Zanu-PF in Chipinge unity drive
ZANU-PF has intensified efforts to unite its members in Chipinge District by initiating a healing programme aimed at fostering peace and unity among winning and losing candidates in the primary elections.
The programme, which was convened by the commissariat department, was held in two constituencies - Chipinge East and Chipinge Central - last week.
In Chipinge Central, deputy national political commissar Cde Omega Hungwe addressed thousands of party supporters at Chipinge Country Club where she urged losing and winning candidates to bury the hatchet and work together ahead of the harmonised election.
Cde Hungwe urged party supporters in Chipinge Central to work with Cde Ray Machingura, who beat Zanu-PF deputy chairperson Cde Dorothy Mabika, in the primary election re-run.
“Let’s rally behind the winning candidates and throw our weight behind President Mnangagwa,” she said. “We belong to one party and there is no winner until the elections are done, so let’s support each other and forget about primary elections.
“I’m happy with the huge turnout today and this shows that supporters of the losing candidates have buried the hatchet and pledge to work with others. I’m also happy with some of the candidates who have publicly endorsed councillors and MPs who won the primary elections and all this shows the party remains strong in Chipinge.”
Cde Hungwe took a swipe at the previous administration for not dealing decisively with culprits fingered in a residential stand scam where hundreds of youths in Chipinge were swindled of their hardearned cash by some leaders in the party structures.
“President Mnangagwa has reiterated that there is no room for corruption and those found on the wrong side will be prosecuted,” she said.
“We will forward the issue to the responsible people and we will push for it to be resolved before the elections.”
In Chipinge East, National Consultative Assembly member Cde Gideon Goko addressed about 4 000 party supporters at Mandere Business Centre where he preached unity.
Cde Goko said he was sent by the commissariat to tell the people that there would be no more re-runs.
“I have been sent by the commissariat department to convey a message to people in Chipinge East that there will be no more primary election re-runs,” he said.
“We urge those who did not make it to support the winners so that we garner more votes in the next harmonised elections.”
The commissariat department was expected to convene meetings in three more constituencies in the area.