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Ivan Zhakata Herald Correspondent

President Mnangagwa’s victory in last week’s harmonised elections provides a platform for the continuation of infrastructure and economic developments that he started in 2018, the business community has said.

Industrialists believe the next five years under President Mnangagwa will usher unprecedented economic growth.

The President retained the national presidency after getting 52,6 percent of the total votes cast, while CCC leader Mr Nelson Chamisa got 44 percent of the total 4 468 730 votes.

Smaller parties and independents got 3,4 percent of the vote.

Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers (CZR) president Dr Denford Mutashu said President Mnangagwa’s victory showed that the people, including retailers, have confidence in the President’s leadership.

“The Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers wishes to congratulate His Excellency President Dr ED Mnangagwa and the ruling party, Zanu PF, for clinching a resounding win in the just-ended harmonised general elections (held) on August 23 and 24, 2023,” he said.

“The President’s win is a firm foundation for the continuation of robust infrastructure development and economic growth. The victory symbolises the trust that the people of Zimbabwe have in President ED Mnangagwa’s astute leadership.

“This is an utmost win against neo-colonialism and imperialism. The business community endorses the outcome and promises to continue working with you in the coming exciting five years. Zimbabwe has won.”

Industrialists also congratulated President Mnangagwa, adding that they expected massive industrial growth across the country.

Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries president, Mr Kurai Matsheza, said they were hoping to achieve all their set goals in the next five years.

“We support Vision 2030 and the National Development Strategy and we hope there will be acceleration in the achievement of the target,” he said. “We are speeding our operations as industry so that we reach the target. We have always been on this journey together with the Government and there are issues, which we have been addressing together.

“The next five years will give a boon in the industry and we hope that things will change. We also hope that we will be able to achieve our targets.”

Consumers have also commended President Mnangagwa for winning the polls and said they hoped things will continue to change for the better.

Consumer Council of Zimbabwe executive director Mrs Rosemary Mpofu urged suppliers to comply with the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe’s regulations on pricing of goods and services for the benefit of consumers.

Mrs Mpofu also urged consumers to shop wisely and exercise their right to choose products that meet expectations.

“CCZ conveys its congratulations to His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe Emmerson Mnangagwa on his recent re-election as President of Zimbabwe, with consumers having higher expectations on access to affordable goods and services as a priority,” she said.

“Post-election period, consumers expect current Government policy measures to maintain resulting in further price stabilisation witnessed in the pre-election period, foreign exchange rates falling down, impacting on prices of goods and services, as previously some business operators were indexing prices using parallel market rates, speculative pricing and forward pricing as a hedge against inflationary pressures witnessed during the second quarter.”

Mrs Mpofu said they also expect producers and retailers to comply with relevant statutes in the pricing of goods and services.

She also wants consumers to be protected against unfair, unethical business practices that have been prevailing rampant in the market, while urging the Financial Intelligence Unit to continue market surveillance and bringing to book errant businesses that are ripping off consumers.