Online Reporter
ZANU-PF has wrapped up its year with a series of high-level meetings — the Politburo, Central Committee, and the National Consultative Assembly — held last week.
Zimpapers’ Senior Politics Hub Writer Joseph Madzimure (JM) caught up with Zanu-PF National Political Commissar, Cde Munyaradzi Machacha (MM), for an overview of the state of the party and its direction moving into the New Year.
JM: From your own assessment, what was the overall performance of the party in 2025?
MM: Zanu-PF had a highly successful year, winning 26 out of 27 Local Government by-elections and securing victory in all three parliamentary by-elections.
We successfully completed our cell-restructuring programme and are now moving on to data capturing and computerisation initiatives.
Our party structures were effective, and we maintained a strong presence across all 10 provinces. Zanu-PF is poised for continued growth, aiming to re-establish a one-party state as we anticipate the emergence of opposition politics.
We had a good year in that all our party structures were functioning very well.
JM: How was the mood among party members during the course of the year?
MM: The atmosphere within the party in 2025 was filled with joy. Members were not only happy but also actively engaged in various activities and mobilisation programmes with great enthusiasm.
JM: What is at stake for the year 2026?
MM: As we approach the New Year, we anticipate maintaining our positive momentum and continuing our winning streak. Our objective is to further strengthen our party.
JM: Can you mention some of the achievements scored in 2025?
MM: In 2025, we witnessed a significant defection of members from the opposition back to the Zanu-PF party. This trend has become almost weekly, with individuals citing their initial hopes for change, particularly in infrastructure development, road rehabilitation, dam construction, and the restoration of power stations such as Hwange.
These former opposition members now observe the Government, led by President Mnangagwa, actively implementing the changes they desire. They question why they should remain in the opposition when the Zimbabwean economy is stabilising, inflation is declining, and shops are stocked with locally made goods.
President Mnangagwa has emphasised that Zanu-PF is a party for all, pledging to leave no one behind. Many opposition members now realise that if they don’t join Zanu-PF and participate in nation-building and empowerment initiatives offered by the Government, they risk being left out due to their own short-sightedness. As a result, they are increasingly returning to our party.
JM: According to your database, how many returnees joined the party?
MM: This year alone, we have welcomed around 187 000 people back to the party, in addition to the previous 250 000. This marks a significant shift away from ineffective opposition politics towards the empowering, development-focused agenda of Zanu-PF.
We take great pride in this achievement, largely due to President Mnangagwa’s astute leadership and skilful management of governance and economic challenges. As we launch NDS2 for 2026, we expect the trends of economic growth, modernisation, and industrialisation established in NDS1 to continue. We are confident that our economy will keep growing, enhancing the welfare and livelihoods of our citizens.
JM: I understand you introduced the “Fishers of Men Strategy.” How effective is it to the party in terms of mobilisation?
MM: The Fishers of Men programme is benefiting the party by empowering every member with the responsibility for mobilisation and recruitment of new members. With our large numbers as Zanu-PF members, if each of us brings in at least one new member annually, it could lead to significant growth for the party in just one year. We are actively encouraging our members to engage in this initiative and providing guidance on how to approach fellow Zimbabwean citizens about joining our party.
JM: Since you said the party has completed setting up cell/village structures this year, are we going to have a branch, district, District Co-ordinating Committee (DCC), and provincial elections next year? What is the plan?
MM: We are actively working on the task and developing our work plan for 2026.
We will share details once it is finalised and approved by the party leadership. However, we anticipate a significant amount of activity in 2026.
JM: Any challenges faced by the party during the year 2025?
MM: I don’t discuss challenges; they serve to motivate us to improve. Instead, I focus on progress and opportunities, which were abundant in 2025.
JM: Your message to party members going forward.
MM: To our party members, I urge you to remain united and focused on implementing our party programmes as directed by President Mnangagwa.
It is essential that we stay committed to the resolutions passed at the last National People’s Conference in Mutare. We must ensure that our party structures exercise their supremacy over the Government, supervising the implementation of our initiatives to deliver quality lifestyles to our people. Let us work together, so that the benefits of supporting our cause are clear to everyone.
JM: Are you certain that the resolutions endorsed by the conference in Mutare will be implemented before we go for the next conference?
MM: Why not? We have the capacity, and already the resolutions have been passed through various Government ministries and departments, including, of course, Resolution No 1.
We are working on it to make sure as we go to the next National People’s Conference, we can proudly report progress on each of those resolutions.
JM: I understand that Zanu-PF has won most of the by-elections conducted across the country, and the party is contesting in the Nkulumane by-election. What will be the likely outcome?
MM: We are on a successful path and committed to sustaining our achievements.
At this moment, everything is unfolding as planned. Our teams are actively mobilising in Nkulumane, engaging voters to highlight the benefits of supporting Zanu-PF.
Choosing a Zanu-PF Member of Parliament to represent Nkulumane will unlock numerous advantages for the community. This includes essential road repairs and improvements in water supply, among many other benefits. We strongly urge the people of Nkulumane to give Zanu-PF a chance. By voting for the Zanu-PF candidate, they can experience meaningful change in their daily lives and witness their community thrive.
