Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe on Thursday called for new legislation that imposes stiffer sentences on those netted in the country's clean-up campaign.

Speaking at a police parade in Harare, Mugabe said there was " growing need for mandatory jail sentences for persons convicted of illegal dealings in precious stones and foreign currency."

According to the Zimbabwean government, the illegal business include rampant profiteering, illicit dealing in and externalization of foreign currency, fraud, corruption, hoarding of essential commodities and tax evasion.

Mugabe commended the police for supporting the clean up campaign, scolded by the western media as uprooting the poor and destroying their livelihood.

Source: Xinhua