The ManicaPost
Samuel Kadungure Senior Reporter—
THE Zanu-PF 16th Annual National People’s Conference currently underway in Masvingo is expected to unite its supporters ahead of 2018 harmonised elections.President Mugabe addressed the 104th Ordinary Session of the Zanu-PF Central Committee in Harare on Wednesday, during which he castigated some party officials for nursing unbridled ambitions for senior positions.
He called for unity and peace among bickering party officials and urged them to focus their energies on transforming the country’s economy.
In separate interviews yesterday (Thursday), Zanu-PF heavyweights from Manicaland, said the party should emerge from this all-important conference more united and tolerant of internal and external criticism to enhance internal participatory democracy and minimise internal disgruntlement within its rank and file.
Zanu-PF Central Committee member and Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Cde Mandi Chimene, said the party should take a radical stance against factionalism, unchecked ambition among members and indiscipline among other thorny problems affecting the revolutionary party.
“People should work hard to grow the party, not eyeing occupied positions. It is unheard of in Zanu-PF to eye occupied positions. People should be content with positions they occupy. The President is subjected to elections every five years, and people vote for him because of his performance. He doesn’t impose himself, it is the people who should elect people in positions,” said Cde Chimene.
Another Central Committee member, Cde Shadreck Tongesai Chipanga, said it was wrong for those with ambitions to bulldoze their way up.
“Do well to the people for they are the only ones to take you up the ladder. Of course in politics, people position themselves, but you should gauge if people have trust in you than push your way up. Priority should be on strengthening the party than power struggles,” said Cde Chipanga.
Cde Kenneth Saruchera, the party’s provincial secretary for administration, said President Mugabe gave everyone policy and strategic direction to follow.
“This should guide party activities, programmes and speeches. Essentially, the party is being asked to focus on the economy and development as guided by the Zim-Asset economic blueprint. People will judge us for what we would have done to them, not what we would have said. The party constitution is very clear on how people acquire leadership positions and any aspirations to position of leadership should thus be guided by the party constitution,” said Cde Saruchera.
Zanu-PF Secretary for Youth Affairs, Cde Kudzi Chipanga, said past mistakes had taught party cadres a lesson that a house divided cannot stand.
