'Corrupt officials destroying Zanu-PF'

Senior Zanu-PF officials involved in corruption are "destroying the party from within", and this issue will be tackled at the 16th Annual National People's Conference in Masvingo this December, a top official has said.

In an interview, Zanu-PF Secretary for Administration Dr Ignatius Chombo said bad apples should be dealt with decisively to clearly establish the party's position against graft.

Dr Chombo, who is also Home Affairs Minister, said inaction would create the wrong impression that Zanu-PF and its leader President Mugabe condoned corruption and general criminality.

"It's a public secret that as a party, we do not tolerate corruption. Again, the President has, at every opportunity, condemned such acts. Those who are corrupt are undermining the party and destroying it from within.

"The party will not stand idle while it is being tarnished by corrupt, selfish individuals. If the party does not act against dishonest members, this will send the wrong message to supporters."

Zanu-PF heads to conference as authorities are investigating allegations that Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development Minister Professor Jonathan Moyo siphoned hundreds of thousands of United States dollars from the Zimbabwe Manpower Development Fund.

It is alleged that Prof Moyo did this in cahoots with his deputy, Dr Godfrey Gandawa.

Prof Moyo has claimed the allegations are motivated by tribalism and has sued the public media for reporting the investigation.

Dr Chombo also said Zanu-PF was working on clearing outstanding disciplinary cases ahead of conference, adding that the ruling party would continue prioritising the people's welfare.

He said the indaba, themed "Moving with Zim Asset in peace and unity", would review Zimbabwe's economic performance, among other key issues.

"We are a grassroots political party. As I speak, we had seven political meetings per day for the last two weeks, while all opposition parties held only one meeting.

''We are having between 36 and 48 meetings in one week, with an average of 500 people per meeting. MDC-T is having three or so, with an average of 180 per meeting. Mai Mujuru's party is having five, and 150 people attend each meeting on average.

"And when we win elections, they move around saying Zanu-PF rigs elections. No. We work with the people and know what they want. There is need to interact with the people, and that's what we do as a party."

Dr Chombo continued: "We interact with the people in the language they understand and on issues they are concerned about.

Critically, we have always focused on what people say and issues they are concerned about; their aspirations, dreams and interests. That's where we stand as a party.

"We have never taken an agenda from outside; we have never tried in our history to push a foreign agenda. We push and work for a Zimbabwean agenda.

"That agenda comes from our villagers and the generality of our people. What they want is what concerns Zanu-PF.

''It is difficult for any political party to separate us from the people because their interests are our utmost concern; from the days of the liberation struggle."