(HERALD) ‘Western hand in MDC-T’s jobs document’
‘Western hand in MDC-T’s jobs document’Saturday, 12 November 2011 20:49
Kuda Bwititi
Political Reporter
Confusion is reigning supreme in the MDC-T over the already discredited Jobs, Investment and Upliftment Programme (JIUP) amid revelations that the initiative, tailored to stifle the country’s indigenisation and empowerment drive, did not originate from the party.
This emerged as MDC leader Professor Welshman Ncube labelled the programme a “political manifesto that Zimbabweans should not take seriously”.
Investigations last week revealed that MDC-T technocrats responsible for policy formulation were ignorant about the origins of the proposed programme, which is likely to be launched this week.
Insiders suspect Western functionaries hastily developed and introduced the enabling document to the party leadership after the indigenisation and empowerment drive gained momentum with the inception of community share trusts.
The initiative was due to be launched about two weeks ago. However, its introduction continues to stall with senior party officials indicating they were not consulted.
MDC-T policy co-ordinator-general Mr Eddie Cross told The Sunday Mail he was unaware of the intricate details of the programme.
He referred all inquiries to the secretary-general, Mr Tendai Biti, and his deputy, Mr Tapiwa Mashakada.
“I do not have much information on JIUP. Perhaps the best people to talk to are Biti and Mashakada. They might know the major aspects of the document,” he said.
The party’s House of Assembly Chief Whip, Mr Innocent Gonese, was also in the dark, so was Marondera Central legislator Mr Ian Kay.
“I am not aware of anything to that effect. It is not under my ambit,” said Mr Gonese.
An insider, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said JIUP was a “political project” hastily organised to counter indigenisation and empowerment.
The insider said it had become increasingly important for the MDC-T to be seen to be people-oriented in the face of impending national elections.
“Many of us are not in the know about the exact details of the programme because we were not consulted.
“However, information we have gathered is that the party had to do something to counter the Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Act.
“Zanu-PF is preaching indigenisation. So, we cannot just afford to sit and watch; we need to offer our own side of the coin. We have been in the inclusive Government for two years now.
“Ask yourself: How come we never raised points around creating jobs within the context of Government?”
Mr Mashakada said the programme would be launched this week in terms of an overarching thrust aimed at repealing sections of the Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Act.
He said a major variation would see the indigenisation threshold being reduced from 51 to 30 percent. He added that his party intends to engineer the changes through Parliament.
“Our aim is for the indigenisation drive to be hinged on a shareholding of 30 percent for indigenous people. The 30 percent should be distributed among employees, management, and to the sovereign wealth fund,” he said.
“JIUP is being handled by our department of research and policy implementation. The blueprint will come through Parliament. We want to fine-tune the current indigenisation drive.”
MDC leader Prof Ncube said the programme was designed to garner political mileage and should be ignored.
“I think it is a political manifesto that people should not take seriously. We are heading for an election and this is a clear attempt to woo voters.”
Last month, the MDC-T announced plans to introduce JIUP and that it expected the inclusive Government to implement it.
The party also moved a motion in the House of Assembly calling for repeal of provisions of the Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Act.
Youth Development, Indigenisation and Empowerment Minister Saviour Kasukuwere said it was curious such moves were being made at a time Government was rolling out community share trusts.
Labels: EDDIE CROSS, INDIGENIZATION AND EMPOWERMENT ACT (ZIMBABWE), MDC, SAVIOUR KASUKUWERE, WELSHMAN NCUBE
posted by MrK @ 6:39 PM
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