adminProvincial chairperson, Cde Ray Kaukonde, said the legislators and councillors from the province had served the party diligently in the last five years.
He made the remarks at the launch of Mashonaland East women’s day commemorations organised by the Zanu-PF leadership at Dema growth point on Friday where he urged aspiring legislators and councillors to respect incumbents when campaigning. Cde Kaukonde said the provincial leadership would tour all constituencies and wards held by party officials to get feedback from the electorate on what they think about their performance during the tenure of the inclusive Government.
“If the people say they want the incumbent to be replaced then we will help them exit graciously. We will set a fund to assist those sitting legislators and councillors who would have failed to retain their seats at the primary elections. The provincial leadership led by Cde Sydney Sekeramayi will help them with money or inputs because most of them have farms. These people have sacrificed a lot because sometimes they had to use their money for party activities.
“In fact, our people should understand that the party is not only represented in Parliament or local authorities but there are other structures where it can be represented. We have provincial elections coming soon so they can still serve the party from its structures. Some of us maybe we won’t contest at those provincial elections. We have done our best over the years, so it might be the best time to call it a day and pave away for others,” said Cde Kaukonde.
He hailed female legislators and councillors from the party whom he said had not been tainted or accused of corruption. All aspiring MPs and councillors who defied party rules would be disciplined.
In her address, Women’s Affairs, Gender and Community Development Minister Olivia Muchena said the Constitutional Bill that was passed by the House of Assembly last week upheld the values and practice of peace and unity.
“Peace begins in the home with each family member doing their part, hence peace begins with me, peace begins with you and peace begins with all of us,” she said.
Minister Muchena said globally, statistics indicated that violence against women and girls was a universal phenomenon regardless of income, class or culture. She said violence against women and girls manifested themselves through rape, early and forced marriage and sexual harassment.
Online Reporter