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Herald Correspondent
President Mnangagwa, who is on record emphasising unity in the governing Zanu PF party, recently warned members against employing means and methods that do not resemble party values to advance their selfish interests at the expense of the party.
The President made the remarks at last week’s 361st Session of Politburo ahead of the just-ended by-elections which Zanu PF retained seven National Assembly seats and wrestled two more from the opposition in Epworth and Mutasa South constituencies.
The President told Politburo members that “the party is bigger than all of us” adding that all activities by both office bearers and ordinary members should reflect the growth and strength of the party opposed to the pursuit of short sighted strategies that advance interests of cliques through empire building.
“All our activities henceforth, must further strengthen the party. There is no room for divisive tendencies, empire building and short sighted strategies that advance the interests of cliques,” the President said.
President Mnangagwa went on to reveal that in engagements with the people during the by-elections campaigns, in some cases, those among the party leadership were causing confusion against the general membership.
Those found on the wrong side, he said, risk falling by the wayside and that diverting from the party’s cardinal principles of unity, peace and non-violence will only yield consequences.
“The engagements with the people during these by-election campaigns have revealed that in some cases, it is those in the party leadership who are causing confusion among the general membership. The party is bigger than all of us and those found on the wrong side of the party line risk falling by the wayside.
“We are the dominant and only people’s party. Let us defend and uphold the democratic principles and values which is synonymous with ZANU PF.
“Our culture of unity, peace and non-violence must be respected throughout the rank and file of the Party,” President Mnangagwa added.
In January, President Mnangagwa relieved State Security Minister Owen Ncube from his post over allegations of diverting from the party’s democratic principles and values.
“People join our colossal party based on its principles, values, and norms. Acts of violence and political chicanery, sowing divisions will never be tolerated. The party’s revolutionary legacy and history must not be destroyed by anyone at any stage of our development,” President Mnangagwa said then.
Addressing the party’s Central Committee meeting ahead of the 19th National People’s Conference in October last year, President Mnangagwa said violence and chicanery had no place in the party.
“I want to reiterate that we are a united, disciplined and peaceful party. Violence, political chicanery and divisive elements have no place in our colossal party.
“Under the Second Republic, we will scale up programmes that enhance dialogue, social cohesion and national unity. We are indeed diverse but one people,” he said.
Also, in June 2015 as then Vice President, President Mnangagwa was also on record emphasising unity that Zanu-PF will not hesitate to fire members who transgress and fan disunity in the party.
“Zanu-PF will not hesitate to crack the whip whenever cases of indiscipline are detected within the party. The party will name and shame cadres who think they are more important than the party.
“In fact, no one is bigger than the party,” he said while addressing party supporters at St Mary’s Secondary School in Mutare.
Online Reporter