PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe yesterday defended security forces’ involvement in business ventures with local and foreign partners saying the move was meant to boost the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).
PAIDAMOYO MUZULU SENIOR REPORTER Speaking at the 34th Defence Forces Day commemorations at the National Sports Stadium, Mugabe said the government fully supported the business ventures.
The Zimbabwe Defence Forces has of late been investing in agriculture, mining and education mainly in partnership with Chinese companies.
“Operation Maguta, a project which started in 2000, has since been expanded to greater levels, producing substantial amounts of maize and wheat in a joint venture project with the Chinese at Hunyani Estate in Chinhoyi,” Mugabe said.
“The Zimbabwe Defence Forces is contributing to the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socioeconomic Transformation (ZimAsset) through this and several other commercial projects that will, in the medium to long term, contribute significantly to the country’s GDP.”
The military has a significant stake in the Marange diamond fields.
Civil society groups and the opposition have often raised concern over the involvement of the security forces in diamond mining activities, saying they were being used as conduits for looting and smuggling of mineral proceeds.
Meanwhile, Mugabe also said Zimbabwe’s defence forces continue to play a leading role in co-ordinating regional security matters.
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