President Mnangagwa says he understands the hardships that citizens are facing as a result of austerity measures, which have been compounded by natural disasters.

He said although the Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP) — Government’s blueprint for the economy — occassioned difficulties, it lays a base for sustained economic turnaround to occur.

He said this in a letter he wrote on Wednesday in response to the Zimbabwe Council of Churches and the Zimbabwe Heads of Christian Denominations’ pastoral letter.
He also chastened greedy businesses that profiteered at the expense of consumers.

The President decried the continued imposition of sanctions on the country, but was positive that they would not deter Zimbabwe from charting its way forward.

“I fully agree and acknowledge difficulties which our people are facing as we seek to re-gear our economy after years of weak performance and even negative growth,” said President Mnangagwa.

He said that Government was putting necessary reforms to turn around the economy and better the future of all Zimbabweans.

“We must continue on the path of reforms in spite of temporary hardships for a better tomorrow. Indeed signs of recovery and positive growth are now ample, with clear indications that more jobs are now being created than ever before.

“The efforts are beginning to pay off as our country becomes more and more compliant with international benchmarks, while winning more and more international goodwill and support,” he said.State media