Indigenisation campaign backfires

The party is pushing for the ceding of 51 percent ownership of the economic sector to so-called indigenous citizens.
Over the weekend President Robert Mugabe sent a three member delegation to launch the programme in Gweru where provincial and district structures from Mberengwa to Gokwe in the Midlands province gathered.
Perceived as a Zanu (PF) stronghold after success at the 2008 polls, the high-powered delegation visited the Midlands to sell the policy.
The party comprised State Minister in the office of Vice-President, Sylvester Nguni, Minister of Local Government Ignatius Chombo and National Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Board chairman David Chapfika. During the heated meeting, chaired by Midlands party administration secretary Francis Chikwira, district and ward leaders asked questions about how the plan can be executed given its coffers are dry.
One delegate said the party would not succeed in handing over institutions like banks and manufacturing firms over to supporters as it did in earlier land reforms. Others said credit for the reform, should it succeed is likely to be shared with MDC given that the shares will be transferred at government centres, not party offices.
Nguni said the party would look for strategic partners to help those who acquire shares through the process. But the secretary general of the war veterans, Shadreck Makombe, suggested the party forcibly takeover the companies and make amends afterwards.
MDC has attacked the Zanu (PF) policy arguing that it would deter investors needed to restore the countrys ailing economy.
MDC-N leader and Minister of Industry and Commerce, Professor Welshman, vowed to oppose a disorderly grab of companies for political gains.