Zanu PF ‘a people’s project’

Ray Bande in CHIPINGE

SERVING the ruling Zanu PF party is not about positions of leadership, self-aggrandisement, or search for petty personal glory but a call to defend the gains of the liberation struggle, a senior party official has said.

Addressing attendees at a voter mobilisation Women’s League gathering at Tanganda Halt yesterday, Zanu PF Women’s League Secretary for Administration Cde Monica Mutsvangwa reminded those in positions of authority that serving the interests of the party should come first.

“Why would an individual come to Zanu PF for petty personal interests? Zanu PF is about defending the sovereignty of our country. Some of us are not in these positions for personal aggrandisement. We are here to defend the gains of the liberation struggle. This should be the hallmark of leadership in Zanu PF,” she said.

Cde Mutsvangwa urged the thousands of party cadres who gathered for the event to avoid being used by misguided elements within the party.

“Please, let me warn you against being used by people with petty personal interests to safeguard. This is a people’s project and we should be there to serve the people,” she said.

Cde Mutsvangwa, who is also the Minister of Publicity, Information, and Broadcasting Services, urged party cadres in positions of leadership to preach the gospel of unity in Zanu PF.

“Leaders, especially in the national structure, should preach unity. When you see a national member spreading division, then they have ceased to serve what they were elected or appointed for,” said Cde Mutsvangwa.

In his speech during the same occasion, Zanu-PF Manicaland chairman Cde Tawanda Mukodza urged cadres to remain disciplined going into this year’s elections.

“I really want to call upon party cadres to uphold discipline in the party. We will not tolerate indiscipline this time around. I am warning those that are normally sent to disturb party meetings and processes. I also want to remind cadres that meetings are not called in people’s homes where they buy people beer. No, that is not it. Party protocols are clear on how messages are passed on relating to meetings and other processes. Being forewarned is being forearmed,” said Cde Mukodza.

Zanu PF Women’s League chairperson for Manicaland Cde Happiness Nyakuedzwa urged voters to take women seriously in the forthcoming general elections.

“This is no longer time for bickering. Our agenda, for now, is to make sure that President Mnangagwa wins elections. We also need to make sure this time around that we put women into positions of authority. We have seen how women perform each time they are in authority and that is the reason we need to take them seriously getting into the general elections.

“I have heard that we only have two ruling party candidates in council.

“That is unacceptable. Let us ensure we turn the tide in this forthcoming election.

“The same with the Members of the House of Assembly,” she said.

Yesterday’s gathering comes at a time when the ruling party is oiling its machinery ahead of the harmonised elections.