We’ve failed: Mujuru

Politics
THE government yesterday admitted that most of its policies were not working and was revisiting them to ensure that the collapsing national economy could be revived.

THE government yesterday admitted that most of its policies were not working and was revisiting them to ensure that the collapsing national economy could be revived.

MOSES MATENGA STAFF REPORTER

Addressing hundreds of mourners at the burial of Brigadier-General John Zingoni at the National Heroes’ Acre in Harare yesterday, Acting President Joice Mujuru said the government was “revisiting” policies and “revising” others in an attempt to revive the economy.

“The government continues to revisit some of its policies, revise its modes of doing work,” Mujuru said.

“Above all, we continue to create space for you and me to pursue opportunities. Admittedly, it is too early to have results, but definitive steps are being undertaken,” she said.

Analysts said Mujuru’s statement was an admission that Zanu PF’s economic policies, including the much-touted ZimAsset, were not working and needed revision.

The government has been pursuing populist policies that have had a boomerang effect on the economy, which is now in free-fall.

Of late, the Zanu PF-led government has softened its once tough and aggressive stance on the indigenisation policy as championed by the former Indigenisation minister Saviour Kasukuwere.

The unfriendly economic policies have driven away potential investors at a time the country needed them most.

President Robert Mugabe was conspicuous by his absence and had not returned from his “routine eye check-up” in Singapore, where he went a week ago.

Present at the national shrine were Zanu PF national chairperson Simon Khaya Moyo, secretary for administration Dydimus Mutasa, Speaker of the National Assembly Jacob Mudenda, among other government officials.

Buhera South MP Joseph Chinotimba, a comic character, stole the thunder from the usually reliable Zanu PF choir when he joined them on the dance floor.

Mujuru, who stuck to her prepared speech throughout the address, described the late Zingoni as a dedicated cadre who devoted his life in defence of the country.

Zingoni succumbed to a heart ailment last week at the age of 60.

The burial was attended by members of the security forces and a handful of Zanu PF supporters.