Zimbabwean president Mnangagwa outlines achievements in first 100 days in office

HARARE, Feb. 26 — Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who is
just a few days shy of marking his first 100 days in office, over the
weekend outlined some of his new administration’s achievements and promised
more reforms to improve the economy.

Mnangagwa, who took over from former president Robert Mugabe on Nov. 24,
following military intervention, said in an audio message posted on social
media that the task ahead needed concerted effort from everyone. It would
take time before the fruits of reforms could be harvested, he said.
Mnangagwa said the government passed a bold and responsible budget that
cuts unnecessary expenditure, including luxuries previously enjoyed by
high-ranking public officials. The new administration has scaled down the
indigenization law to make it only applicable to investments in diamond and
platinum mining, as it seeks to attract more foreign direct investment, he
said.

Prior to his taking over from Mugabe, the law required indigenous
Zimbabweans to have majority ownership across most sectors of the economy;
a situation foreign investors frowned upon. “On corruption, the phrase
zero tolerance approach has been backed up by action,” he said. “We
instituted a three-month amnesty to get back stolen funds, mandated all
cabinet ministers to declare assets, created dedicated anti-corruption
courts in all provinces and clamped down on police roadblocks.”
“Internationally, we have been working hard to build our international
relations and bring in investment and so far we have secured 3 billion U.S.
dollars worth of investment commitments from some of the biggest companies
in the world.”

Mnangagwa added that the government had directed all public health
institutions to scrap treatment fees for vulnerable groups, including
children under the age of five, pregnant women and senior citizens above 65
years. He said the government had also facilitated greater use of mobile
money to combat the cash crisis and cut excise duty on petrol, which
resulted in the reduction of fuel prices. “We must of course be realistic
and recognize that it takes more than 100 days to recover an economy,” he
said. “Real change takes time.” “I know there are those among you who are
frustrated at the pace of change and I understand that, but let me assure
you that though we have had some major achievements, this is just the
beginning. “After 100 days of action we are on the right path and will
keep working to increase that pace of reform,” Mnangagwa said. Zimbabwe is
due to hold presidential and general elections later this year, but no
specific date has been set. – XINHUA