Zhanda, who is the chairman of Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Budget, Finance and Investment Promotion, made the comments in the House of Assembly recently as he showered praise on Finance Minister Tendai Biti for presenting a mid-year budget that focussed on stimulating productive sectors of the economy.
"A sustainable socio-economic-political environment is a pre-requisite for economic growth. Of major concern is the discord coming out from the Executive. Let me emphasize that all these signals have eroded investor confidence. The world out there is not clear on what we, as a government, want. There's need for a consistent message to our global partners. As long as we continue with the discord, we are worsening our risk profile and our prospects for economic recovery in the short and medium term," Zhanda said.
His position is at variance with the position taken by his party, which has vowed to oppose Biti's Mid-Year Fiscal Policy Review and the proposals he outlined. The MDC-T endorsed the plan saying it would improve the lives of the ordinary people, create employment and promote economic growth.
Presidential spokesman, George Charamba, claimed the MTP was a creation of the International Monetary Fund, which his boss and his party would not endorse.
Zanu (PF) is opposing Biti's plans – outlined in the budget – to weed out ghost workers in the civil service, carry out a farm audit to identify multiple farm owners and end corruption in state firms.
Controversial measures proposed by Biti and opposed by Zanu (PF) on agriculture include "finalisation of the fast-track land reform programme and land audit, resolving issues of compensation as defined in the Global Political Agreement and restoration of a land market".
Zanu (PF) has also been irked by Biti's threats to expose corruption in state enterprises, which are the feeding trough for party hacks, especially through 'jobs for the boys' and crooked tender awards.
Post published in: News