The Herald (Zimbabwe)

POLITBURO SETS TONE FOR CONGRESS:

- Tendai Mugabe Senior Reporter

THE new political dispensati­on ushered in by Operation Restore Legacy has brought hope and renewed confidence in the national economy and positive results are already trickling in.

Operation Restore Legacy was executed by the Zimbabwe Defence Forces targeting a cabal of criminal elements that had surrounded former President, Cde Robert Mugabe.

The cabal was posing a serious national security threat taking advantage of Cde Mugabe’s advanced age to commit criminal activities.

Addressing journalist­s after a Zanu-PF Politburo meeting held yesterday ahead of the party’s Extraordin­ary Congress scheduled for tomorrow, Zanu-PF Secretary for Informatio­n and Publicity Cde Simon Khaya Moyo said Zanu-PF First Secretary and President Cde Emmerson Mnangagwa urged all members to hit the ground running in their respective areas.

“In his opening remarks he assured all members that the life of the Politburo and the Central Committee will run their full terms and that all anxiety should migrate and members should be ready to work assiduousl­y for the party.”

Cde Khaya Moyo said Finance Minister Cde Patrick Chinamasa gave a lucid presentati­on on Zim-Asset adding that the new political dispensati­on in the country had renewed people’s hope.

“The Secretary for Legal Affairs Cde Patrick Chinamasa in his capacity as Minister of Finance gave a positive update on Zim-Asset,” he said.

“He informed the Politburo that the new dispensati­on in the country had brought hope and confidence in the economy and indication­s are showing positive growth.

“The budget had been positively received and had started to stimulate growth in the economy and will reverse the negative perception of the country abroad. Efforts are underway to get the National Railways of Zimbabwe and the Cold Storage Commission functional again and employ the youths.

“Vocational Training Centres will be establishe­d in each administra­tive district.

Added Cde Khaya Moyo: “The Secretary for Legal Affairs Cde Patrick Chinamasa read through the agenda and programme of the Extraordin­ary Congress as well as the resolution­s of the special Central Committee held on 19th November 2017 for ratificati­on by the Extra-Ordinary Congress. Virtually all former sister liberation movements in the Sadc region have confirmed sending representa­tives to this Extraordin­ary Congress including the Communist Party of China.”

Cde Khaya Moyo said the new Minister of Lands, Agricultur­e and Rural Resettleme­nt Air Marshal Perrance Shiri gave a comprehens­ive update on the state of agricultur­e in the country.

He said his presentati­on covered progress on Command Agricultur­e, the Presidenti­al Inputs Support Scheme and the state of the country’s grain reserves.

“The Minister of Lands, Agricultur­e and Rural Resettleme­nt Cde Air Marshal Perrance Shiri gave the state of agricultur­e in the country,” he said.

“The Minister assured the Politburo that the country has enough maize to sustain until the next season. He also assured the Politburo that the 2017/18 season is in full swing and the demand of inputs under Command Agricultur­e had risen.

“The Presidenti­al Inputs Scheme and the Cotton Inputs Scheme are also underway and are expected to cover more households this season. Cabinet had already approved the concept note of the livestock, fisheries and wildlife production. This will start with growing of pastures that will increase the biomass of our livestock. There will be need for disease control and creation of cement banks.”

On preparatio­ns of tomorrow’s Extraordin­ary Congress, Cde Khaya Moyo said: “Preparatio­ns for the Extraordin­ary session of Congress are more than 95 percent complete. Sufficient resources have been mobilised to take place. Party parapherna­lia is already in place and accreditat­ion is winding up.

“A total of 7 874 people are expected to attend the Congress with 5 295 being delegates according to the brief presented by the Secretary for Finance who is also the acting Secretary for Administra­tion Cde Obert Mpofu.

“In addition, he informed the Politburo that the party has had an overwhelmi­ng support from the corporate world and many other individual well wishers. The new dispensati­on was rejuvenate­d and reignited confidence across the nation. This is a good indicator of where the party will be in 2018 as we hold harmonised elections.”

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