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underestimating the impact of the ruinous illegal economic sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe by Western countries that cost the economy US$42 billion over the past 12 years.
Speaking at a debate at the weekend pitting aspiring candidates for the July 31 polls from various political parties that was organised by the Zimbabwe Union of Journalists Masvingo chapter, Dr Chimedza said the economic embargo was worse than real war.
He blasted MDC-T for inviting the illegal sanctions, stressing that Zimbabwe had been economically and socially strangulated as a result of over 10 years under the sanctions regime.
Dr Chimedza said MDC-T invited sanctions as a way to compel Zimbabweans to propel it into power.
“Sanctions which were imposed on our country by Western nations were invited by the MDC-T so that Zimbabweans could face hardships and vote the revolutionary Zanu-PF out of power,” he said.
“It is sad that we still have some people in the MDC-T, especially some of their leaders who do not understand the full effects of sanctions on our country.
“Sanctions are at the core of Zimbabwe’s socio-economic problems as they have caused widespread damage to the economy.
“The sanctions have strangulated our economy for more than a decade and to be precise these sanctions are worse than real war because they even affect and kill newly-born babies, children and the elderly, they have had a ruinous impact on our nation and its there to tell.’’
Dr Chimedza, who is also Zimpapers board chairman, dismissed the notion that Zimbabwe’s largest newspaper group was a state-owned company, saying Zimpapers was a public listed company with over 600 shareholders.
He said those who were calling for media reforms with Zimpapers in mind were simply ignorant of the company’s ownership structure as the newspaper giant and its shareholders had the right to determine the kind of content they wished.
“The company is a public listed entity that has more than 600 shareholders, including even some from political parties such as MDC-T,” said Dr Chimedza.
Speaking during the same debate, Zanu-PF Masvingo Urban National Assembly candidate Dr Daniel Shumba said Zanu-PF made major investments in the country’s socio-economic sphere since independence.
He blamed Zimbabwe’s economic problems on sanctions which were imposed by the West in the wake of the land reform programme that sought to address historical land imbalances.
MDC-T Masvingo Urban National Assembly candidate Mr Tongai Matutu claimed that the economic problems affecting the country were caused by Zanu-PF, while his Masvingo West counterpart Mr Takanai Mureyi alleged that Zimbabweans were not free.
Online Reporter