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Mnangagwa Attacks Chamisa on Foreign Interests in Reviving Zimbabwe Economy


FILE: Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa addressing thousands of members of the country’s ruling ZANU-PF party in Epworth about 40 minutes south east of Harare on February 12, 2022. (Columbus Mavhunga/VOA)
FILE: Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa addressing thousands of members of the country’s ruling ZANU-PF party in Epworth about 40 minutes south east of Harare on February 12, 2022. (Columbus Mavhunga/VOA)

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has castigated Nelson Chamisa, opposition leader of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), for saying if elected next year he will attract foreign investors in five days to resuscitate the country's ailing economy.

Speaking at a National Youth Day event in Harare on Monday, Mnangagwa said Chamisa should know that the Zimbabwe economy can only he revived by locals.

Mnangagwa, who claimed that he listened to Chamisa's remarks when he was addressing thousands of people at Zimbabwe Grounds in Harare on Sunday, said citizens of any nation are in charge of their economies.

“I was troubled yesterday when Chamisa said if he becomes president whites will come in numbers in five days. It is a shame, a shame because a nation can only be built by its citizens not foreigners. Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo. Zimbabwe can be built by Zimbabweans, Zambia can be built by Zambians and Mozambique by Mozambicans and Botswana the same.

“Britain can also only be built by the British, America by Americans, China by the Chinese Chamisa wants Zimbabwe to be built by white people. He should be ashamed of himself. The independence that we have was brought about by the sacrifices of our brothers and sisters who fought to remove the whites who are now being invited back by Chamisa. That is really shameful.”

On Chamisa's remarks that CCC will defend the vote, Mnangagwa said state security agents are ready for him and his followers.

He said, “Tell him that the police and other state security agents are waiting for him.”

Chamisa told VOA Zimbabwe Service that Mnangagwa misquoted him.

“I wish to thank Mr. Mnangagwa for being my ardent follower, it’s interesting that a leader like him is following. However, he did not quite grasp my argument. I did not say we must surrender the country to foreigners, but I said we must attract foreign investors to come and work with us."

Mnangagwa won a disputed election in 2018 which Chamisa still claims that was rigged by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission. The Commission has dismissed his claims as false.

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