Zanu-PF DCC elections set for next month

DCC elections are held after every two years and were supposed to be held last year, but were postponed due to other commitments.
In an interview yesterday, Zanu-PF spokesperson Cde Rugare Gumbo said the party would also hold provincial elections that always precede its congress. He said dates for provincial elections were yet to be set.
Zanu-PF held its last Congress in 2008 and the next one is scheduled for 2013.

“We are going to have elections for DCC structures countrywide on January 14 and 15, 2012,” said Cde Gumbo.
“Our political commissar (Cde We-bster Shamu) said we should have those elections next January.
“DCCs are important in that they will be responsible for the mobilisation of people ahead of elections.”
Cde Gumbo said dates for primary elections would only be announced after completion of the constitution making process.

“The party’s annual conference in Bulawayo came up with a number of resolutions,” he said.
“We resolved that we should have elections next year to end this unholy marriage. We agreed that there should be no imposition of candidates in party structures or parliamentary positions.

“We will have our primary elections after the completion of the constitution making process because we need clarity on those major benchmarks agreed in the Global Political Agreement.”
As the party prepares for the impending elections, Cde Gumbo said Zanu-PF was focusing on people oriented policies.

He said the party had resolved to dwell on developmental issues, particularly economic empowerment of ordinary people.
“We have a clear programme for the party as we prepare for elections,” said Cde Gumbo.
“Top on our agenda is to defend the country’s independence and sovereignty. It is the duty of every patriotic Zimbabwean to defend the country from machinations of neo-colonialism.”

Cde Gumbo said Zanu-PF was prioritising economic turn around after a decade of sanctions induced economic meltdown.
He said there was need to recapitalise the manufacturing sector and promote investment.

Cde Gumbo said there should be a win-win situation between investors and the country through indigenisation. To ensure sustainable development, Cde Gumbo said there should be unity of purpose among Zimbabweans.

“Unity is paramount if the country is to move forward. Leaders should foster spirit of unity among our people because there is no way we can talk about development when people are divided,” he said.