Mujuru blasts factionalists are sell-outs

Zanu-PF members who are fanning factionalism are sell-outs as they are causing divisions within the party, Vice-President Mujuru has said.

Addressing delegates at the Zanu-PF Manicaland Women's League Inter-district Conference here yesterday, she said the talk about factions was distracting party members from pursuing development programmes in line with the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation (Zim Asset).

She said the party has one leader, President Mugabe, adding that those lining up for his post while he is still in office were daydreaming.

"Zanu-PF has one leader, who is President Mugabe. Those calling to take over positions of people who are in office are sell-outs. We abide by the constitution of the party, which is our bible, and we say no to power-hungry people.

"You want to take other people's positions; have you succeeded in the one that you have? Some of these people who are saying all sorts (of things) do not have anything to say. We don't want party leaders who confuse members."

Vice-President Mujuru told delegates that district party leaders should shun corruption as it hurts the economy.

She also said Zim Asset requires the participation of all Zimbabweans.

"We have a duty as leaders to develop the country and we have to do away with corruption. All those implicated in corrupt activities will be prosecuted and face the music.

"We have to be focused as a country in order to develop. Let's use our local resources, both human and natural, to uplift lives from the household level. We need to ensure food security and this means that you have to go back to the people and educate them on the need to move from subsistence agriculture to commercial farming.

"This is what Zim Asset is all about; making lives better by utilising what we have around us.

"When we went to war we were focused and we had one objective: to reclaim our land and get independence.

"Likewise, we should be focused today and ensure that Zim Asset is a success.

"As leaders, we should be exemplary like our President is. As such, we say no to leaders who cause disunity in the party and derail initiatives like Zim Asset."

Speaking at the same function, Zanu-PF secretary for administration Didymus Mutasa, who has returned to the public scene following a  short  period  of  absence  due to illness, advocated  adherence  to the party constitution.

He said leaders are chosen at congress, adding that it is the tradition of the party for members to rally behind the chosen leader.

"Let's have unity of purpose by working together.

"We don't want to hear of leadership talk because that will only happen at congress. Those talking about it are causing factions and disunity," he said.

"But what I know is that in the history of Zanu-PF, we have always supported a leader chosen at congress."

The  conference was attended by several Politburo members and Women's League national executive members Oppah Muchinguri, Olivia Muchena, Flora Bhuka and Victoria Chitepo.