Joseph MadzimureZimpapers Politics Hub

ZANU PF Harare province is geared for this year’s 23rd National People’s Conference, set for this week, with high expectations that the party’s constitution will be aligned with the national constitution.

ZANU PF Harare provincial chairman Cde Godwills Masimirembwa said it’s all system go for the conference

“We have mobilised enough resources as required by the party to feed the delegates at the conference,” he said.

“Our members who are going to the conference have already been accredited, and they are rearing to go.

“The delegates are eager to debate and contribute to issues which might arise at the conference.”

Turning to their draft resolutions, Cde Masimirembwa highlighted that Harare province expects all provinces to endorse a resolution at the forthcoming National People’s Conference in Chinhoyi calling for the party constitution to be aligned with the national constitution.

“In other words, the leadership cycle be increased from five years to seven years in respect of the presidency of the party.

“Secondly, that the National Congress, which is due in 2027, be postponed to 2030. Thirdly, that, consistent with that postponement, President Mnangagwa remains party President and First Secretary until 2030, when Congress will be held,” said Cde Masimirembwa.

The province, he said, unequivocally endorsed President and First Secretary Cde Mnangagwa as the party’s preferred candidate for election as First Secretary and President of Zanu PF at the next party congress in 2030.

He said the province’s expectation is that President Mnangagwa remain the President of this country beyond 2030.

“Now, the critical resolutions are around the alignment of the party constitution to the national constitution and the consequences thereof: that the captain of the ship, the captain of ZANU-PF, remains President Mnangagwa beyond 2030. The rest of the resolutions will then fall into place,” he stated.

The rest of the resolutions, for Harare province, he said, were centred around economic development, service delivery by the local authority, and the issuance of title deeds to residents of Harare.

Harare residents, Cde Masimirembwa said, are particularly concerned about water supply, a properly functioning sewer system, pothole repairs, and the maintenance of roads throughout the metropolitan province.

He said the focus should be on placing greater emphasis on local government performance.

“What we are seeing at the moment is the local authority hiding behind the national government’s intervention in its affairs to excuse its failure to deliver services. Moving forward, we want the government to hold local authorities—particularly Harare—accountable and ensure they perform, so that we can realise the promise of an upper-middle-income economy.

“That vision is already being advanced, primarily by the national government under the leadership of President Mnangagwa.”

Cde Masimirembwa confirmed that the party structures are intact.

“Well, the party is united. We are doing very well in Harare province as we authenticate ourselves through the digitisation program that is going on,” he stated.

A number of new members, he confirmed, are coming to the party.

“We are also very happy with new members who are coming to the party; our affiliates are bringing in new members,” he said.

Harare Province boasts a membership of 600 000, comprising both digitised and newly enrolled members.