ZANU PF has criticized Eddie Cross, a prominent economist and former member of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe’s (RBZ) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), for his recent claims about Chinese nationals in Zimbabwe.
In a recent article on his website, Cross claimed that there are now more than 85,000 Chinese nationals residing in Zimbabwe.
He said the Chinese nationals are not permanent migrants but plan to return to China after exhausting the country’s mineral resources.
Cross also alleged that the Chinese are looking to transfer environmentally polluting industries to Africa, seeking to capitalize on the continent’s natural resources while avoiding environmental constraints at home.
The former MDC MP further claimed that the exploitation of Zimbabwe’s raw materials by the Chinese began after the discovery of diamonds in Marange.
He said US$30 billion in raw diamonds has been produced between 2008 and the present day, benefiting only the Chinese and old Army Generals, while the people of Marange continue to live in poverty.
In response, Farai Marapira, the Director of Information and Publicity for ZANU PF, suggested that Cross’ comments were xenophobic.
He categorically rejected the claims made by Cross and warned economic commentators against undermining the country’s economic progress by attacking investors. Said Marapira:
<blockquote>
They must be more objective in the assessment of issues. We have attacks coming from all and sometimes surprising people.
I will give an example of Eddie Cross. He wrote a full article and spent a lot of energy writing spurious lies, maliciously attacking the open door policy of the President, throwing in false figures, stating that we have 85,000 Chinese when we have only 25,000 and these are in the mining sector.
These are here at the behest of the President as he has stated that Zimbabwe is open for all.
So, these malicious attacks need to stop. These attacks are trying circumvent our natural progression which we are aspiring for as a people. They need to stop.
We cannot expect educated economists to be giving out articles which are less than bar talk or pillow talk.
</blockquote>
Marapira also rejected Cross’ claim that Zimbabwe has 9 billion tonnes of untapped Chrome deposits worth a conservative US$100 trillion. He said:
<blockquote>
Eddie Cross cannot defend the US$30 billion claim on diamonds he made… Eddie Cross cannot defend the ranking we put on our chrome deposits, he cannot do that.
So we need to stop developing thoughts of xenophobia. We need to welcome all who want to come and develop Zimbabwe with us.
</blockquote>
Chinese companies are often accused of causing environmental damage, including deforestation, pollution of water bodies, and destruction of natural habitats.
Critics argue that Chinese investors are primarily interested in extracting Zimbabwe’s natural resources, such as gold, diamonds, and lithium, without adding value locally.
There has also been numerous reports of Chinese companies violating labour rights, including poor working conditions, low wages, and even instances of sexual abuse.
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ZANU PF is mad at Eddie Cross for saying Chinese people in Zimbabwe are doing bad things. Eddie Cross said there are lots of Chinese people in Zimbabwe who want to take the country's minerals and pollute the environment. He also said they are only helping themselves, not the people of Zimbabwe. ZANU PF says Eddie Cross is spreading lies and being mean to the President. They want everyone to work together and not be mean to investors. People are worried that Chinese companies are ruining the environment and mistreating workers in Zimbabwe.

ZANU PF Warns Eddie Cross Over Claims Chinese Investors Are Exploiting Zimbabwe

ZANU PF says it has been vilified by certain opposition voices within the SADC region due to its stance against imperialist manoeuvres targeting former liberation movements.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa and ZANU PF have faced accusations from opposition parties in SADC countries, including Mozambique, South Africa, Botswana, and Namibia, alleging interference in their electoral processes to support ruling parties that are also former liberation movements.
In an interview with <a href="https://businesstimes.co.zw/we-are-too-powerful-for-sadc-western-puppets/">Business Times</a>, ZANU PF’s Director of Information and Publicity, Farai Marapira, claimed that the party’s strength stems not from manipulation, but from its commitment to the authentic values of Africa. Said Marapira:
<blockquote>
As ZANU PF, we are powerful but not in the essence of manipulation. We are powerful because we represent a very strong ideal. We are powerful because we represent the true values of Africa.
We are powerful because our message resonates across borders. And this is something that a neocolonialist ideologist cannot countenance.
You must understand that these so-called proponents of democracy came into Africa on the back of their industrialization, which was ahead of ours, and chose to put us on an even keel with dogs, stating that dogs and Africans are not allowed in here today.
These are the same people that want to turn around and tell us that only where the people they back, only when those people have won, is there democracy.
</blockquote>
Marapira claimed that imperialist forces, along with their local puppets in the SADC region, have run out of ideas to undermine the sovereignty and independence of nations that have historically resisted foreign intervention. He said:
<blockquote>
So when a party like ZANU PF stands against such a formidable force and defies it, of course, people are bound to have sleepless nights, and the Brenthurst Foundation is at its end, all its foot soldiers, Ian Khama and Mmusi Maimane; they are at their wit’s end. They’ve run out of ideas.
What they do not realize is that this is not about ZANU PF; this is about African people rediscovering themselves, African people redefining themselves outside of the colonial context.
And this is what is worrying the Brenthurst Foundation: that the people of SADC, the people of Africa, are identifying themselves with their true greatness, which is their true history.
</blockquote>
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ZANU PF party in Zimbabwe is being criticized by other parties in SADC countries for supporting ruling parties that are also former liberation movements. ZANU PF says its strength comes from representing true African values and not manipulation. They accuse Western powers and their puppets in the SADC region of trying to undermine African sovereignty. ZANU PF believes that African people are rediscovering their true history and greatness, which worries the Western powers. They claim that the opposition voices in the region are running out of ideas to stop the party.

ZANU PF Too Powerful For Western Puppets In SADC Region, Says Marapira

Zimbabwe’s ruling party, ZANU PF, has firmly rejected predictions from South African opposition MP Mmusi Maimane that it could be the next political party to fall, following the recent defeat of the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) in the October 30 elections.
The BDP, which had ruled Botswana for 58 years, suffered a heavy loss to the opposition Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), led by Duma Gideon Boko, in a landslide victory.
ZANU PF had shown strong support for the BDP during the campaign, with some of its senior officials sent to Botswana to help with the BDP’s election efforts.
Despite this, ZANU PF has dismissed any comparisons to the BDP’s defeat, insisting that the party is here to stay and remains firmly in control of Zimbabwe’s political landscape. Said Maimane:
<blockquote>
Chest pains. ZANU PF is next. We know you wanted your best friend Masisi to win but Batswana said no.
</blockquote>
In response to Maimane’s remarks, ZANU PF Director of Information Farai Marapira said the party has consistently fulfilled the aspirations of Zimbabweans, and as a result, the people will grant it another mandate in 2028. He said:
<blockquote>
ZANU PF is not going anywhere, ZANU PF will be here today, and ZANU PF will be here in 2028 because we continue to fulfil the needs of our people. We continue to satisfy the dreams of our people and that is what gets people into office.
</blockquote>
Marapira also denied allegations that ZANU PF stays in power through voter intimidation, asserting that the party has no need to intimidate anyone, as it consistently delivers on its promises.
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ZANU PF, the ruling party in Zimbabwe, said they won't fall like the Botswana Democratic Party. They rejected claims from Mmusi Maimane, a South African opposition member. The Botswana party lost after ruling for 58 years and ZANU PF supported them in the elections. ZANU PF says they fulfill the people's needs and won't be going away. They think they will still be in power in 2028. They deny using intimidation to stay in power. Maimane thinks ZANU PF will be next to fall.

ZANU PF Dismisses Mmusi Maimane’s Claim It Could Be Next to Fall

ZANU PF has dismissed allegations by former Botswana President Ian Khama that it interfered in regional electoral processes to support fellow ruling parties.
The party’s Director for Information and Publicity denied any involvement in elections in neighbouring countries and accused Khama of being a Western stooge engaged in regime change efforts.
He also claimed that Khama is unpopular in his own country and is likely to lose the upcoming elections. Said Marapira (<a href="https://newziana.co.zw/zanu-pf-dismisses-ex-president-khamas-electoral-accusations/">New Ziana</a>):
<blockquote>
Nothing pleases us more than seeing lackeys and lapdogs of imperialism in sixes and sevens as they see their neo-colonialist agenda blown to smithereens by the resurgent winds of pan-Africanism sweeping across mother Africa.
To blame ZANU PF for your lack of ideological soundness is not only blatantly denialist but also puerile madness.
ZANU PF does not interfere in the expression of their wishes by sons and daughters of Africa. It is those who see the writing on the wall and fail to accept it through escapist drive who wish to deny the people their voice. We wish the people of Botswana more and more glory. Happy elections Botswana!
</blockquote>
Speaking at a campaign rally in Botswana, Khama labelled ZANU PF a “regional cancer,” accusing the party of undermining democracy throughout Southern Africa by allegedly supporting other ruling parties.
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ZANU PF said they didn't meddle in other countries' elections to help other ruling parties. They also said Khama is a puppet of the West trying to change governments. ZANU PF thinks Khama will lose his own election. They say they believe in letting African people choose their leaders. Khama called ZANU PF a problem in the region, accusing them of not wanting democracy. They argued back, saying they support African voices. Khama spoke out at a rally in Botswana against ZANU PF.

ZANU PF Rejects Allegations Of Election Meddling By Ian Khama

The ruling ZANU PF party says Zimbabwean jails are not exclusively for opposition activists, but rather for individuals who commit crimes, including members of the party itself.
This comes amid the recent detentions of scores of opposition activists without bail, as the ZANU PF-led government has made it clear it will not tolerate protests during the upcoming 44th Southern African Development Community (SADC) Heads of State and Government Summit on August 17.
In an interview with NewsDay on Tuesday, ZANU PF’s director of information, Farai Marapira, defended the government’s actions, saying the police arrest criminals regardless of their political affiliation. He said:
<blockquote>
Jails are not set on partisan matters. We also have some ZANU PF members who are in jail. If you commit a crime, you are arrested and this is clear.
We have several people from ZANU PF who are also in jail and it is not fair for the opposition party to point fingers at us because we don’t force anyone to commit a crime.
</blockquote>
Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) spokesperson Promise Mkwananzi contested ZANU PF’s claims, claiming that CCC members and human rights activists have been arrested without committing any criminal offences. Said Mkwananzi:
<blockquote>
We are continuing to see arrests of our members and this has become too much. We are even finding it difficult to attend national programmes like the Heroes Day celebrations because we do not have a guarantee that our members are safe.
</blockquote>
On June 16, CCC chief administrator Jameson Timba, along with 77 other party activists, were arrested while commemorating the Day of the African Child. The CCC members have remained in detention since that time.
In the weeks following the initial arrests, authorities have continued to detain and charge numerous activists with a range of offences, including allegations of disorderly conduct and holding unlawful gatherings.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Zimbabwe's ruling party ZANU PF says people go to jail for breaking the law, not just opposition members. The government has been detaining opposition activists ahead of a big meeting. ZANU PF says they arrest criminals no matter their party. The opposition group CCC says their members are arrested without doing anything wrong. They are worried for their safety. ZANU PF says it's fair to arrest members who commit crimes, even from their own party. The situation is tense in Zimbabwe with many arrests happening.

Zimbabwean Jails Reserved For Lawbreakers, Not Just Opposition - ZANU PF

ZANU PF has issued a stern warning to businessman Wicknell Chivayo after he claimed that President Emmerson Mnangagwa and the State are firmly in his pockets.
In a leaked audio, someone widely believed to be Chivayo is heard boasting that he has captured Mnangagwa and is using his relationship with the President to enrich himself. He said:
<blockquote>
I am holding this thing in my hand. When (Mnangagwa) went to Italy, I walked him to his aeroplane where he proceeded to bid farewell and called me his son.
I am inside the President’s circle. Take advantage of that, do not eat from where I would have worked or from what caused problems for us in the past.
</blockquote>
In an interview with <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200028161/chivayos-ed-claims-rattle-govt">NewsDay</a> on Tuesday, ZANU PF director for information Farai Marapira said the ruling party will soon clip Chivayo’s wings. He said:
<blockquote>
As ZANU PF, we take notice of any snide insinuations made against our first secretary and president. We take seriously any and all attempts to reduce his standing and goodwill.
Our president is incapable of being captured and his history is too illustrious to be reduced by any supposed tomfoolery or overzealousness. We definitely will not allow that.
We will not tolerate it nor stand by (and watch).
</blockquote>
Marapira had earlier posted on his X (formerly Twitter) page, warning Chivayo that he will “fall” although he did not identify the businessman by name. He wrote:
<blockquote>
There are some things that are played with and dithered with. Not our leader and president. There is one guaranteed thing about people on high horses … They fall off … Pride comes before a great fall.
</blockquote>
In the audio, Chivayo boasts that he gets government contracts with advance payments because “I’m a trusted son to the President”. He said:
<blockquote>
Sometimes I ignore the moment I say ‘good morning’ you go straight to convene a meeting discussing the amount you would get in these deals.
But if you get US$100 000. It keeps you going. How many times have I gotten these payments? Imagine this is the first one. Next week I’m getting another one which is US$5,2 million. Then we start other projects with the police, immigration and so forth.
Don’t be greedy. I told you, bring new work. Chinhu ndakachibata kuti dzvii (I have captured the whole system). When he was going to Italy, I got to the airport and he held my hand and said ‘my son walk me to the plane’.
We talked. After greeting all the two Vice Presidents, he gave me assignments to do when he was away and shouted at me ‘I will call you when I get to Italy’.
So, I’m saying take advantage of that. Don’t try and eat what I have done myself or what caused us problems in the past. How can you cry about school fees? Yesterday alone, I bought a watch for US$2,2 million.
So; how can you cry about school fees? We once had a fallout with the President. But if he has accepted us, let’s get whatever is there and keep going.
The level is now different. From election time, I’m ten times higher than I was then if not twenty.
</blockquote>
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