Sunday Mail Reporter
Zanu-PF national chairman Ambassador Simon Khaya Moyo has called on all party leaders to gear up for national elections scheduled for later this year, saying the plebiscite will determine the survival of the party.

Speaking at a one-day political education workshop organised by the national commissariat in conjunction with the international department of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in Harare yesterday, Ambassador Khaya Moyo said Zanu-PF should aim for victory.

“The party is already in an election mood and our party leaders at all levels must gear themselves for this important mission,” he said.
“The forthcoming elections are crucial for us as a party and as a nation as they will determine the survival and continuation of our revolution. “Our sovereignty is under threat and, as a revolutionary party, we have no choice but to aim for total victory.”

Ambassador Khaya Moyo fired a broadside at leaders who fan factionalism and corruption, saying they should leave the party.
“The evils of corruption, imposition of candidates, vote-buying and other negative vices, which harm the party’s integrity and image, should be addressed.

“We all belong to Zanu-PF and not a certain leader. If you want to belong to a person, then you should leave us alone. Who are you to destroy the revolutionary party? Our constitution does not have a provision for factionalism and, therefore, it should be stopped at all costs.” Party leaders from Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland West and Harare attended the workshop, which was addressed by a group of CCP experts.

Addressing the delegates, the head of the Chinese delegation, Professor Wu Shumin, who is also the director-general of the CCP centre for international exchanges, said senior party cadres are key components of any successful revolution. “At the CCP, we have accepted that senior party cadres are the greatest treasure any political organisation can have. Without their arduous struggle, China would not be where it is today,” he said. Zanu-PF national political commissar Cde Webster Shamu weighed in, saying Zimbabweans should follow the path set out by President Mugabe in the same way the Chinese religiously follow the teachings of Cde Mao.

“In Zimbabwe, all political education, which encompasses empowerment and independence, should come from our leader, President Mugabe,” said Cde Shamu, who is also the Minister of Media, Information and Publicity.
“We should copy from the Chinese, who, up to today, still follow the teachings of Cde Mao, decades after his death.”