Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Barbara Rwodzi has denied reports that First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa is cashing in on the national fabric, which is being sold for US$4.00 per metre.
On Wednesday, 19 June, NewsDay reported that the national fabric, now almost compulsory for civil servants and ZANU PF supporters, was being sold at the First Lady’s offices despite the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) being the principal retailer of the fabric.
In a statement issued today, Rwodzi confirmed that the fabric is being sold at a “nominal fee” of US$4.00 per metre, saying the price came down from US$12.00.
She also said claims that Mnangagwa was pocketing the proceeds “are not only unfortunate but appear calculated to soil the good image of our hard-working mother of the nation who is our patron.” Said Rwodzi:
The Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry wishes to remind all concerned that it is the sole custodian of the Zimbabwe National Fabric and is responsible for distributing the fabric through its Zimbabwe Tourism Authority Provincial offices at a gazetted nominal fee of USD 4 per metre.
The Ministry works with a few selected outlets which distribute the fabric at the gazetted price.
The National Fabric was previously sold between USD9 and USD12 before the ministry intervened to get the price gazetted downwards to USD4.
The Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry encourages the nation to continue taking pride in our identity, our culture and our Heritage through our National Fabric.
We take exception to false and malicious claims by some media outlets that the First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa is cashing in on the national fabric.
Such claims are not only unfortunate but appear calculated to soil the good image of our hard-working mother of the nation who is our patron.
The Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry is forever grateful to Dr Mnangagwa for initiating the launch of the national fabric which promotes our Zimbabwean identity.
Posting on X, Mrehwa, a concerned citizen, said the government should release the fabric onto the market and allow retailers to sell it to the public. Said Mrehwa:
Why Gazette the price of the fabric and give sole mandate to the ministry? These are the actions that ferment speculation. Why not release it to the market and let those in business sell it like any other goods? If l can buy a flag anywhere why not this fabric? Food for thought.
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