President Robert Mugabe on Tuesday declared that Zimbabwe was undergoing an economic ”revival” as he addressed the opening of the last session of Parliament before key elections next year.
Mugabe arrived at the Parliament building in a chauffeur-driven Rolls Royce under heavy police and army escort, and accompanied by his smartly dressed wife Grace.
”We have money to reap a good harvest … to ensure we meet our needs and food requirements. What enhances this … is the evident revival of our economy,” Mugabe told Parliament.
His statement stood in stark contrast to assessments by non-governmental organisations and UN food agencies who say millions of citizens, especially in rural areas, need urgent food aid.
The southern African country has been hit by consecutive drought seasons but the situation has been exacerbated by Mugabe’s controversial land reform programme that saw most white farmers forcibly evicted from their land.
Mugabe however said the land programme would continue.
”A number of issues related to land reform remain outstanding,” he said.
”The demand for land remains and ongoing land acquisition should be able to meet it.
”Government policy remains … Whatever irregularities have occurred in the process of land reform are now being attended to,” Mugabe said.
At a state dinner on Monday night, Mugabe called on Parliament to be ”patriotic” and guard against outside interference, the state-owned Herald newspaper reported on Tuesday.
”Never shall we allow foreigners to interfere in our domestic affairs and the charter of the United Nations prohibits interference in the affairs of another country.
”Parliament should be inspired by the patriotism that bids us to stand up and say we will not accept this interference,” Mugabe said. – Sapa-AFP