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Mashudu Netsianda Senior Reporter
ZANU-PF Secretary for Economic Affairs Dr Obert Mpofu yesterday urged youths to safeguard their future by voting for the revolutionary party in the 31 July harmonised elections. Addressing hundreds of Zanu-PF supporters at Khami Prison Complex under Umguza Constituency, Dr Mpofu said youths played a key role in society as they were the future leaders.
“I wish to challenge our youths to vote for Zanu-PF, which is a people oriented party that liberated the country from colonial masters. Do not allow parties whose agenda is based on reversing the gains of the liberation struggle to hoodwink you into casting your vote in their favour.
“Youths are the leaders of our country and they must not betray the legacy of nationalists such as the late Vice- President Dr Joshua Nkomo and others. Please take the country forward by rallying behind President Mugabe and Zanu-PF, which is a true revolutionary party,” he said.
Dr Mpofu vowed that Zanu-PF would retain the Umguza National Assembly seat.
“Zanu-PF will never lose Umguza Constituency and I can assure you that we are certainly guaranteed of victory and even the two MDCs know that. This is because of the great work that we are doing for our people in appreciation of their unwavering support.
“We have built a number of classroom blocks in areas such as Nyamandlovu and I am also paying school fees for many under-privileged children throughout the district. We are funding several self help projects for our youths and women and we will continue to serve our communities,” he said.
Dr Mpofu, who is also the Minister of Mines and Mining Development, scoffed at claims by Finance Minister, Mr Tendai Biti that he was refusing to release money from diamond sales.
“The Ministry of Finance, which is run by Tendai Biti, is accusing me of refusing with the money from diamonds sales yet it is them who called for sanctions, which are affecting the sales of the gems on the international market.
“Biti’s ministry is the one that is solely responsible for releasing money from the Treasury not my ministry. He is simply trying to cover up for his failures using my name as an excuse,” he said.
Dr Mpofu once again called on leaders to respect people as well as understand their needs and aspirations.
“It is important for us as leaders to understand what people want and listen to their problems. We have some leaders who on once voted into leadership positions tend to forget the very same people who would have given them that mandate,” he said.
Dr Mpofu also lamented the closure of companies in Bulawayo.
“When I was still Minister of Industry and International Trade during the hyper-inflationary period there were no company closures in Bulawayo but today we are witnessing firms shutting down under an MDC minister. This is a clear sign that such people are not capable of running our country’s economy. On 31 July let us give Zanu-PF another chance to form a new Government that would address those challenges.”
Dr Mpofu is on a campaign trail in Matabeleland North where he has so far covered Binga, Hwange West and East constituencies to drum up support for the party ahead of the elections.
Today, he will address party supporters in Bubi district before rolling the campaign programme to other constituencies that include Nkayi and Tsholotsho.
Online Reporter