daniel chigunwe
THE INTERVIEW WITH JOSEPH MADZIMURE
ZANU PF Harare Province has always been the citadel of nationalist politics before and after independence. It is Harare that gave birth to early African nationalist politics that later gave birth to Zapu and Zanu, two liberation movements that spearheaded the liberation struggle.
Despite incurring some setbacks in previous elections, the province appears to be on a rebound, judging by the number of parliamentary seats it wrestled from the opposition in the 2023 harmonised plebiscite. Senior Reporter, Joseph Madzimure (JM), recently sat down with the Zanu PF provincial chairman, Cde Godwills Masimirembwa (GM) for a brief on the state of the party in the Metropolitan Province.
JM: Can you kindly give a synopsis of the state of the party in Harare Province last year and your expectations for 2025?
GM: Harare Province has continued to get stronger by the day. In 2023 we performed reasonably well in the harmonised elections. What we did in 2024 was to reclaim three constituencies, Mabvuku-Tafara, Mt Pleasant and Harare East constituencies in by-elections.
We went on to score victories in council elections, Wards 1, 5, 18 and 34, in Harare and in Chitungwiza we won ward 7, 12 and 21.
JM: During the year 2024, Zanu PF embarked on a cell/village restructuring exercise. How has this helped the party structurally and in terms of membership?
GM: The party had 7 200 cells at the beginning of 2024, which translated to 360 000 members. By the end of the year we were on 8 823 cells, which translates to 441 150 members. So the restructuring was a critical component of the rejuvenation drive of the party in Harare Province.
JM: Looking at the figures you mentioned above, it seems there has been a significant increase in party membership. What is the driving factor?
GM: The people of Harare are appreciating President Mnangagwa’s good works, especially in infrastructural development. The President also pays attention to social problems affecting the people, particularly because of the drought; we see the intervention of the Government with social security nets in the provision of money to buy food for vulnerable people.
We also see development throughout the spectrum of economic activities and other facets of life.
All these positive developments have seen people coming back to Zanu PF, appreciating the good works of President Mnangagwa.
JM: Zanu PF held its 21st Annual People’s Conference in Bulawayo in October last year. What did Harare contribute to the conference?
GM: Yes, the conference was a success and for us as Harare Province, we are particularly happy that all the resolutions adopted by the province were taken on board at the National People’s Conference.
We are particularly excited that the provincial resolution that the party’s First Secretary and President, Cde Mnangagwa, in recognition of his fantastic work and leadership, should continue to lead the nation as State President beyond 2028, was adopted at the National Annual People’s Conference. In fact, every province had that resolution, and as Harare we were ecstatic to be part of that progressive movement which recognises the good works of the President.
JM: On that note, what is the response of the party structures?
GM: After the conference, as a province, we held successful inter-district meetings with our head in the province, the Secretary for Education, Research and Ideology in the Politburo, Cde Charles Tawengwa, explaining to the people, unpacking what came out of the National Annual People’s Conference and there was a positive reception by the people, particularly of the resolution calling for the extension of President Mnangagwa’s term beyond 2028.
JM: Soon after the conference, there were reports of divisions within the province. Can you clarify?
GM: The year 2024 has generally been an excellent year for Harare Metropolitan Province, but there are spoilers, of course, infiltration by G40 elements. There was a surge in social media abuse by a number of people.
Unfortunately, a few elements within the provincial leadership structure were infiltrated by these G40 elements, particularly operating on social media from South Africa, then they recruited a few elements within us.
But we have since taken disciplinary measures against 12 of our members, and the proceedings are still in progress. But as we conclude the year, because of the strong position taken by national leadership and the province itself against social media abuse, the province is now at peace.
We see that the social media groups have really gone quiet, so, we are happy that we are on top of the situation.
JM: What does the future hold for the province?
GM: As we look forward to 2025, we want to grow the party. A growth trajectory for the recruitment of members into the party is our main focus.
Politics is about getting people to support your party because of the progressive policies which you have. We do not have any shortage of that because our President is the best leader you can ever wish for.
So, we look forward to a continued increase in the membership of the party, so that whenever elections do come, we will continue to pile victory upon victory until we return Harare to the glorious days when it was a safe haven for Zanu PF.
JM: On the issue of land barons invading some open spaces in Harare and duping unsuspecting home seekers, how are you dealing with that?
GM: They are being arrested left, right and centre. It is illegal to become a space baron. Do not invade land, do not invade space which does not belong to you. If you do so, the law will catch up with you. You will be arrested.
The party does not commit a crime. So, do not go and commit a crime in the name of Zanu PF. You will be arrested.
JM: Your message to the party structures in Harare for 2025.
GM: We want to thank everyone for the good work we did as a collective in support of our party, in support of our visionary leader, President Mnangagwa. We are excited that in 2025, our party is reinvigorated, re-strengthened and will continue the journey of strengthening Zanu PF in Harare Province.
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