adminPamela Shumba and Mashudu Netsianda Senior Reporters
ZANU-PF has condemned elements that fuel corruption and fan factionalism, regionalism, tribalism, saying such people have no place in the revolutionary party as the nation today celebrates the 28th anniversary of the Unity Accord signed between President Robert Mugabe and the late Vice President Dr Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo in December 1987.
The Unity Day celebrations are an annual event commemorated on December 22.
Zanu-PF spokesperson, Cde Simon Khaya Moyo warned corrupt and pseudo-revolutionaries who paid lip service to the party that they would soon regret their actions. He said Zanu-PF does not brook factionalism within its rank and file, adding that the Unity Accord was all about uniting Zimbabweans regardless of their tribe and/or race.
“We must decisively deal with corruption amongst our people and remember that tribalism, regionalism and all negative isms which do not contribute to the unity of our people must be discarded because its either we fail together or we disintegrate and this must never be allowed to happen in our country. Corruption has no room in Zanu-PF and those who give lip service to the revolution will regret their activities,” he said.
Cde Khaya Moyo said Unity Day was a special day that every Zimbabwean regardless of their political affiliation ought to cherish.
“This is a special day for all patriotic Zimbabweans. Unity is vital to everyone irrespective of their political parties and we urge all people across the country to take this day seriously and really use it as a barometer of reflecting how far we have gone since 1987. There must be therefore a reminder to everyone that we must use this day to recollect our responsibilities,” he said.
Cde Khaya Moyo said the country soon after independence went through some political turmoil that did not augur well with the future of our newly independent state.
“Our two iconic leaders, that is President Robert Mugabe and the late Vice President Dr Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo in their wisdom found it necessary and urgent to bring together the two liberation movements of Zanu-PF and PF-Zapu into one following consultations,” he said.
Cde Khaya Moyo said unity was a key instrument to economic emancipation.
“It was found urgent to unite the two revolutionary parties and their armies Zanla and Zipra to demonstrate that unity was key to the economic emancipation of our people. This is why the motto we adopted when we signed the Unity Accord was unity, peace and development. Unity Day can therefore not be taken lightly because it is a day that we should celebrate as we reflect on the significance of unity and its benefits. We are therefore saying to all our people, it must be a day to also remember our iconic leaders,” he said. Minister of State for Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs Cde Cain Mathema said Unity Day should be celebrated by all Zimbabweans.
“We’re celebrating yet another year of unity. We’re not only celebrating the coming together of two liberation movements but the unity that exists among our people. It is critical to remain united.
“I want to encourage the nation to shun tribalism because it will never get us anywhere. Tribalism and racism are weapons that are used by the western world to divide the people,” said Cde Mathema.
He said it was important for the nation to take advantage of unity which has seen Zimbabwe enjoying peace to development the economy and uplift the people’s lives. “Now that there’s peace and unity in the country, we must work towards the implementation of Zim-Asset and the 10-point plan as articulated by President Mugabe.
“Let’s utilise the land that we fought for. There’s nothing that can stop us because we own the land, we own the economy and we own democracy,” said Cde Mathema. Zim-Asset, Cde Mathema added can be successfully implemented if the nation is united.
“We all want to see the nation developing. The infrastructure, including piped water in rural areas, schools, hospitals can be a reality if we put our heads together and work as a united nation,” said Cde Mathema.
Online Reporter