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saying delays in resolving the case of suspended acting chairperson, Cde Zwelitsha Masuku, was hampering party growth.
Cde Masuku was suspended late last year on allegations of flouting party procedure. To date no disciplinary action has been taken against Cde Masuku who was recently replaced by Cde Thokozile Mathuthu.
Speaking during a four-hour provincial co-ordinating committee meeting at Lupane Hall, the provincial leadership said the election of a new chairperson was long overdue.
The provincial leaders implored the senior party leadership in Harare to expedite the conclusion of Cde Masuku’s case in order to enhance progress in the party.
“We have written a letter to the senior party office requesting to hold elections for the substantive provincial chairperson after the suspension of the then chairman. We have not received any response from head office,” said Cde Mathuthu.
The provincial leaders said the party was not performing well in the province because of the continued lack of leadership and challenged the head office to play its role in order to bring sanity in the province.
Umguza MP and party politburo member, Dr Obert Mpofu, said the provincial leadership was confused because they do not know why Cde Masuku was suspended.
“We have approached head office seeking to know why the chairman was suspended. Up to now we do not know what is happening with this matter. We disassociate ourselves from what happened and we are keen to have an election of a substantive chairperson,” he said.
Dr Mpofu accused some senior party members at head office of seeking to destroy the party for selfish interests.
“Let us advise each other with the aim of building the party than destroying it. Head office should not allow some people to destroy the party. Even if you are a senior member you should do things in accordance with the party constitution.
“We do not want people who come here and make subjective decisions to destroy us. We cannot be told by anybody that we are disorganised. Whoever brings confusion in Matabeleland North will be resisted. As a province we will only take lawful orders,” said Dr Mpofu.
“We want to improve the performance of the party but some people want to destroy us. People from Matabeleland North alone will elect the leader they want and not anyone from Harare. This issue has destabilised our operations as a province.”
The party leaders called for unity of purpose at all levels of leadership and expressed optimism that once the matter was resolved Matabeleland North would win the people’s support and subsequently win resoundingly come general elections.
Cde Webster Shamu, who attended the meeting, assured the provincial leaders that head office was going to take urgent steps to bring the matter to finality.
“I know this is a painful issue. I want to assure you that we will give this issue the seriousness it deserves. I will speak to the national chairman Cde Simon Khaya Moyo because we need to move with speed and resolve this issue.
“We do not want to continue in this situation especially as we are looking forward to an election. Let us not spoil the good work that the province is doing. We should finalise the issue to enable the province to elect a substantial chairperson under the conditions that will satisfy all of us,” said Cde Shamu.
Meanwhile, the province also rolled out a massive campaign strategy, which will see the revolutionary party conducting a thorough verification of structures in all its seven districts.
The districts are Nkayi, Bubi, Tsholotsho, Hwange, Umguza, Lupane and Binga.
The provincial political commissar, Cde Jonathan Nkanyezi, said the verification exercise would be followed by rallies, which would be addressed by senior party leaders in the province including Vice-President Landa John Nkomo and Bulawayo Governor and Resident Minister Cain Mathema.
The district coordinating committee chairpersons also took time to present reports about the state of the party.
They indicated that many people were interested in joining Zanu-PF and appealed to the senior leadership to provide resources for them to recruit more members ahead of the harmonised elections expected sometime this year.
The meeting was attended by politburo, central committee and National Consultative Assembly members among them Cde Sithembiso Nyoni, who is also the MP for Nkayi North and Cde Clifford Sibanda, MP for Bubi constituency.
Online Reporter