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Harare Bureau
ZANU-PF provincial chairpersons have welcomed President Robert Mugabe’s announcement that provincial chairpersons are the ultimate authority in their respective areas, saying he had made their jobs easier.
Speaking at Rudhaka Stadium in Marondera during celebrations for his 90th birthday, President Mugabe warned Politburo and Central Committee members from abusing their seniority by imposing themselves on the provincial structures.
This came amid reports that some senior party officials usurped the powers of provincial executives by declaring themselves senior party leaders, with some going to the extent of chairing Provincial Coordination Committee meetings.
It is not uncommon to find these “senior party leaders” sitting at the top table at such meetings.
“The chairman is the party’s point man in the provinces. Provincial chairman are the most senior people in their respective provinces,” President Mugabe said.
He went on: “The chairpersons of provinces, provincial councils, are the leaders of the provinces not members of the Politburo, not members of the Central Committee.
“That has to be learned, understood by members of the Politburo and Central Committee who are over ambitious. We will have the respect of the provinces by virtue of the fact that we belong to a top organ, that of the Central Committee with its executive, the Politburo, and it is that which gives us the respect that should come from the provinces, but it is not right that we impose ourselves on our provinces.”
During his interview with the ZBC to mark his 90th birthday, President Mugabe also condemned Politburo and Central Committee members who had turned themselves into godfathers in their respective provinces.
He said officials in national leadership position had no business interfering with provinces, adding the party’s constitution was clear on the separation of roles.
Zanu-PF provincial chairpersons yesterday welcomed the President’s position saying it would make their jobs easier.
Matabeleland North provincial chairperson Cde Richard Moyo said: “The statement by the President is most welcome as it would help chairpersons to do their work without undue influence.
“It was difficult for some chairpersons to do their work properly but I believe after that statement by the President our work will become easier.”
His counterpart from Masvingo, Cde Kallisto Gwanetsa, said the President’s call would ensure discipline within the party.
“What he said is most welcome. We have not experienced any problems in Masvingo and I’ve a cordial working relationship with my superiors as reflected by our performance in the July 31 elections,” he said. “What’s important at the end of the day is that we all respect each other in our various roles and maintain discipline in the party.
“I personally consider those people in the National Consultative Assembly, the Central Committee and the Politburo as consultants, so in a nutshell what the President said will enhance unity in the party.”
Bulawayo Province chairman Cde Callistus Ndlovu concurred saying what President Mugabe said would ensure that provincial chairpersons take responsibility.
“The President is right, the chairman should take responsibility for the province and ensure effective management of the province’s affairs. This would ensure that party programmes are implemented without undue influence from outsiders,” Cde Ndlovu said.
Mashonaland East chairperson Cde Ray Kaukonde said while the President’s statement was welcome his executive had a good working relationship with cadres in the national leadership positions.
“In Mashonaland East, we had no problems. In fact we would assign them to do certain duties for us while they also assisted us in policy-making,” Cde Kaukonde said.
“All the Central Committee and Politburo members know that they work under the provincial leadership and we had had no problems because of that.”
Harare provincial chairman Cde Amos Midzi refused to comment on the matter.
Matabeleland South chairman Cde Andrew Langa and his counterparts in the Midlands, Mashonaland West and Mashonaland Central – Cdes Jaison Machaya, Temba Mliswa and Luke Mushore could not be reached for comment as their mobile phones were continuously not reachable.
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