Zim should respect the rule of law – PM

A peaceful country without violence and without policy inconsistencies is a natural destination for investment. We will strive to ensure that our beloved country remains a firm favourite for serious investors so that we can create jobs and prosper the nation and its people, said President Tsvangirai.

On policy predictability, he said Zimbabwe should not criminalise investment. The indigenisation programme has caused so much consternation amongst investors. But there is no government policy to nationalise or to expropriate. All we want is that ordinary Zimbabweans should be empowered and not a few elite. While 51 percent is aspirational, we have agreed that there should be thresholds for each sector so that we balance between the business interests of investors and the need to empower and ensure that ordinary Zimbabweans participate in the mainstream economy, said President Tsvangirai.

Meanwhile, Bulawayo East MP, Hon. Tabitha Khumalo today handed over chairs and classroom desks worth thousands of dollars to Thomas Rudland Primary School acquired through the Constituency development fund (CDF). The MP said that the CDF was a commendable sign, which was a trying and testing tool for transparency, commitment and accountability on the part of the local community leadership.

Hon. Khumalo encouraged parents, teachers and the residents to be part of the community projects by supporting constituency developments and identifying all areas of need.

“We have managed to congregate as the Bulawayo East community in order to identify areas of need and most of all to agree on these areas. While the fund is there to boost our communities, we are challenged to be accountable and transparent in our commitment to develop every citizen in a constituency from primary level,” Hon. Khumalo said.

She said that government was faced with a bigger challenge of empowering teachers so that they earn respect in their communities. “There is need for this government to recognise and respect teachers in promoting education. Our government must prioritise the living wage of our teachers.” Thomas Rudland is one of the 15 primary schools in Bulawayo East that received an allocation of US$3000 each that was used in repairing desks and chairs, plus painting the school buildings which caters for 800 pupils.

The MDC Today – Issue 163