Mugabe sees turnaround

Politics
PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe yesterday claimed the economy was on the rebound as a result of blueprints and strategies introduced by his government.

PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe yesterday claimed the economy was on the rebound as a result of blueprints and strategies introduced by his government.

EVERSON MUSHAVA CHIEF REPORTER

Addressing guests at the 2014 President’s Medal Shooting Competition prize-giving ceremony in Harare, Mugabe said the Zanu PF government had employed several strategies to rescue the economy from the woods.

He said the turnaround strategy was anchored on the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socioeconomic Transformation (ZimAsset) and Integrated Results-Based Management (IRBM) system.

“Part of this shooting competition makes reference to socioeconomic transformation,” he said.

“Let me assure our people that the country’s economy is on a recovery path. The government is going to employ several measures aimed at achieving desired results. Key among such strategies is ZimAsset.”

Mugabe’s remarks come at a time analysts have expressed concern over the country’s deteriorating economy. The worsening situation is characterised by deflation, massive job losses and company closures.

Unemployment, according to unofficial statistics, is now soaring above 90% with the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Union claiming that over 300 workers are retrenched every week.

The government last week announced that it could no longer guarantee pay days for civil servants because it was struggling to raise money to fund their salaries.

But Mugabe insisted the economic problems were easing and the new strategies would bear results.

“ZimAsset will have all government and quasi-government institutions formulate their strategic action plans to be supervised through the Integrated Results-Based Management,” he said.

“IRBM Is a strategic management tool aimed at effectively eradicating malperformance. It focuses on enhancing commitment and duty consciousness in all government workforces.

“I’m confident that the implementation of IRBM should effectively bring about the desired success of our economic turnaround.”

The shooting competition, which brought together top shooters from the police, army, prisons, intelligence and the general public was held under the theme “Sharpening existing skills towards national security and socioeconomic transformation”.

Speaking at the same event, host police Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri described Mugabe as a visionary leader and awarded him “the best shooter of all time” award.