MNANGAGWA SWORN IN AS PRESIDENT

Harare - Emmerson Mnangagwa, whose removal as vice president by Robert Mugabe led to the veteran leader’s ouster, was yesterday sworn in as Zimbabwe’s new president.

“I Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa swear that as the president of the republic of Zimbabwe I will be faithful to Zimbabwe and obey, uphold and defend the constitution and all other laws of Zimbabwe,” he said as he took the oath of office before the chief justice, watched by a jubilant crowd of tens of thousands of people.

Mnangagwa vowed during his inauguration speech that he will work to improve the economy to reduce unemployment and return the country to prosperity.

“Our economic policy will be directed for job, job, job creation,” said Mnangagwa to cheers from the crowd of 60 000. Zimbabwe is currently plagued with an unemployment rate estimated to be 80 per cent.

“We must work together. You, me, all of us who make up this nation,” he said. He urged the millions of Zimbabweans who have left the country to return to help rebuild the economy.
“I must hit the ground running,” said Mnangagwa, emphasising that Zimbabwe’s economic problems must be addressed immediately.
Land
Zimbabwe’s land redistribution which saw land seized from white farmers and given to black Zimbabweans will not be reversed, he said.
“The rest of the world must understand that our land reform policies were inevitable. The principle of nationalisation of our land cannot be challenged or reversed,” he said.

However, Mnangagwa said his incoming government will be “committed to compensating farmers from whom land was taken”. He said a land commission would be formed to make sure that properties are farmed productively.

“All foreign investment will be safe in Zimbabwe,” said Mnangagwa, addressing fears following moves by former leader Robert Mugabe to nationalise the country’s lucrative resources such as diamonds, platinum, gold and chrome.
Mnangagwa also said he will tackle corruption that has grown in Zimbabwe.

He said elections will be held next year and said he will work to change Zimbabwe’s political climate which he characterised as “poisonous, rancorous and polarised.”

Post your comment

Your name:

Your e-mail address:

Add your comments:

Please enter the code you see in the image:

Image:

Code: