Mnangagwa a genuine reformer, says Mutsvangwa

Felix Matasva

MUTARE – Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services minister,
Monica Mutsvangwa has said President Emmerson Mnangagwa wants Zimbabweans enjoy
freedoms provided for by the 2013 constitution.

She said this at the official
opening of national consultative workshop on Zimbabwe Media Commission (ZMC)
Bill, Freedom of Information Bill and the Draft National Media and Film
Industry Policy.

The workshop, which was held at
Holiday Inn Mutare on September 26, saw stakeholders in the media and film
industry convene in order to deliberate on the bills.

Mutsvangwa said stakeholders must
feel safe, claiming President Mnangagwa was a truly devoted reformist.

“I want to give assurances
from the very outset that President Emmerson Mnangagwa is a genuine and
committed reformer. This came from the briefing he gave me as assigned me to my
new ministerial task. He wants Zimbabweans to fully enjoy the freedoms they
entrenched in the 2013 constitution of which he was one of the legal brains at
the forefront, “said Mutsvangwa.

She said Mnangagwa was eager to
nurture a culture of democratic conversation as evidenced by his opening of the
debate on the Gukurahundi massacres of the 1980s.

“Our task is thus made much
easier because my principal, the President aspires to nurture a culture of
democratic discourse and governance that removes any hindrances to the full
realisation of the Zimbabweans at work, at play and at worship.

 “You can see this in practice. He has
opened debate on every subject and dispensed with any political taboos all the
way to the Gukurahundi affair. He is dispensing with all elements of fear in
the national body politic.

“I look forward to this
workshop’s recommendations which should assist the ministry and parliament to
appropriately position various clauses in the bills in a manner that unites the
views of media stakeholders with those of citizens and government,” said
Mutsvangwa.