programme, Zanu-PF secretary for indigenisation Cde Saviour Kasukuwere has said.
Addressing a war veterans’ meeting in Harare yesterday, Cde Kasukuwere said political independence was meaningless without indigenisation of the economy. He said war veterans should also have a stake in controlling Zimbabwe’s resources.
Said Cde Kasukuwere: “You are the ones who went and fought and we appreciate that the land question has been addressed but it is high time we take total control of our resources. If we talk of independence, it must not be political only as there must also be total economic empowerment of blacks. War veterans are the ones who toiled day and night to bring independence to this country and in return, you must also actively take part in the current indigenisation programme.”
Cde Kasukuwere, who was accompanied by Zanu-PF Harare provincial chairman, Cde Amos Midzi, challenged the war veterans to be innovative and develop a spirit of self-reliance in the face of the illegal sanctions imposed on the country by the West.
He said Government would not go back on the indigenization of Zimbabwe’s resources whether or not the ruinous sanctions were removed.
“President Mugabe has given us the nod so there is no going back on the issue until a time when all sectors are self-reliant. Support the President’s vision by developing a culture of self reliance for the development of the nation,” he said.
Cde Kasukuwere, who is also Youth, Indigenisation and Empowerment Minister, issued a stern warning against Zimbabweans being used to block black empowerment.
“Some of us are being used as fronts by foreign investors whose primary objective is to exploit the country’s minerals. But to these pawns who are clandestinely being used, if you are caught on the wrong side of the law we will not hesitate to punish you as you are tantamount to a sell-out,” he said.
Minister Kasukuwere said the Government empowerment programme would never hurt the economy but was only aimed at making sure that the majority of Zimbabweans were in the driving seat of exploiting their natural resources.
He said foreign investors were welcome but major beneficiaries should be Zimbabweans.
“There are some misconceptions out there that our economy will die if we embark on the programme. These are just words of those who want to draw us back.
“Investors should feel free to come but bearing in mind that it’s our territory where we must benefit a lot,” he said.
War Veterans national secretary for indigenisation Cde Josphat Chinake, urged his fellow comrades to be wary of neo-colonialists.
“Let’s complete our revolution by taking up stakes in companies because we are our own liberators. We should never allow foreigners to dominate us again because we are now an independent state,” he said.

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