President Emmerson Mnangagwa State of the Nation Address- 22 October 2020

Mr Speaker Sir, Madam President;

The Second Republic continues to consolidate its engagement and re-engagement policy.  Economic cooperation and trade within our region is being consolidated towards awakening the collective potential of our respective countries, region and continent as a whole.

The illegal economic sanctions imposed are an albatross to our socio-economic development and growth, and must be removed unconditionally.  We remain grateful to SADC, the African Union Member states and many others who continue to echo this call with us.

Our Defence and Security Forces who are defending the territorial integrity, sovereignty and national interest as well as maintain law, peace and order in our great country are commended for their sterling work.  I want to reiterate that my Government will not tolerate any form of criminality in our country.  Those who dare to engage in unlawful activities will face the full wrath of the law.

It is pleasing that the long awaited and all-encompassing Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Act has now been promulgated.  This will entail more holistic attention to issues affecting all categories of our Veterans who now include Ex-combatants, Ex-Political Prisoners, Detainess and Restrictees, Non-combatant Cadres and War Collaborators.

Mr Speaker Sir, Madame President;

The Second Session of the Ninth Parliament of Zimbabwe had 25 Bills on its Legislative Agenda and an additional 15 other Bills which were not on the initial agenda.  As at 22 September, 2020, a total of 16 of these Bills were passed by Parliament.

I therefore call upon the Third Session of the Ninth Parliament to expedite the completion of processes with regards to all outstanding Bills, the enactment of which, will help to deepen the ongoing economic reforms as well as entrench constitutionalism and our democratic culture.

Continued next page

(1527 VIEWS)