THE just-ended ZANU PF 6th National People’s Congress held at Robert Mugabe Square in Harare has left the party rejuvenated and ready to deliver.
Led by President Robert Mugabe, the Congress agreed on a number of amendments to the party’s constitution.
The amendments include the expansion of the revolutionary party’s ethos, the trimming of Politburo members and the appointment of the Vice-Presidents of the party.
The selection of Vice-Presidents is now done by the First Secretary as opposed to election by delegates at Congress.
This makes the President the centre of power, a move that eliminates factionalism which was threatening the existence of the party.
Article 7, Section 35 of the new ZANU PF constitution states that the two Vice -Presidents and Second Secretaries are appointed in accordance with the Unity Accord by the President and First Secretary for their skill, experience, probity, integrity and commitment to the party, its ideology, values, principles and policies.
This move saw Cde Emmerson Mnangagwa and Cde Phelekezela Mphoko being appointed as the First and Second Vice-President respectively.
The new-look Politburo has 33 members compared to the previous 64.
The chairmanship post has been relinquished and the two Vice-Presidents perform the duties that the chairman used to do alternately.
Fresh faces such as Cdes Phelekezela Mphoko, Mike Bimha, Kudzanai Chipanga, Christopher Mutsvangwa, Christopher Mushowe, Shuvai Mahofa, Prisca Mupfumira, Pupurai Togarepi and First Lady Amai Dr Grace Mugabe have been roped in.
Cdes Patrick Chinamasa, Saviour Kasukuwere, Sydney Sekeramayi, Cleveria Chizema, Kembo Mohadi, Obert Mpofu, Joshua Malinga, Cain Mathema, Sithembiso Nyoni, Thokozile Mathuthu, Oppah Muchinguri, Ignatius Chombo, Josiah Hungwe, Eunice Sandi Moyo, Simon Khaya Moyo, Jonathan Moyo and Emmerson Mnangagwa, Tsitsi Muzenda, George Rutanhire and David Parirenyatwa are members of the previous Politburo who have been retained. Pundits contend that a smaller Politburo is easily manageable and can be more effective and efficient in administering different party goals.
Some sections of the media suggested that the congress left ‘cracks in ZANU PF widened’, but the expansion of the party’s ethos reflects that revolutionary parties will not die, particularly when its drivers – in the case of ZANU PF the war veterans – are still around to pass on the revolutionary baton to future generations.
This has seen the creation of the Department of War Veterans in the Politburo which will be headed by Cde Sydney Sekeramayi and deputised by Zimbabwe Liberation War Veterans Association Chairman, Cde Christopher Mutsvangwa.
The redefined ZANU PF emerged from the Congress determined to remain the mass revolutionary socialist party in the emancipation of people from all forms of oppression including emancipating people from abuse by senior party members who sideline other members on factional basis and the abuse of women and girls by senior party members who would later dump them.
To underline the party’s seriousness in weeding out incompetent and corrupt elements, President Mugabe dismissed former Vice-President Joice Mujuru and seven ministers and a deputy.
Cdes Francis Nhema (Indigenisation), Dzikamai Mavhaire (Energy),Webster Shamu (Courier Services), Simbaneuta Mudarikwa (Minister of State for Mashonaland East), Didymus Mutasa (Presidential Affairs), Olivia Muchena (Higher and Tertiary Education) and Nicholas Goche (Labour) were the ones afftected.
Cdes Mavhaire and Munacho Mutezo were sacked on allegations of diverting US$40 000 from ZESA to fan factionalism in Manicaland Province, Women’s League.
Prior to the Congress, nine provincial chairmen who were fingered as kingpins of factionalism were also shown the exit.
Former VP Mujuru was also accused of demanding 10 percent shareholding in foreign-owned companies, in contravention of the country’s indigenisation and economic empowerment regulations.
Some of those sacked were now trying to control ZANU PF by using ‘dirty’ money to determine the outcomes of intra-party elections including the Youth League Congress which was marred by controversies.
Instead of delivering to the electorate, the same officials became preoccupied with succeeding President Mugabe through unorthodox means, but were overwhelmingly rejected by voters in Central Committee polls.
In his opening remarks at the Congress, President Mugabe bemoaned the calibre of leaders that were in the party.
“As I greet you in the name of the Politburo, I must regret. I must say with a deep sense of sorrow we have not done to you what we felt we should have done,” he said.
“We have not behaved in a manner which we should have behaved.
“Manner that was exemplary.
“Manner that showed we are united. Manner that showed that we are all working for the party in order for the party to achieve the objective of the party.
“Some of us failed you, as we thought we were working together, they were doing their own things.”
The new party constitution says every party member has a duty to be loyal, to strengthen, promote and defend the party and popularise its policies among the people, while at the same time requiring members to conduct themselves in honourable dealings which do not bring disrepute to the party or ridicule.
This dovetails with President Mugabe’s calls for party members to acquaint themselves with ZANU PF’s history and what it stands for.
“Do you know it really? Do you know its origins? Its history?,” said President Mugabe.
“Do you know how it has moved from that history to the present position?
“And the leaders, the leaders who have gone, the party is for all members not just top officials.”
So on the whole, ZANU PF is now galvanising itself ahead of the 2018 harmonised elections.
After rooting out divisive elements during the Central Committee elections and this week’s Cabinet reshuffle, the revolutionary wheels are rolling again.
In fact, ZANU PF has been reborn.In fact, ZANU PF has been reborn.