MDC Vice-President and Zimbabwe’s deputy Prime Minister, Hon. Thokozani Khupe has expressed disappointment at the low production in most companies in the country despite the industries having state of the art machinery. Hon. Khupe said this during a tour of several industries in Bulawayo this week.
She said the low production levels were seriously affecting the economy, causing a high level of unemployment and affecting consumer satisfaction.

“Our companies need capital injection in order to operate at full capacity.  With the infrastructure and manpower skills that our firms have, surely we have the capability to retain our status quo of being the bread basket of Africa. “Our aim in the inclusive government is to make sure that industries are restored to their vibrant and busy nature, to create jobs and as an end result empower the people through affordable local services and products as well as employment avenues,” said Hon. Khupe

Hon Khupe was accompanied by Hon. Jessie Majome, the deputy Gender and Women’s Affairs minister, Hon. Murisi Zwizwai, the deputy Information and Publicity minister, deputy Local Government, Rural and Urban Development minister, Hon. Sesel Zvidzai and the Bulawayo Mayor, Thaba Moyo. They toured National Blankets, Dunlop Tyres, Hum pipes, United Refineries and G&D Shoes.

Meanwhile, the MDC national Women’s Assembly secretary, Hon. Evelyn Masaiti has said the greatest weapon to a new and real Zimbabwe is for the people to participate in the Constitution-making outreach programme. Hon. Masaiti who is also the MP for Dzivaresekwa said this at an MDC rally that was attended by over 2 000 people at Masuku, Gokwe – Sengwa in Midlands North province on Sunday.

"Zanu PF is forcing the people not to attend the outreach programme because it knows that the people are against the Kariba draft.  However, as the MDC we are saying let the people drive this process as the people of Zimbabwe not for political parties to be at the forefront. The new Constitution we are drafting will be a supreme law for generations to come,” she said.

The rally was also attended by Chief Masuku and Chief Sai from the area. At the rally, the MDC Midlands provincial leadership, led by Chairperson Cephas Zimuti donated 25 blankets to the elderly people present. In Mutasa, Manicaland province, Chief Mutasa has ordered his aides to compile a list of all people who participated in the Constitution-making process in the area.

In Mwenezi East, Masvingo province, one Colonel J Hungwe of Ngundu Halt, Major Neshuro and Justice Sithole, the Zanu PF chairperson of Mwenezi District Coordinating Committee, last week Friday forced villagers of Chingamhi Ward 5 and threatened them with death if they did not support the discredited Kariba draft in the Constitution-making process. Hungwe was armed with an AK47 rifle when he addressed the meeting.