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Demos slammed

18 Jan, 2019 - 00:01 0 Views
Demos slammed Sifelani Jabangwe

eBusiness Weekly

Africa Moyo
INDUSTRIALISTS have slammed the retrogressive and barbaric violence unleashed by opposition and NGO-actors from Monday to Wednesday, which is understood to have cost the country about $300 million worth of business.

The demonstrations turned violent across the country resulting in the looting of shops and destruction of public and private property, loss of human life and injuries.

Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI) president Sifelani Jabangwe said it was barbaric to vandalise property in the name of demanding jobs from Government and wanting prices of basic goods and transport to fall.

“Solutions to the economic challenges will not be easy and we believe that the general conduct of demonstrators may cost the nation in a big way,” said Jabangwe.

“You see, the investors we want will not come because they will say ‘Zimbabwe is not a safe investor destination’. The economic challenges will not be solved by burning down property.

“It is easy to blame Government for the economic challenges, but we are also to blame as citizens due to our actions.”

Jabangwe said CZI members lost substantial business as some companies whose workers had gone to work on Monday, could not deliver products to the market because roads were blocked by young ruffians.

“The strike has significantly affected our members in terms of production and sales. We are also concerned about the loss of life that we hear, which is unfortunate.

“We think in as much as it is their right to protest as indicated in the national constitution, the protestors should also not infringe on other people’s rights because right now, we have case of destruction of property and what is worse is that insurance companies don’t cover damages arising from riots,” said Jabangwe.

He said while one of the demonstrators’ grievances was an improvement in the economy, they need to be reminded that it would not happen overnight, and the violence of the last three days can only worsen the situation.

Jabangwe’s perspectives come as the country is looking to attract both local and foreign investors.

But by their nature, investors shun destinations that are politically, socially and economically unstable, as they seek to conserve their hard-earned cash.

The tourism sector is understood to have also been hugely impacted on by the violent demonstrations, which some opposition and NGO elements have been planning for a long time with some Western nationals.

Hoteliers reported massive cancellations as tourists feared they would be caught in the crossfire.

Some countries such as the United States, issued travel warnings to their citizens, and consequently resulted in withdrawals by tourists.

Impressive tourist numbers are usually central to the good performance of the sector by year end.

Violence costs millions

Asked how much the economy and industrialists lost during the strike, Jabangwe said; “The only way we can measure the loss is through GPD.

“We record about $100 million per day and given that some companies operated on skeletal staff in the last three days, the economy lost between $70 million and $100 million per day.”

Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) chief executive Takunda Mugaga, said violence was costly.

“Such violence is costing companies through vandalism, pilferage, lost hours in productivity, skills flight as some professionals cannot cope with such situations,” said Mugaga.

“As private sector, we continue to engage Government. Such strikes are causing retail sector to lose on average $5 million in sales, daily,” he said adding violence was no way of resolving issues but engagement and social contract to be signed by all parties.

Retail shops and businesses in central Harare were closed for three days.

National Business Council of Zimbabwe (NBCZ) president Langton Mabhanga said calling for protests to resolve economic challenges was misplaced. He added that it was not the responsibility of Government alone to rebuild the economy.

“What we are doing now is not going to help the economy. The more Zimbabweans do these things (violent protests) the more we miss,” said Mabhanga.

“This will only knock down production, which is not good for the economy. After all, this is not the way to make Government accountable, they are not the only ones responsible for building the economy. Government’s role is to create policy that enables businesses growth, to facilitate and support the economic environment,” he said.

Jabangwe called for “dialogue at the TNF (Tripartite Negotiating Forum) level and drive the economic development agenda”.

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