Zanu-PF manifesto, elections direction by this week

ZANU-PF will this week finalise its party manifesto for the 2018 harmonised elections, National Secretary for Transport and Welfare, July Moyo has said.

Addressing party members at the Zanu-PF Convention Centre in Gweru yesterday, Moyo said the Politburo will on Wednesday finalise the party manifesto expected to give direction to aspiring candidates.

"Politburo is seized with the manifesto. This is likely to be concluded on Wednesday when we have a meeting. This manifesto will give us direction as a party. We have to go into our primary elections with the guidance of the manifesto," he said.

Moyo said the party will on Friday also release the election guidelines for the primary elections to select party candidates for the forthcoming harmonised elections.

"By the end of this week the party will have released the elections guidelines for the primary elections. These guidelines will give us direction. Our philosophy is to open up. If you lose to a younger person please concede defeat. Section 269 of the party constitution states that there shall be an Electoral Commission composed of nine members to deal with disputes concerning the primary elections. It will also oversee and assess the CVs of aspiring candidates. These are going to come up with guidelines for any other elections in the party. We need to be democratic as a party. Let us ensure a resounding victory for our President this year," he said.

Moyo said the party will soon start distributing party regalia and paraphernalia.

"Very soon we will release our paraphernalia including the regalia. Adverts will be flighted. Some of the material is being printed and will soon be distributed," he said.

Meanwhile, the Zanu-PF Midlands Province has recommended the suspension of Cdes Fred Moyo, Chiratidzo Iris Mabuwa, Tsitsi Zhou, Tremendous Musara, Tafanana Zhou and Francis Nhema over alleged misconduct. That means, if the decision is upheld by the National Disciplinary Committee, they would not be eligible to participate in the primary elections. The suspensions were announced by provincial vice-chairman, Godwill Shiri.

"We have suspended Tafanana Zhou because he was found guilty of working in isolation, associating with G40 and participating in a meeting that led to the unconstitutional suspension of other party members. He is a second offender and therefore he will be suspended for three years. Tsitsi Zhou also appeared before the disciplinary committee and was also found guilty for proposing to have other party members unconstitutionally dismissed.

She has been slapped with a two-year suspension. Chiratidzo Mabuwa who was facing the same allegations has been slapped with a three-year suspension because she is a repeat offender. Fred Moyo also got a three year suspension for his involvement in the G40 machinations and is also a repeat offender. Francis Nhema who was running parallel structures in Shurugwi has been suspended for three years. Councillors Tremendous Musara and Chiripai Chipondeni have been suspended for two years," he said.