The Sunday News
Munyaradzi Musiiwa Midlands Correspondent
VICE-PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa has dismissed as a pipedream claims by some sections of the media and some members of the opposition that the country was on the brink of collapse following riots that erupted in Chikurubi prison and University of Zimbabwe. Addressing thousands of Zanu-PF supporters at Chirumhanzu-Zibagwe MP designate Cde Auxilia Mnangagwa’s rally in Mvuma which also coincided with the belated provincial Women’s Day celebration, VP Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe was one of the most peaceful and orderly countries in Africa.
He said the claims were a mere political gimmick orchestrated by unpatriotic Zimbabweans who were seeking personal glory and to please those sponsoring the foiled regime change agenda.
VP Mnangagwa said Zanu-PF was in total grip and would continue maintaining peace in the country.
“There are some sections of the media that claimed that the country was at the brink of collapse. Let me tell you that is a pipe dream. We are one of the most peaceful countries in the continent. We are peaceful and we will work tirelessly to maintain that peace. Hameno Vana Tsvangirai vari ku Britain,” he said.
VP Mnangagwa said Government had started acting to mitigate the looming drought amid reports that most crops in the southern part of the country were a complete write-off.
He said Government would soon start importing maize from neighbouring countries and beyond to supplement the national granary as a proactive measure.
“It has become evident that we are going to have poor harvests in the southern part of the country. We are going to import some of the maize so that we supplement what we already have,” he said.
VP Mnangagwa said the country would not mortgage its resources regardless of the fact that it could be going through a rough patch.
“Hatingozopi vanhu upfumi hwedu nekuti tinenzara kana kuti hatina chekupfeka. (We will not give away or sell our resources for a song simply because we are experiencing some challenges). We want to jealously guard our mineral wealth and other resources. These are our God given resources that should benefit the local people,” he said.
VP Mnangagwa urged members of the party to remain united and bury their differences as well as being loyal to the party.
Cde Auxilia Mnangagwa donated 800 litres of paint to local schools, repaired about 50 boreholes, maintained and reconstructed roads among other projects.
