Online Reporter
Samuel Kadungure
News Editor
ZANU PF Manicaland successfully held the National Cell Day at more than 95 percent of its centres in the province, which saw even new members and returnees being registered separately.
The exercise helps authenticate the party’s grassroots membership, paving the way for a comprehensive and automated database of the provincial membership.
The ruling party is reassessing its cells to eliminate dubious structures that could disenfranchise thousands of party supporters and stakeholders in the province.
The verification exercise took place yesterday, with verified registers expected to be forwarded to the party districts, provinces and national headquarters by next week.
The day focused on strengthening grassroots structures through intensified membership recruitment and the verification and updating of the party’s database.
Presidential Special Advisor, Dr Paul Tungwarara, attended the Rusununguko Branch, in Ward 6, at Gaza Primary in Chipinge Central.
Dr Tungwarara made a low-key arrival accompanied by ZANU PF Provincial Chairman Cde Tawanda Mukodza and Chipinge District Coordinating Committee Chairman Cde Temba Munayiwa.
Cde Mukodza hailed party members for setting aside their busy schedule to prioritise the calendar event.
“The turnout was very encouraging, and those who did not turn up had genuine reasons like attending funerals or going to work. This is an important event which has helped us to gauge the grassroots support base, and the attendance has once again proved that ZANU PF is a colossal party, whose support base is increasing with each passing day,” he said.
Cde Mukodza said the party will utilise the cell registers as polling station voters’ rolls, making the exercise extremely crucial. He also described the cell and village structures as the vanguard of the party, representing its interests and aspirations at the grassroots level.
“We have witnessed significant progress in some areas, as individuals previously left out have been incorporated into the party cells, thereby expanding the party’s membership. Our numbers are increasing, the party is growing, and new members are joining. I can confidently guarantee that, in the event of any elections, we will decisively triumph over the opposition throughout the province.
“I had an opportunity to randomly visit centres in Mutasa, Mutare, Makoni before attending my cell here in Chipinge. What I can tell you is our support base is strong and active, the people need their party. We have new members and returnees who were registered at various centres across the country, which shows the strength and growth of the party in the province,” said Cde Mukodza.
Cde Tungwarara said the cell verification was critical for the party to know its membership.
“Yes, I attended the cell verification at Rusununguko Branch, Ward 6, at Gaza Primary School in Chipinge. The turnout was excellent, as people had time to come and have their names verified despite having a funeral nearby. This is a very important exercise for the party, helping to identify the actual grassroots support base for ZANU PF.
“These are the people that vote for the party, these are the people that participate in the election of the party leadership, so it is imperative that they meet, talk, exchange ideas and shape the future direction of their party. It is clear that the people love their party, they love their President, and I am sure we have more new members who attended,” said Dr Tungwarara.
