Online Reporter
Samuel Kadungure
News Editor
A FLOOD of cash donations, livestock and food supplies has poured into ZANU PF Manicaland’s coffers, enabling the province to surpass its fundraising target ahead of the ruling party’s 23rd National People’s Conference set for Chinhoyi in Mashonaland West Province.
The annual indaba, expected to attract between 3 500 and 4 000 delegates from across the country, is one of ZANU PF’s most significant policy-making gatherings.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has previously said the conference should focus on practical socio-economic solutions and policy interventions capable of accelerating national development and improving people’s livelihoods.
ZANU PF Manicaland provincial chairman, Cde Tawanda Mukodza, confirmed that the province had exceeded the US$75 000 target set by the party’s national leadership.
“We now have the money. What has so far been verified and agreed with the national leadership is that US$80 000 from Manicaland has already been deposited directly into the party’s national account. This is what we have been able to trace, and more proof of payments are still coming through.
“Our fundraising target, guided by the national leadership, was US$75 000, together with food items and livestock. We have also raised 150 pockets of potatoes, 100 cases of bottled water, 7 320 kilogrammes of maize-meal and 700 kilogrammes of bananas,” said Cde Mukodza.
He said the fundraising exercise remains open as several supporters who made pledges are yet to fulfil them.
“Meeting the target does not mean the exercise ends there. We still have people who pledged support and have not yet honoured their commitments. We are encouraging them to do so. Anyone who wishes to donate to the party can still make a contribution. We are also still expecting four cattle from Makoni,” he said.
The fundraising success comes after the province’s inter-district conference, where delegates unanimously adopted a number of resolutions that will be tabled at the forthcoming National People’s Conference.
Among the resolutions are proposals to align the party constitution with the Constitution of Zimbabwe, defer imminent internal elections and endorse the continued leadership of President Mnangagwa beyond 2030.
The National People’s Conference serves as a strategic platform for the ruling party to assess progress on previous resolutions, evaluate implementation of policies and set priorities for the future.
Manicaland’s latest resolutions build on decisions adopted at last year’s conference held in Mutare, where delegates backed the extension of President Mnangagwa’s tenure from 2028 to 2030 through Constitutional Amendment Act No. 3.
Cde Mukodza said aligning the party constitution with the national Constitution would strengthen institutional cohesion, eliminate inconsistencies and help curb internal divisions that have historically fuelled factionalism.
“The alignment of the party constitution with the national Constitution is not merely a legal technicality. It institutionalises policy continuity and removes perennial triggers of factionalism that have historically disrupted programmes at district and provincial level.
“Manicaland resolved that President Mnangagwa be the sole candidate for the country’s presidency and First Secretary and President of the party up to 2030,” he said.
Cde Mukodza said political stability and leadership continuity are critical for sustained economic growth and effective implementation of development programmes.
“By insulating incumbent leadership from internal contestation, the party creates room for long-term planning, investor confidence and coherent implementation of Vision 2030.
“We are endorsing continuity and alignment because the country needs predictability above all else. For too long, divisive internal elections have consumed time, resources and energy that should be directed towards development projects, infrastructure development and empowerment initiatives. This resolution allows us to focus on delivery rather than internal battles, and that is what communities are demanding,” he said.
ZANU PF treasurer-general, Cde Patrick Chinamasa, also weighed in on the issue, saying frequent internal contests often generate divisions that weaken focus on governance and service delivery.
Drawing from his experience in the party’s national disciplinary structures, Cde Chinamasa said excessive internal competition had over the years diverted attention from programmes aimed at improving citizens’ livelihoods.
He said Manicaland remained firmly behind President Mnangagwa’s leadership and the Vision 2030 development agenda, expressing confidence that the resolutions adopted by the province would contribute to policy continuity and organisational stability ahead of the conference.
