Zanu-PF using ‘spider-web’ campaign strategy: Rugeje

accurately. I addressed a rally in Machona, which is almost close to the border with Mozambique. I addressed a rally in Kwale, which is very close to the border with South Africa and Botswana just trying to establish whether what people are alleging is true that the generality of people in rural areas don’t know that there is leadership has change. That is false. People know that VaMugabe resigned. People know that the current head of state, commander of chief and President of the Republic is Cde Mnangagwa. People have radios, mobile phones, television sets and are on social media. Tell whoever is saying that to give us a break. I am talking from practical experience. Ranga, tell me; are you telling me that when the entire nation came out in numbers on the 18th of November in solidarity with what the Defence Forces had done; those people were foreigners? These solidarity marches were not only confined to urban areas. I come from Bikita, there were demonstrations there and there were also demonstrations in Chiredzi and everywhere. What were they demonstrating about? In all the areas that we have travelled as commissariat, people are clamouring for President Mnangagwa regalia. Let no one mislead the nation by saying that the generality of people are not aware of the new dispensation. I get very offended when I hear some armchair critics saying such kind of things. That is reckless and mischievous statements from uninformed people. RM: One of the issues that was at the centre of the disharmonious state of affairs in the party was lack of rigorous orientation and lack of adherence or attachment to the party’s founding ethos and principles. Highlight steps taken by the commissariat department to ensure that members are adequately educated and respect the party’s foundational ethos? ER: I fully agree with that assertion. That there was total lack of understanding of what Zanu-PF stood for. The revolution had been hijacked by people who were not interested in championing what the party represented. The revolution had been infiltrated by fifth columnist. People who wanted to destroy the party because they did not understand the history of the party? Why people went to war to liberate this country? These were the people who were at the mantle of leadership within Zanu-PF. And I want to give you example- nobody would be trained militarily before undergoing a 21-day ideological orientation programme. You would not be able to go and cook sadza for other comrades before you were properly oriented. It was mandatory for every cadre that they go through political orientation programme. When you transgress or flout laws or instruction, you would not be thrown out of the party as what we were seeing in the past administration- war veterans for that matter. If they had committed any crimes during the war, they would be taken through a reorientation programme that politically puts them back onto the rail. This was not the case. Your saw what the Women’s and Youth League were doing. It was a clear manifestation of lack of proper political orientation. Although the Chitepo Ideological College existed, it was not fully utilised. There were piecemeal approaches to Chitepo programmes unlike now where we have embarked on sustainable Chitepo programmes. We have trained the national leadership of the youth league, women’s league, the war collaborators, the ex-detainees and leadership of students and civil servants to understand the importance of Zimbabwe. Chitepo ideological programmes are not only for Zanu-PF, they are for every law abiding citizen of this country. If we get an opportunity in future, we will get everyone through the Chitepo ideological College. If you look at other countries- like China today, those programmes of political education are critical in ensuring that people know their identity. People must know that despite our differences, we are Zimbabweans first before being anything. We fall under one flag. Look at the so-called old democracies. They have opposition of political parties but you don’t see them calling for the suffering of fellow citizens. When they are out there, they speak with one voice whether they are democrats, republicans, labour or conservatives- they all put the interests of their country first. It is unlike in our case where we have a situation where we have someone goes to America to castigate your own country-push for and support measures that bring agony to your own people. That’s murder. RM: Let’s go back to internal party matters. How far have you gone in vetting and processing applications of aspiring councillors and legislators? ER: It’s an ongoing process and will notify you when we are done with the exercise. It’s progressing well and that’s the only thing I can comment on that. RM: What are the basic requirements that the party is looking at in vetting an aspiring councillor? ER: Our guidelines are very clear. In the case of a councillor, one must be in our structures at branch or cell level for more than five years, you must be a fully subscribed member and not in arrears, you must be an individual of impeccable standing in society without a criminal record. Constitutionally, you must be above 18 years and for senatorial you must be above 40 years. RM: What about war veterans who might have been in structures but are active party cadres? ER: For all war veterans, there is a waiver. We don’t consider any position you have held in the party. All that is needed is to authenticate that you are a genuine war veteran. You can contest for any position you want. But one must not have a criminal record. RM: When is the party manifesto going to be launched? I am asking this question because when I spoke to the party spokesperson last week, he categorically said the manifesto would be ready this week. ER: It will be launched very soon. RM: How soon is soon Cde Rugeje? ER: The time resides in the future. There are other processes that precedes the launch of the manifesto otherwise we get ourselves onto a gridlock. RM: What are your general sentiments regarding some G40 members who have continued to denigrate the new dispensation including calling all those who support President Mnangagwa EDIOTS? ER: I have not come across anybody who talks directly to me in a negative way about the new dispensation except reading it in the Press. Usually I don’t want to talk about other people from other parties. I don’t want to talk about Jonathan Moyo or Zhuwao. I can’t be diverted from my mandate because of what Jonathan Moyo said. RM: Is it not within your purview to also protect the image and integrity of the party from unnecessary battering and misconceptions? ER: That is the role of S.K Moyo who is the chief public relations of the party. He is the one who should talk about that. My mandate is to restructure and mobile party cadres. I can’t get out that closet. I don’t waste my time talking about other political parties. We will meet at the elections. RM: There are reports that the leader of the National People’s Party Joice Mujuru and other former members like Didymus Mutasa and Rugare Gumbo are reconsidering rejoining Zanu-PF. How far true are those reports? ER: I am yet to hear about that but what I can tell you is that Mai Mujuru is most welcome. We welcome anybody who wants to join us- provided they apply and submit their applications to the secretary for administration. We don’t care which party you are coming from. So if Mai Mujuru wants to come, the door is open as long as she is coming without any conditions. But you know when someone is coming back, you start from the cell level. You are aware that almost everyone belongs to the cell. So when one joins, he/she must start at the cell level. RM: But what safety nests have you put in place to ensure that you don’t just accept some counter-revolutionary elements that will destabilise the party? ER: We have a very competent security department whose work was in the past frustrated by the same elements I have alluded to before. But now that they have been given enough space to exercise their duties, they will definitely do a thorough job. RM: There are sentiments that Zanu-PF is not campaigning and is not visible on the ground. How do you respond to such sentiments? ER: Who is really saying that? Do you really understand this ‘dandemutande’ strategy? I told you that I was at cells. People think that because they don’t read me in the papers or see me on television, then I am not visible. Let those who say we are not visible live in that delusion - they will meet us at the elections. What’s the point in having rallies when you have not verified whether we have structures on the ground or not? What’s the point of having rallies when we have not verified whether our members are registered? We don’t want to grandstand. It’s not the first time we have contested the elections and it’s not the first time we are going to win elections. RM: Lastly, Zimbabwe celebrated its 38th independence anniversary from British colonial rule. What’s your message to Zimbabweans regarding this day? ER: Independence Day always brings joy and a reminder of the journey we have travelled as a country. Independence is for everybody. It’s not a party issue. My clarion call is unity and more unity. We don’t want violence. Let’s find harmonious ways of resolving our differences. It really boggles the mind when people start saying Rugeje is selling out when they see me talking to an opposition member. Who doesn’t have relatives in MDC? Who doesn’t have relatives in Zanu-PF? We must show maturity as a nation. 38 years of independence is not a joke. — The Southern Times.