adminTichaona Zindoga Harare Bureau
TEMPERATURES in the resort town of Victoria Falls may be soaring but tempers at the on-going 15th Zanu-PF National People’s Conference are remarkably cool. Ahead of the annual meeting, some sections of the local and international media went into overdrive speculating about imagined fights that were set to play out in the open between rival factions.
The so-called independent media have been enjoying squabbles and personality clashes in the ruling party and apparently also fanning the divisions – and they brought out their seats and snacks to watch imagined drama unfold in Victoria Falls.
The ruling party’s conferences are meant to take stock of the progress of the year but the media appeared to seek to raise the stakes, suggesting there could be earth shattering decisions that are typical of congress which is elective and held once in four years.
There were reports about the bussing in of youths to disrupt and boo speakers.
However, there was no blood on the floor, with President Robert Mugabe, who is the party’s first secretary, officially opening the indaba.
Delegates expressed happiness with events of yesterday and the mood at the conference.
They also praised President Mugabe’s commandeering of the party ship towards unity.
“There is peace on the floor,” said a Mashonaland East delegate, Professor Charity Manyeruke who is also the chair of the Political Science department at the University of Zimbabwe.
“So far Zanu-PF is exhibiting its true character. It is a united party which always gets inspiration from the party leadership and specifically from its visionary President Mugabe.
“The organisation of this conference is unparalleled, no queues anywhere, it is peaceful and the atmosphere is good. The conference delegates are excited in support of their party. The President has emphasised that the party will not tolerate factionalism.
“The messages from the President and the entire leadership are all emphasising on unity and typical of the delegates, they seem to have taken heed of these words of wisdom,” she said.
The provincial party chairman for Mashonaland East, Cde Joel Biggie Matiza said: “We are doing our normal conference and it is not a war zone like what the opposition media sought to portray.
“President Mugabe made a good speech uniting people and encouraged us to focus on building the party.”
Politburo member Cde Tshinga Dube said he had not seen anything unbecoming and predicted that nothing would go out of hand.
“Newspapers sensationalise issues to sell newspapers. There wasn’t anything bad today and nothing will happen (today),” he said.
Cde Justice Zvandasara from Harare said yesterday’s events blindsided speculators.
“I want to give credit to President Mugabe. He has proved to be a seasoned politician and he just proved that those wishing to see an implosion in the party are daydreaming and lying.
“It only takes a leader of his stature to put such nonsense behind,” he said.
Contradictions will always be there in organisations and even so big institutions like Zanu-PF, said the ruling party’s secretary for a youth affairs.
“Zanu-PF has the machinery for resolving those issues. We get worried when mistrust develop into antagonism but we are fortunate to have President Mugabe who is the master craftsman in fostering unity. When things threaten to go out of hand, he quickly picks it up and give us direction.
“Loyalty that everyone has for him makes it easy for people to be given direction,” said he.
Cde Tapiwa Chitate, a Mashonaland West provincial member, said the conference set the tone for party unity and preparations for the 2018 general elections.
Online Reporter