‘Let’s focus on empowerment’

policies now that there is total independence, Zanu-PF national chairman Cde Simon Khaya Moyo has said.
Cde Khaya Moyo said this in interview yesterday ahead of Heroes Day and the Zimbabwe Defence Forces Day celebrations to be held next week.
He said the celebrations were an opportunity for Government to take stock of its achievements since independence.

“We are a week away from commemorating Heroes Day and celebrating the Defence Forces Day. Heroes Day is a day for stock taking for remembering all the gallant fallen and living heroes for the immense role they played in the protracted war of liberation, which culminated in our freedom and independence.
“Heroes Day is also a day for introspection and rededication for the comrades’ sweat and their pain could never have been in vain.

“The land has reverted to the people – the black majority – and the clarion call now is total control of the country’s resources through indigenisation and economic empowerment. They are our God given resources and must benefit all citizens,” he said.

Cde Khaya Moyo said the road to independence and freedom was illustrious and claims by some political pundits that the struggle began in 1999 were misguided and a betrayal to the liberation heroes.
Said Cde Khaya Moyo: “The voices from some political wilderness that the struggle started in 1999 is not only compound mischief, but an affirmation that some were never near the liberation theatre. It was not easy.”

On Defence Forces Day, Cde Khaya Moyo said all patriotic Zimbabweans should respect the uniformed forces for the invaluable job they did to liberate the country from the colonial yoke and the role they played in defending the country.
“These are the men and women who amongst others liberated Zimbabwe from colonialism and settlerism. They are indeed architects of peace and stability that continues to prevail across our land.

“They are tested and experienced patriots. They deserve not only respect but plural admiration by the entire nation,” he said.
His remarks come barely three days after Commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces General Constantine Chiwenga said the uniformed forces deserved respect from the public for defending the country from external aggression.

Turning to the on-going debate about marginalisation of the Matabeleland region, Cde Khaya Moyo said the reports were not true. He said the Zanu-PF leadership in the region was doing its best to bolster development in the region.

“The Zanu-PF leadership in that region has always taken a leading role in spearheading development, starting with the formation of the Matabeleland Action Group in the 1980s.
“As recent as June 5 2011, the same leadership at a meeting in Bulawayo revived the members’ committees that is education, health and social welfare and economic affairs among others in view of the biting illegal sanctions imposed by the West as a response to the land reform programme.

“The committees were not formed to look at the revival of collapsing industries in Bulawayo per se. They are focusing on addressing developmental issues across the region and complement Government efforts,” said Cde Khaya Moyo.

He said Zanu-PF was not competing with anyone in the development of Matabeleland region and anyone was free to undertake development in the region.