EDWIN MOYO
SHURUGWI- Zanu PF youth who are beneficiaries of mainly gold mines in the Midlands Province have been urged to shun political violence ahead of the crunch harmonised elections set for mid-year.
The call was made at the Miners4ED meeting held in Shurugwi last week meant to equip small scale and artisanal miners.
Former Minister of State Security and Zanu PF senior official, Owen ‘Mudha’ Ncube called for young people who are enjoying the benefits of Independence in the province to shun political violence ahead of the coming election.
“We engaged in the war of liberation for us to get the mines and farms that were taken away from our ancestors by the settlers and it is your duty as youths and miners to protect these benefits by voting for President Cde E.D Mnangagwa and the revolutionary party Zanu PF.
“We don’t need violence as was said by President E.D Mnangagwa, just register to vote and beat the opposition peacefully,” said Mudha.
The association in turn pledged its total support for President Mnangagwa’s bid for re-election ahead of this year’s harmonized elections.
The Miners4ED was launched last year as an off shoot from Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) and is one of Zanu Pf official affiliates.
The organisation also seeks to empower youths through mining.
Miners4ED deputy national chairperson, Florence Mudzengi reminded miners over the privileges of possessing mines saying the development had been made possible by the ruling party Zanu PF.
“We are all enjoying the privileges of mining that were not there back then before the Government of Zanu PF assumed power in 1980.
“This must sink into your minds and you must play your part to protect these privileges that we are enjoying today through voting for President Cde E.D Mnangagwa and Zanu PF,” said Mudzengi.
Mudzengi vowed that the Miners4ED were geared to support the Government’s economic blueprint, National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) where the mining sector is envisaged to contribute US$12 billion to the economy by 2025.
“It hereby pledge that as an association and a Zanu PF affiliate we are going to reach out to all miners and encourage them to work towards increased mining production in line with the USD$12 billion road map as enunciated in NDS1,” she said.
Shurugwi North Member of Parliament, Robson Nyathi commended President Mnangagwa for empowering the youth and making positive strides under unfriendly conditions during his tenure.
“The term of office of President E.D Mnangagwa has been marked by hard times such as drought, COVID-19, cholera and floods, but look, the progress that he has made under those difficult conditions are unmatched.
“I don’t think there is any other person who can deserve the presidential seat in 2023 other than him,” said Nyathi.
