Jane Mlambo| The ruling ZANU PF party has spoken on the current economic situation obtaining in Zimbabwe saying shortages of fuel is artificial and smacks of a hidden hand.
Read below statement from Zanu PF;
Zanu PF notes the current rise in the cost of living triggered by the unjustified escalation in the prices of essential goods and commodities.
The party acknowledges that the struggle of the common people is real.
The road to economic prosperity as in the biblical story of Moses on his journey to Canaan the Promised Land, was mired by trials and tribulations. As a country, we are on a similar journey as it is currently being experienced.
We have observed signs of negative forces bent on derailing our set economic trajectory of Zimbabwe being open for business, which is meant for the attainment of a Middle income economy by 2030.
Various forms and patterns of these evil forces have been manifesting, stretching from street peddling of currencies on the informal market leading to speculation and fluctuation of exchange rates, gradually offloading of goods onto the black market for sale at exorbitant prices, artificial shortage of fuel and other essential commodities.
It is quite perturbing to note that these development come at a time when government has assigned colossal efforts and attention towards the economy and instituted measures aimed at restoring the much needed economic stability and growth.
We believe that the emerging economic turbulence charactering out economy is a consequence of reactionary forces, misinformed perceptions, truancy and economic indiscipline by some individuals and entities in our midst, riding on the back of the recent pronouncement of the fiscal measures through the Transitional Stabilization Program by the minister of finance and economic development, Honorable Professor Mthuli Ncube.
There is no doubt that if supported, these measures will deliver our great nation from the economic abyss to the promised land of milk and honey as propounded in the vision of His Excellency the President and First Secretary of ZANU PF Cde ED Mnangagwa.
The fluidity of the exchange rate fluctuations on the informal market and the rampant price escalations are artificial and cannot be justified as they are not informed by economic fundamentals. It can therefore be correct to suggest that there is a hidden hand in all what is happening in our economic scenario-economic sabotage is at play.
To Zimbabweans we say; it is our responsibility together as a collective to build the nation of our choice; a nation where our dreams- wishes and aspirations will be realised. As his excellence the president presented, we should build a sustainable future for our children and our children’s children, and in order for that to be achieved, correct but painful decisions ought to be made and be made now.
Building the future of our nation, whose immediate past has been subjected to the economic adversity and instability of immense proportions, cannot be left for the government alone. Everyone should play a constructive role.
We call upon all stakeholders to the national economy, business, labour, political parties, religious institutions and Zimbabweans in general to pull souls, minds and bodies together, work up in the sleeves towards a common purpose, to stabilize and grow our economy towards achieving the middle income status by 2030.
On the foregoing;
1. the revolutionary ZANU PF party calls upon the government to consider revoking SI 064/2016 in light of the current economic climate as we heard towards the festive season.
2. ZANU PF directs the government to immediately enforce the law to eliminate all forms of informal money market activities.
3. ZANU PF calls upon business that is to say; the productive, financial, wholesale, retail and service sectors to strictly adhere to the principles of good corporate governance and ensure that goods and services are delivered to the people without artificial constraints.
4. ZANU PF calls upon all fuel suppliers not to withhold the supply of the precious product and ensure that all necessary measures are taken to stop the commodity from being offloaded on the black market.
5. The party directs the government to ensure that prices of goods and service revert back to those ruling at the time prior to pronouncement of the fiscal and monetary policy measures.
6. Following the assurances by the relevant authorities on the sufficiency of fuel and other goods and essential commodities, ZANU PF calls upon the public to desist from panic buying and hoarding activities.