sector by reviewing regulations and taxes, to ensure sector consistency and transparency across the country.
We shall encourage, promote and support basic minimum housing standards in the rural areas through incentives.
11. WAY FORWARD
Everyone has a right to vote.
Your vote determines your future as a Zimbabwean.
We shall continue to fight for a level electoral playing field to restore the confidence of our electorate.
Zimbabwe must move forward, economically, socially and politically. Let us BUILD Zimbabwe together.
God Bless You, God Bless Zimbabwe. I Thank You.