Party’s Mat North membership doubles

ZANU-PF Matabeleland North Province has doubled its card carrying membership to about 160 700 in the last three years.

The party has gone on an aggressive recruitment drive in the province ahead of the 2018 elections.

Giving an update on restructuring activities at a provincial coordinating committee meeting on Saturday in Lupane, the party’s provincial commissar Cde Martin Khumalo said the party now has 191 districts up from 189.

“We maintained the 191 districts which rose up from 189 in 2013 because of new districts in Binga and Bubi, as there hasn’t been a circular directing us to restructure,” said Cde Khumalo who is also Lupane East Member of Parliament.

He said there are now 3 238 cells in the

Munacho Mutezo.

The voting took place smoothly and peacefully and survived the scare of heavy rains that could render some places impassable, with results being announced early morning Sunday. The result banished the ruling party’s recent loss in Norton, and Zanu-PF’s relief was evident.

Cde Matsikenyere attributed her win to unity within the party and a campaign blitz province against a projected number of

4 175 while they have also surpassed half of the 955 branches.

“As Commissariat, we sat and converted the number of cells to figures and this gives us 160 700 members. Our recommendation to the province is that they must make sure all these people have cards because failure to do so may result in them being taken by other parties,” said Cde Khumalo. He bemoaned voter apathy in the province. “Now that we have a lot of people in the structures, we must ensure they are registered voters,” said Cde Khumalo.

He said the party should be wary of plans by opposition parties to make a coalition as they may upset the party if they combine.

Cde Khumalo said there was a need for unity of purpose in building of structures to be sure of retaining all seats the party garnered in 2013.

that saw heavies descending on Chimanimani to drum up her support. “This win was as a result of unity and the support that we got from national, provincial and district levels,” said Cde Matsikenyere.

“There was no disunity and we worked together as one team,” she said. She said Chimanimani West would “never be the same again”.

“We are going to champion development

Speaking at the same occasion, the party’s provincial chairman Cde Richard Moyo encouraged party members to work together for the success of the party.

He challenged youths to register so they can vote in the next elections.

“We have children who are now eligible voters and it’s up to us to mobilise them to make sure they have National Identity Cards and that they are registered voters. Let’s ensure that our children register as voters.

“All we need to do is remain focused, starting from our cells upwards. Our Commissariat has worked tirelessly to win new members and we should continue working hard,” added Cde Moyo.

He said the province was waiting for disbursement of membership cards from the national office for new members. — @ ncubeleon

through projects for youth and women. We are going to provide water to the people — already we have sunk boreholes and we are going to undertake de-siltation of dams so that they hold enough for irrigation activities,” pledged Cde Matsikenyere.

Her closest rival, Mr Mtetwa, conceded defeat but claimed there had been intimidation of the electorate, although no official reports confirmed this.