Pelandaba-Mpopoma legislator and Zanu PF Central Committee member, Joseph Tshuma, who reportedly ruffled feathers in his recent maiden speech in parliament when he challenged the ruling party to work harder to revamp the economy, says the most effective approach to economic development is for all political parties and stakeholders to bury their differences and work together.
Tshuma also called on the government to declare Bulawayo a “Special Economic Zone” to attract more investment into the city, amid massive company closures and job losses.
He also said students from Matabeleland should be given priority for enrolment in their local colleges.
Tshuma, however, disputed reports that he said people will stage an uprising if the economy continues on the decline, noting that there is no need to destroy property to express one's opinions.
This comes at a time when Economic Planning Minister, Simon Khaya-Moyo, told a business meeting last Friday that the government’s economic blue print; the Zimbabwe Agenda for Social and Economic Transformation (Zimasset) has failed to achieve all its targeted goals since its inception in 2013.
Tshuma said the economy is in a “mess” and people are struggling to survive country-wide, but emphasized that the ruling party is not to blame.
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Interview with Joseph Tshuma