Liberation movements urged to stay united

attended the congress. The Zanu-PF delegation was led by national chairman Cde Simon Khaya Moyo.
Cde Khaya Moyo said in a statement yesterday that unity among liberation movements was emphasised throughout the congress.
“Observations were that erstwhile colonisers were determined to overthrow former liberation movements from power and install puppet regimes to serve Western interests,” he said.
“The need for vigilance and unity of purpose among former liberation movements could not be over emphasised.”
Cde Khaya Moyo said Chama Cha Mapinduzi amended its constitution at the congress.
Some of the changes included the establishment of the Advisory Elders Council made up of former party chairmen (presidents) and former party national executive committee office holders.
The party also reduced the national executive committee membership from 80 to 20.
“In his opening address, the chairman of Chama Cha Mapinduzi, who is also President of the United Republic of Tanzania — Cde Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete — spoke at length on the evils of corruption, describing it as a disease affecting all forms of development, religious tolerance, youth empowerment, infrastructural development, unity and the party’s constitutional amendments,” said Cde Khaya Moyo.
He said President Kikwete was re-elected chairman of the party for the next five years and would have two vice chairmen.
In his solidarity message at the congress, Cde Khaya Moyo said Zimbabwe realised that for people to enjoy political independence, they needed economic empowerment. He said Zanu-PF spearheaded the land reform programme and implemented the indigenisation and economic empowerment policy.
Cde Khaya Moyo said his party was confident that the full implementation of the policies would free the indigenous people from the bondage of poverty.
He commended Chama Cha Mapinduzi for its active role in setting up a joint party school for liberation movements.
Zanu-PF, said Cde Khaya Moyo, would support the revolutionary initiative.
Meanwhile, Cde Simon Khaya Moyo yesterday said Zimbabwe would need food aid if rains do not come on time this season.
He made the remarks when Red Cross Head of Operations for Central and Southern Africa Mr Patrick L’Hôte paid a courtesy call on him at Zanu-PF headquarters.
Cde Khaya Moyo said drought was likely to affect Zimbabwe’s yield, making it inevitable for the country to require food aid.
“We want to alert Red Cross that the atmosphere doesn’t look encouraging, the rains have delayed mainly because of climate change which has been caused by the same people who imposed illegal sanctions on us,” said Cde Khaya Moyo.
“We might of course as usual receive whatever assistance from Red Cross for our people. But let me say if the rains do come, our people have no problem because they are hard working. They will be able to till their land and produce the food.”
Cde Khaya Moyo said rains had been erratic in the past three years mainly due to climate change.
This, he said, resulted in the country harvesting inadequate food.
Cde Khaya Moyo expressed gratitude to Red Cross for its assistance to various communities.
He hailed the organisation for remaining apolitical in the discharge of its duties.
Cde Khaya-Moyo updated Mr L’Hôte on the political processes in the country.
He said after the referendum on the new constitution, the country would head for harmonised elections which he promised would be peaceful.
Mr L’Hôte said Red Cross’ intervention in Zimbabwe had been made possible by the Government’s support.
Red Cross has made several interventions in the country through food aid, curbing disaster outbreaks and assisting during disasters.
The organisation is giving food aid through Japanese funding in Mashonaland West, Midlands, Masvingo, Manicaland and Mashonaland Central.
Red Cross is also assisting orphans by providing water and sanitation facilities.