Shocking figures revealed yesterday show that Zimbabweans have spent a staggering US$1.6 billion on foreign second-hand vehicles in just six years. The massive cash drain has sent government officials scrambling to revive the country's dormant car manufacturing sector.
Industry and Commerce Minister Mangaliso Ndlovu dropped the bombshell during high-level talks with South African auto bigwigs from the Association of African Automobile Manufacturers on Wednesday. "The money leaves our shores at an alarming rate," he declared to the visiting delegation. "These imports steal jobs directly from Zimbabwean workers!"
The Minister blasted the quality of these imported jalopies, claiming most barely survive three years on Zimbabwean roads before breaking down. He painted a rosy future where Zimbabwe might slash these costly imports, pointing to recent developments in the nation's iron and steel industry as the foundation for a manufacturing renaissance.
"Our iron and steel sector improvements will let us bring car manufacturing back home," Ndlovu promised the South African car executives. The cash-strapped nation appears desperate to keep those billions within its borders rather than shipping them overseas for vehicles that quickly become expensive scrap metal.
Industry and Commerce Minister Mangaliso Ndlovu dropped the bombshell during high-level talks with South African auto bigwigs from the Association of African Automobile Manufacturers on Wednesday. "The money leaves our shores at an alarming rate," he declared to the visiting delegation. "These imports steal jobs directly from Zimbabwean workers!"
The Minister blasted the quality of these imported jalopies, claiming most barely survive three years on Zimbabwean roads before breaking down. He painted a rosy future where Zimbabwe might slash these costly imports, pointing to recent developments in the nation's iron and steel industry as the foundation for a manufacturing renaissance.
"Our iron and steel sector improvements will let us bring car manufacturing back home," Ndlovu promised the South African car executives. The cash-strapped nation appears desperate to keep those billions within its borders rather than shipping them overseas for vehicles that quickly become expensive scrap metal.
