Zanu-PF endorses elections

Tendai Mugabe Senior Reporter
Zanu-PF has endorsed the results of provincial executive elections held in seven provinces at the weekend, declaring them free and fair, despite objections from some contestants. This followed presentation of reports to the Politburo yesterday by team leaders deployed by the party to supervise the polls which adjudged them as a true reflection of the will of party members in the provinces.

Three candidates Cdes Philemon Mutongi (Mashonaland East), Ailes Baloyi (Masvingo) and Killian Sibanda (Bulawayo) contested the outcome of the polls, alleging irregularities and the use of inappropriate registers in the voting process.

The elections were won by Cde Temba Mliswa in Mashonaland West, Cde Amos Midzi (Harare), Professor Callistus Ndlovu (Bulawayo), Cde Ray Kaukonde (Mashonaland East), Cde Andrew Langa (Matabeleland South), Cde Richard Moyo (Matabeleland North) and Cde Callisto Gwanetsa (Masvingo).

Midlands, Manicaland and Mashonaland Central provinces held their elections last month. Briefing journalists after the Politburo meeting, spokesperson Cde Rugare Gumbo said the provincial elections went on well.

He said the party’s national chairman Cde Simon Khaya Moyo presented a report on the outcome of the elections after which he called on individual team leaders to present their reports.

“We confirmed the results of the seven provincial elections held last Saturday,” he said. “It was agreed that the process was smooth, orderly and credible and we were all positive about the outcome.”

Cde Gumbo said the results of the election were a reflection of people’s confidence in the new leadership. He dismissed reports that the elections were marred by violence in some areas and described such reports as a sensational media creation.

Cde Gumbo said President Mugabe in his remarks, urged Politburo members to be more focused and commit their efforts towards strengthening the party.

“The President emphasised that people should know the history of the party and do their best to learn from the history of the party,” he said.

“He said we must build the party through education and continuous training of people.”
Cde Gumbo said the Politburo discussed preparations for the party’s annual Annual National People’s Conference that starts on Tuesday in Chinhoyi.

Although the final programme of the conference is not yet published, Cde Gumbo said proceedings would start with a Politburo meeting in Harare.

“It will then be followed by a Central Committee meeting the following day,” he said. “Thursday is a Tree Planting Day by the President at the venue of the conference.”

The conference is expected to come up with strategies on how the party would operationalise its economic blueprint, Zim Asset, which will steer economic revival efforts till 2018.

Zim Asset was adopted by Zanu-PF to revive the economy following its crushing victory in the July 31 harmonised elections.