Sunday Mail Reporters
ZANU PF Harare Province is intensifying its campaign for President Mnangagwa to extend his term in office beyond 2028.
The provincial leadership has since launched an outreach programme to engage various party organs, including the province’s commissariat department, to push the agenda.
Speaking during an outreach programme in Chitungwiza yesterday, ZANU PF Harare Province chairperson Cde Goodwills Masimirembwa said President Mnangagwa’s leadership was central to Zimbabwe’s accelerated development.
“We are here, of course, to cement the position of Harare province, that we would like our President to continue to be in office beyond 2028,” he said.
“These are exciting times, where even the opposition is clamouring for the President to remain in office so that the development trajectory that our country is experiencing continues to be realised.
“So, it is a message we are delivering as we are going throughout Harare’s six administrative districts, that of supporting our President, of supporting his vision and, of course, we are basking in the glory of his good works.”
He also highlighted the vital role played by the commissariat department in recruitment, membership retention and dissemination of the party’s ideology.
“We want to make sure that our commissariat department is strong at every level, from provincial to branch and cell levels, with the ultimate goal of doubling our membership base in Harare,” he continued.
“Currently, ZANU PF in Harare has over 400 000 members; we want to exceed 800 000 by the end of the year.”
Meanwhile, the ZANU PF Matabeleland South provincial leadership yesterday also called for the extension of the President’s term in office.
Speaking during a feedback meeting on resolutions made at the party’s 21st National People’s Conference held recently in Bulawayo, provincial chairperson Cde Mangaliso Ndlovu said the meeting was being held to interact with local leaders and get feedback on the state of the party.
Similar meetings have already been held in Insiza, Gwanda and Beitbridge as part of the campaign to report back to grassroot structures.
“We are also giving feedback on the 21st People’s Conference’s 162 resolutions and, more importantly, for them to walk with us and reassure them that the first resolution of requesting that our President lead the party and the Government up to 2030 succeeded,” said Cde Ndlovu.
“This is our resolution number one, and we stand firmly behind our President and the people’s voice.
“All provinces nationally are in agreement that he is the right man to take us forward.
“We are happy with the feedback from the people and we now have a clear picture of what is affecting the grassroots structures and what needs to be done.”
He urged party members to work in unity as ZANU PF positions itself to regain control of urban councils, where it underperformed in the last elections.
Cde Ndlovu highlighted key resolutions from the conference, including declaring July 1 a public holiday in honour of the late Vice President, Dr Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo.
He also addressed challenges affecting communities, such as poor road networks, low mobile network coverage and water shortages.
“We have taken note of the challenges to do with poor road network and those around communication facilities,” he said.
“So, as the leadership, we are going to engage the relevant ministers for urgent solutions to these issues. At the same time, we should work together as ZANU PF members to make sure we have teamwork and unity of purpose so that we can fully implement the resolutions of the conference that was held in Bulawayo.”
Cde Ndlovu also warned against the illegal sale of communal land by traditional and community leaders.