The Sunday Mail
Kuda Bwititi
Zanu-PF should take concrete steps to fulfil key aspirations of the people, President Emmmerson Mnangagwa has said.
In his foreword to the Central Committee Report tabled at Zanu-PF’s Extraordinary Congress on Friday, President Mnangagwa implored the ruling party to restore its basic principles.
“As you may all be aware, the electorate has high expectations, and it is important that the party and Government are seen and perceived to be taking concrete steps towards fulfilling the following key aspirations of our peoples:
“Maintaining the gains of reclaiming our land; ensuring land is utilised optimally; jobs, jobs, jobs; attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI); poverty eradication; addressing liquidity challenges; eradicating corruption; enhancing capability of security services to deal with any and all existing and emerging threats so as to create a stable and peaceful political environment; and re-engagement and normalisation of political and economic relations with all nations of the world.”
President Mnangagwa encouraged party members to forgive, unite and be tolerant.
“The Congress is coming right after some significant changes to our party.
“I would, therefore, want to appeal to all the delegates to embrace a spirit of forgiveness and unity as we chart our path into the future. We need to maintain peace and remain tolerant of each other.”
Regarding the performance of party departments, he said: “I applaud those departments that are doing well and urge them to keep on the good work and those that are lagging behind to self-introspect and quickly take corrective measures. Mediocrity no longer has a place in the both the party and Government.”
In its contribution to the report, the Administration Department said Zanu-PF’s 2018 election manifesto must be people-oriented.
“Developmental issues are key to winning elections. In 2013, certain promises were made, premised on economic emancipation of the people. To this end, it is important for the party to review the extent to which it has delivered on its promises and draw lessons from the introspection to inform the people’s manifesto.”
The Finance Department reported that the party raised US$9 million in 2017, part of the revenue coming from a State political parties’ grant of over US$3,8 million.
Other income came from fund-raising (US$3,2 million), donations (US$1,5 million), investments (about US$420 000) and membership cards (US$42 000).
Liabilities were more than US$21 million and the department resolved to explore innovative means of increasing revenue. The Commissariat was linking all party membership to cells via an initiative dubbed Musangano Kumacell/Danemutande/Uhlelolobulwembu.
“The ultimate goal is to create party cells around the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission-designated polling station-specific voter registration and voting centres. This method of mobilisation, campaign and monitoring of voters will enable the party to establish its membership that should enhance its chances of election victory.
“Membership statistics will be computed at ward, constituency and provincial levels that will, in turn, be consolidated into national statistics.”
The External Relations Department undertook to continue working with progressive parties worldwide in implementing Zimbabwe’s foreign policy.
On the other hand, the Information and Publicity Department reported that it will strengthen its structure through comprehensive Internet infrastructure; while the Department of Transport and Social Welfare said it had taken delivery of 48 vehicles and three buses in 2017.
Sixty-six more vehicles are to be registered by year-end and another fleet is expected in 2018.
The Economic Affairs Department underscored the need to take stock of Zim-Asset’s successes and shortcomings as the economic blueprint completes its term. The Women’s League said its members were registering to vote and it had implemented several developmental projects. In its report, the Youth League highlighted the factional operations of the Kudzanai Chipanga-led executive, which failed to address members’ concerns and slackened on voter mobilisation. The league pledged to help rehabilitate its backsliding members.
Further, the organ resolved to push for a full-scale investigation into how the US$10 million Empower Bank fund was utilised as its administration was linked to the G40 cabal.
The Education Department embarked on numerous initiatives to increase access to and quality of education; while the Department of Health, Child Welfare and the Elderly said it supported construction of new clinics and district hospitals.
A report on welfare of disabled and disadvantaged persons shows that the responsible department wants its constituency to be supported in order to vote next year. The department also advocated a quota in the National Assembly, Senate and councils, and funding for economic ventures.
The Gender and Culture Department requested increased funding to implement its heritage preservation programme of action. The Lands, Land Reform and Agriculture Department noted the success of the Presidential Well-Wishers Agricultural Input Support Scheme and Command Agriculture, highlighting that land reforms had brought many economic benefits to the people of Zimbabwe.
The Department of Environment and Tourism said it was raising awareness on the Know-Your-Zimbabwe-Campaign to promote domestic tourism.
It advocated swift implementation of Special Economic Zones, reduction of veld fires and better waste management.
On its part, the War Veterans Affairs Department said it had worked well with its parent ministry on school fees for dependents, medical assistance and establishing business ventures.
“The relationship between the party and war veterans has improved significantly as demonstrated at the Solidarity March on 18th November 2017 and the resolutions of the Special Session of the Central Committee to the effect that war veterans deserved respect and recognition of the role they played and that they should be accommodated in the party and Government if they have the requisite skills and qualifications.”
