President Mugabe advises Zanu-PF members PEACE TO COUNTER VIOLENCE
NO amount of dirty politicking and coalitions by opposition elements will force Zanu-PF into another Government of National Unity, the revolutionary party’s Politburo said yesterday.
Addressing journalists after a Politburo meeting in Harare, Zanu-PF secretary for administration Cde Ignatius Chombo, said President Mugabe directed party members to craft peaceful strategies to counter violent protests being perpetrated by the opposition.
At the fore of the violent protests is Morgan Tsvangirai’s MDC-T, Dr Joice Mujuru’s Zimbabwe People First and shadowy groups seeking illegal regime change.
They are being funded by Western countries who have since 2000 plotted to topple the Zanu-PF Government without success.
“In his opening remarks, President Mugabe stated that the Politburo was an important organ of the party and we should drive it in the political contest with the opposition who have combined to attack Zanu-PF through protests over amendments to the Constitution and Statutory Instrument 64 of 2016,” Cde Chombo said.
“His Excellency stated that the opposition had forged a coalition aided by some external forces, which have become glaringly visible. The opposition has taken to violent protests supported by Western powers who are providing financial aid. The President informed the Politburo on the need for the party to evolve its own strategies to counter the violence being perpetrated by the opposition.”
He added: “The opposition is doing this with the hope that they would force Zanu-PF into a Government of National Unity. There cannot be a Government of National Unity when Zanu-PF won the elections and was given a five year mandate to rule. President Mugabe went on to encourage members of the party to be highly vigilant, well organised and to be firm in defending the party so that Zanu-PF has a resounding victory in 2018.”
The protests have seen shops being looted, cars being burnt, property destroyed and innocent people attacked.
Cde Chombo said discussions also centred on the preparations for the 16th Annual National People’s Conference slated for Masvingo in December.
“The specific conference dates have not yet been determined but we are in the process,” he said. “The party is now busy deciding on the venue and mobilising resources to ensure this annual event is a resounding success and that the party continues to march forward in unity and defeat all other parties that are on the way.” He said Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development Minister Dr Joseph Made, had presented a detailed report on the forthcoming 2016/17 summer cropping season. “He informed the Politburo that the coming season will have normal to above normal rainfall,” Cde Chombo said. “In this light, the Minister made a statement that they have targeted 400 000 hectares under the command agriculture programme. Identified farmers will be given inputs, which they will pay back by giving Government five tonnes per hectare and any surplus will be for the farmer. At the moment verification for the farmers to be contracted is underway.” Cde Chombo went on: “The Minister further stated that the Presidential Well-Wishers Input Scheme will this season cater for up to 1, 4 million small holder farmers. This scheme is meant to ensure food security at household level. Furthermore Government will support cotton farmers with inputs to cultivate 250 000ha.” On outstanding disciplinary cases, Cde Chombo said: “The Disciplinary Appeals and Review Committee of the Central Committee presided over 17 cases in which three members had their sentences reduced to two years, one year and eight months which have been served already. The committee upheld the two year suspensions for 12 members while the remaining two cases were referred to the National Disciplinary Committee.
“The NDC gave a report, four cases from Harare province of members who had been suspended for five years were dealt with. Politburo endorsed the lifting of suspensions on three of those members while the other case is still under investigation.”
Cde Chombo said secretaries for commissariat (Cde Saviour Kasukuwere) and science and technology (Professor Jonathan Moyo) made a presentation on the new electronic party card.
“This is a cutting edge development which will enable the party to keep abreast with changes in ICT,” he said.
“The Commissar also gave us a detailed report on the political activities taking place in all the 10 provinces. The Politburo was quite pleased that the party was active and involved in many programmes and activities. He highlighted the campaign strategies for the three by elections due in October.”
The by elections are due in Norton, Chimanimani West and Bikita West.