Kasukuwere gets Zanu PF’s blessing

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ZANU PF has backed under-fire Youth Development, Indigenisation and Empowerment minister, Saviour Kasukuwere, insisting that he should continue with his indigenisation drive as it is a national policy.

ZANU PF has backed under-fire Youth Development, Indigenisation and Empowerment minister, Saviour Kasukuwere, insisting that he should continue with his indigenisation drive as it is a national policy.

BY NQABA MATSHAZI

Kasukuwere has recently come under fire in the media, with questions being asked about his role and that of the National Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Board (NIEEB), where are allegations of some corrupt dealings.

The lowest point came last week, when the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) sought a search warrant against the board.

A Zanu PF insider said the matter was discussed at the party’s politburo meeting last Thursday, with Kasukuwere receiving the thumbs up to continue with the drive.

“There was a lot of misunderstanding over the matter, but it was discussed and the politburo was appraised with what happened,” the source said.

Kasukuwere is reported to have convinced the politburo that everything was above board and his hands were clean.

Following the Zimplats community ownership scheme, there had been accusations of impropriety and that NIEEB had issued out a consultancy contract without going to tender.

Kasukuwere declined to comment, referring all questions to party spokesman, Rugare Gumbo.

However, on Wednesday a buoyant Kasukuwere took to social media, triumphantly declaring that he had attended an “interesting politburo” meeting.

“Very interesting politburo meeting,” he said on his twitter account.

“Amazing team of leaders, always thinking how to move our nation forward.”

Without directly referring to anyone, Kasukuwere also said forces of evil would not succeed: “Empowerment will continue and those disregarding the law — follow the law”.

Zanu PF secretary for administration, Didymus Mutasa confirmed that indigenisation had been discussed and Kasukuwere had received the green light.

“We said that he [Kasukuwere] should go ahead with indigenisation, as this was a national policy,” he said.

“We did not discuss further details.”

Mutasa lashed out at what he termed biased media coverage, saying the indigenisation issue was not being covered objectively. “The media on both sides are biased and you can never get a clear picture. Whether it is about Kasukuwere or [central bank governor, Gideon] Gono, there’s bias,” he said.

gono accused of trying to derail indigenisation

Gono has been accused of trying to derail the indigenisation drive and last week Tsholotsho legislator, Jonathan Moyo criticised the Reserve Bank chief, accusing him of derailing the policy.

Earlier, Gono had also hit back accusing proponents of the indigenisation of being ill-advised.

“Some of those accusing me of undermining indigenisation now, were either still youngsters then or anti-Zanu PF donor-funded expatriates,” he said recently.

There has been a Cold War of some sorts between Gono and Kasukuwere, as they battle over the economy.

Zanu PF spokesman, Rugare Gumbo said indigenisation remained a national policy, adding that, “we have to indigenise”.

He said the party was not worried about media reports on the so-called “Nieebgate” scandal, saying they did not take the coverage seriously.