Zim dollar to stay: ED

Taurai Mangudhla/ Chengetai Zvauya

PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa Friday explicitly declared the local currency is here to stay despite calls which are growing stronger for the country to revert back to the multicurrency regime due worsening economic conditions.

Zimbabwe adopted the multicurrency regime in 2009 after ditching the Zimbabwe dollar due to hyperinflationary pressure.

But, government reintroduced the local currency in June this year.

Officially opening the ZANU-PF annual conference at Goromonzi High School in Mashonaland East Province Friday, Mnangagwa said the Zimbabwe dollar is there to stay.

“No progressive nation can develop without its own currency,” Mnangagwa said adding that “we will not revert back to a basket of foreign currencies.”

Munangagwa said measures have been put in place to ensure adequate cash supply to Zimbabwe’s populace.

He warned those still trading in foreign currency.

“The illegal trading of foreign currency must be stopped in line with our laws. It is incumbent upon all citizens of our great country and party members in particular to protect and defend our currency as a symbol of national sovereignty and pride,” Mnangagwa said.

The president also bemoaned skyrocketing prices of goods and services.

“We remain concerned at the prevailing high prices charges by some of our retailers for basic commodities,” said Mnangagwa.

Mnagagwa also said corruption was rife in the party and warned action will be taken against perpetrators.

On medical doctors who have been on strike for over three months , Mnagagwa accused  they  of working with external forces outside the country to paralyses the health sector in the country.

“We have asked Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube to award the doctors their money three times 30 percent, 60 percent and 100 percent and they have refused to accept the money wanting to stay away from work. We have now realised that some of the leaders of the doctors were meeting some people in the night and influencing them not to return to work. Not all the doctors are supporting the strike and are now returning to work,” Mnangagwa said.

His sentiments were echoed by ZANU-PF chairperson Oppah Muchinguri and Vice President Constantino Chiwengwa, who also spoke at the conference.

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