Online Reporter
Zvamaida Murwira, Harare Bureau
THE ruling party, Zanu-PF, does not tolerate inefficiency, waste and bureaucracy within its own ranks and in Government, as Zimbabwe pushes ahead to meet its ambitious target to establish an empowered, prosperous and highly developed country by 2030, President Mnangagwa has warned.
Speaking in Gweru at a strategic seminar attended by members of the party’s Central Committee on Friday, President Mnangagwa, who is also Zanu-PF’s First Secretary, said performance and internal discipline were central to the party’s political survival.
He said mediocrity threatened both governance outcomes and public confidence.
“Zanu-PF remains a party of results. We have zero tolerance to corruption, complacency, mediocrity and outright negligence.
“Going forward, tendencies to gloss over or even to conceal inefficiencies, both within the party and Government, are not acceptable. Nothing must undermine the attainment of Vision 2030,” said President Mnangagwa.
“As leaders, we must, therefore, be at the forefront of exposing corruption, wastefulness and bureaucratic shortcomings.”
The media, said President Mnangagwa, must be used to promote unity of purpose and not advance self-serving interests.
“Issues such as the impact of media plurality and technology on our body politic, among other matters, should be accordingly dissected.
“In this context, we must proffer actionable recommendations on how we grow our membership by age, gender, sector, professions and so on.
“The identity, ideology, ethos and character of the party should never change. However, our strategies on growing the membership and winning the hearts and minds of the people must be fluid, innovative and forward-looking.
“Let us quickly embrace and fully utilise new media to occupy the space and publicise the work and successes of our party, challenge us to use the media to promote unity of purpose around our shared national vision and not as a tool for egos, as well as opportunistic and self-seeking behaviour,” said President Mnangagwa.
“We are custodians of party discipline, guardians of ideological consistency and standard-bearers of collective leadership.
“As such, our strategic seminar must enrich us with the requisite skills, knowledge and orientation to effectively discharge our duties.
“In doing so, it is critically important that we reflect on our role, in the context of the new complexities affecting party mobilisation and organisation, such as the youth demographic and shifting socio-economic patterns in our communities.”
He said there was need to revive standing committees of the Central Committee, which will help to swiftly deal with some shortcomings in the party.
“The revitalisation of the standing committees of Central Committee is long overdue. I expect that this seminar will recommend strategies to guarantee the functionality, effectiveness and sustainability of our standing committees.
“May I reiterate that the Central Committee is the backbone of our revolutionary mass party, Zanu-PF.
“Our strength lies in upholding the provisions of the party constitution, demonstrating ideological maturity, discipline and collective leadership,” he added.
“It is my expectation that this result-driven seminar will see the party emerge with a re-calibrated leadership, which is disciplined and knowledgeable of our constitution, innovative and ready to provide timely guidance to the membership, informed by the party constitution, correct party line and evidence-based facts.”
The workshop, said President Mnangagwa, should make Central Committee members strategically minded and result-oriented, with focus on development that puts the people at the centre of all activities.
He said the seminar should leave cadres ethically upright, humble, respectful of all structures and uncompromising on honesty and integrity.
“The Central Committee must also demonstrate enhanced capability of oversight, supervision and support of Government programmes in line with the party constitution, policies, directives and resolutions.
“Let us, through such forums, endeavour to be better equipped to serve our revolutionary party and Government with unwavering loyalty, patriotism and dedication.”
The seminar was convened by the party’s Secretary-General, Advocate Jacob Mudenda.
Giving an overview of the seminar on Thursday, Adv Mudenda said in terms of the party constitution, the Central Committee is the principal policy and regulation-making organ between Congress.
He said the policies and regulations formulated by the Central Committee guide the implementation of party programmes across all levels.
“As leaders, you are, therefore, expected to demonstrate anticipatory leadership, ensuring that programmes collectively approved by the Central Committee are translated into concrete outcomes that positively improve the livelihoods of the citizenry, including party members,” said Adv Mudenda.
“The Central Committee, as a collective, must demonstrate resolute and decisive leadership; leadership that is firmly committed to the diligent and disciplined implementation of agreed programmes.
“To this end, members are expected to exhibit principled leadership, ensuring that party programmes are executed consistently and without fear or favour across all party structures. This calls for bold, determined and courageous leadership, characterised by constant supervision and oversight.”
The seminar was attended by First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa, Vice-President Cde Kembo Mohadi, national chairperson Cde Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, among other senior party members.
