The Sunday Mail
President Mugabe acknowledges members of Zanu-PF after addressing the National Youth Assembly at the party headquarters in Harare yesterday
Levi Mukarati – Deputy News Editor
President Mugabe will not tolerate people who tarnish Zanu-PF by using its name to further their personal interests through corrupt activities.
Addressing anu-PF’s Youth League National Assembly at the party’s headquarters yesterday, the President said some people were abusing their positions to promote graft.
“There are some amongst us who are corrupt. Corruption is not just in Zimbabwe, but in Africa. Everywhere, there is corruption, corruption, corruption . . . With less business opportunities in the country there is a far better room for corruption, there is far better room for crime,” he said.
“We have quite a number of bank scams. Those in the banking sector (have been) helping themselves to the deposits of the clients. Sometimes they do it in the hope that as time goes on they will repay, but alas that is usually not the case and they fail to return the deposits they would have shared amongst themselves and the bank becomes illiquid.
“We have subscriptions, they are meant to come to the party and not to be shared amongst some people, no. The positions you have been given are because of the confidence of the people. You have not been given (the positions) to abuse them, to benefit yourself.
“Don’t go and say there is a fund that has been created by (Vice-President Emmerson) Mnangagwa and everyone should contribute US$5 apa Mnangagwa haana kumbodaro; to (go to people and) say the President and First Lady vati vanoda mari. You spoil your name and in the process spoil the name of the party.
“The thuggery you have been doing, you have not been sent by anyone. Some leaders claim the President has said this piece of land should be given to so and so. We know what is happening, no, no, no.”
In an earlier briefing with youth leaders, President Mugabe spoke on the arrest of suspended Zanu-PF Harare Provincial Youth League chair Godwin Gomwe.
Cde Gomwe and his accomplices allegedly abused the First Lady’s name to extort home-seekers and other people of US$46 000.
“We want you to be good leaders, honest leaders. Idya cheziya. Don’t take advantage of the people. Don’t use the names of the leaders to cheat the people and rob them of their property.
“‘Izvi ndizvo zvatanzi tiite naPresident; tiite naVice-President; tiite naMinister’ – zvese zviri zvenhema. Mumwe wenyu ndizvo zvakamusungisa. We wish him well. Apfidza. But you don’t improve yourself by hanging yourself.
“You don’t go to Heaven by hanging. Don’t spill your own blood. Ivo VaDhara vekumusoro uko vakati tivepo, iwe woti haudi kuti uvepo; unoti kudiiko kana Vakubvunza? It is also cowardice in that situation. Ehe, punishment will come your way, but you don’t resolve it that way.’’
On youths’ request for land, the President lamented farm underutilisation and pointed out that some farmers were holding on to properties for prestige.
He urged young people to diversify economic interests, adding that Government was working with different countries to ensure broad empowerment.
“We give land not for prestigious purposes, but for economic purposes,” he said.
In his main address, the President said Zanu-PF needed responsible and disciplined leaders whose ambition was to develop Zimbabwe.
He added that it was imperative to have morally empowered youths for an economically empowered society.
President Mugabe said discipline would help party members understand the importance of subjecting themselves to Zanu-PF’s ideologically structured rules.
“We always believe the party is more important than an individual. I am what the people have made me. No one should say he is greater than the party. We have our effectiveness and experiences and their worth to us is when we join the masses of Zanu-PF,” he said.
President Mugabe challenged youths to empower themselves through skills development so as to create jobs rather than waiting to be employed.
He said youths were Zimbabwe’s vanguard and should defend the country from any threats to its peace.
“You have the right to fight for your country. You don’t give up. Even if someone has come with money, don’t sacrifice principle on the altar of opportunities. You say get away with your money, my land comes first, I am fighting for my land. That is principle,” said the President.
“You should get a national consciousness, an awareness of the evils of imperialism, distinction between right and wrong, you stand by what is right.”
On the civic duty of voting, President Mugabe said party members should be educated on the importance of all electoral processes.
The President said Zanu-PF wanted to see clear structures in all provinces and the issue of restructuring should be practical
He appealed to young people to work towards successful implementation of the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation.
“Roll your sleeves and work towards the implementation of Zim-Asset. Develop the economy for Zimbabwe,” the President said.
At the same meeting, Zanu PF Youth League national chairperson Cde Pupurai Togarepi said corruption in the party and Government had reached worrying levels.
“As the Youth League we will deal with those from our wing decisively as we complement effort to rid our society of this unacceptable (corruption) scourge,” he said.
The meeting was meant to strategise implementation of various youth programmes.
Also in attended were VP Mnangagwa, party secretary for Administration Cde Ignatius Chombo and National Political Commissar Cde Saviour Kasukuwere.
