Maravi

The Affirmative Action Group, the vanguard of broad based black economic empowerment is perturbed by press statement released by the Prime Minister’s spokesperson, Mr James Maridadi on Tuesday, 13 April 2010 and was beamed across the globe.

Maridadi lied that the Cabinet of the Government of Republic of Zimbabwe had suspended Statutory 21 of 2010 which regulates and guides the implementation of the Indigenization and Economic Empowerment Act.

His Excellency the President Robert Mugabe has since said that the regulations are still operational and in effect. The Maridadi press statement confused foreign investors.

The Affirmative Action Group strongly opposes any attempts to suspend the regulations with the view to discuss any amendments. Any possible changes, should they be any, must be discussed and crafted whilst the law is operational.

Government must be wary of enemies of indigenization and empowerment who seek suspension of the Indigenization laws. The intention of these retrogressive forces is to completely eliminate the indigenization agenda.

We have noticed that more than 200 seminars and public meetings across the country have been held that criticized the indigenization law, but there has been no counter-proposal submitted that can deliver empowerment to the indigenous Zimbabweans.

The Indigenization Bill was passed in 2007 and assented to by the President in 2008. Three years later, after its parliamentary approval, we now see its implementation.

Given the long wait already endured, the citizenry cannot wait any longer whilst we start to argue over a law that correct a historical imbalance.

AAG is dismayed, though not surprised, that a junior press officer comments on the proceedings of Cabinet to which he is not part of.

Protocol dictates that any Cabinet policy announcements are made by the Chief Secretary to the Cabinet and President or the line ministers.

We are keen to know why Maridadi was assigned to issue that statement, instead of the ministers concerned.

The appointment of a radio disc jockey with little relevant experience and no professional qualifications to be the prime minister’s spokesperson, denigrates that office.

We urge the Public Service Commission to review his appointment.

Tafadzwa Musarara
Secretary General