Finance Minister, Patrick Chinamasa, has rubbished claims that his son, Tino was caught trying to smuggle $7 million through the Beitbridge border post on Sunday.
“There have been rumours circulating in the social media about the alleged arrest of my son for allegedly trying to smuggle 7 million cash through Beitbridge border posts on Sunday 29 May 2016,” said Chinamasa while describing the rumours as false, evil, malicious and highly mischievous.
Minister Chinamasa said such rumours will not discourage government from pushing for economic reforms.
“This onslaught on my character and reputation will not deter or intimidate us from pursuing economic reforms within the context of ZIMASSET,” he said adding that he was emboldened to accelerate implementation of the reform agenda in order to turn around the fortunes of the country’s economy.
He added that government supports the hilt measures by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe aimed at stimulating production, generating exports, reducing the import bill and containing externalisation of foreign currency.
“The RBZ governor is available to engage any group to fully explain the measures and how they will help address the cash crisis and stimulate economic activities for the benefit of Zimbabwe and its people,” Chinamasa said.
He said government was consulting Afreximbank, International Monetary Fund, AfDB and the World Bank to explore mechanisms that could be put in place to ensure there was no abuse in the issuance of bond notes and that they were issued relative to the quantum of exports generated in the economy.
Going forward, Chinamasa urged journalists and other users of social media to report responsibly and avoid peddling falsehoods.
