adminAddressing party members during the meeting, Zanu-PF National Secretary for Economic Affairs Cde
Obert Mpofu said the revolutionary party was confident of winning all the seats in the forthcoming polls and challenged party members to improve their campaign strategies.
President Mugabe has said the elections would be held at the end of March next year.
“We are heading towards a very difficult time. As we speak our enemies, the MDC formations, are on the ground and you know what they are saying. They are shaking in fear and making a lot of allegations against us,” said Cde Mpofu who is also the MP for Umguza constituency and Minister of Mines and Mining Development.
“There is no time to waste from now onwards. No time to be pointing fingers at each other and blaming each other. Let us work together to lift the name of the party up and bring people to the party.
“I have been holding meetings and rallies in most parts of the province such as Hwange, Victoria Falls and the support we have is massive. Ordinary people, chiefs, councillors from the MDC formations and their MPs are attending our meetings. Their councillors commend our policies and have pledged to support the party.”
Cde Mpofu said Zanu-PF’s empowerment policies have propelled the party and restored people’s confidence in the revolutionary party.
“The MDCs are in a serious crisis in Matabeleland. People confess that the parties have virtually done nothing for them and are willing to come back to us. Recently we had their MP for Hwange Central, Mr Brian Tshuma coming to attend our rally.
“The chiefs have also advised us not to impose candidates but to let people choose their leaders in primary elections. I can tell you confidently that Zanu-PF will sweep all seats in Hwange and Victoria Falls. We are also expanding our mobilisation efforts to Binga, Bubi, Lupane and Nkayi. As long as we work together nothing can stop us from victory,” said Cde Mpofu drawing thunderous applause from party members.
He castigated factionalism tendencies within the party and urged members to shun it.
“Factionalism is a primitive thing and there is no need to talk about it. I joined the party alone and I owe my allegiance to the party and not to any individual. After addressing people I go straight to my home and not to anyone,” said Cde Mpofu.
“If someone tells me about factionalism I will tell you ukuthi ulilema (you are mad). We have a lot of work to do than concentrate on minor issues. Some people have even told the media to deny me coverage because they think that makes me popular.
“Some are bent on analysing every statement that I make. I do not care about that. They enjoy seeing Matabeleland North lagging behind and that is painful to me.”
Acting provincial chairperson Cde Thokozile Mathuthu also urged party members to remain united and work harder to promote the growth of the party.
“Zanu-PF will be there for future generations. Let us not focus on the individual but work for the collective good of the party. We are also grateful for the work that Cde Mpofu has done,” she said.
Meanwhile, during the open discussion party members said the party was registering growth despite the dissolution of District Coordinating Committees (DCCs).
They vowed to double their outreach efforts in the cells and branches of the party.
Others urged senior party leaders to visit remote areas and address rallies there in order to give hope to communities.
The party members also took turns to pile praises on Cde Mpofu before a huge crowd that included Nkayi North MP Cde Sithembiso Nyoni and her counterpart in Bubi, Cde Clifford Sibanda and provincial commissar Cde Jonathan Nkanyezi.
They said Cde Mpofu was a humble leader who was always visible and goes around meeting people in the communities.
Others said Cde Mpofu is sensitive to people’s needs and commended him for giving them food aid at a time when they were facing drought.
Online Reporter