Minister attacks Zanu-PF moles

ZANU-PF politburo member and Tourism and Hospitality Minister Walter Mzembi has used social media to rail against party officials for leaking sensitive party information to the media, saying the disclosures negatively affect the image of the country.

"Quoting unnamed sources is not 'all things Zanu-PF', we have party spokespersons from districts right up. Any cadre worth his salt must defend his ideals and principles publicly. He or she must subject to public scrutiny his beliefs," said Mzembi.

Responding to a story posted on Twitter by Chronicle on Monday, in which some Zanu-PF politburo members vowed to defy gag orders, Mzembi said the party had designated spokespersons to communicate party issues.

"Take our party discourse out of the media. Unnamed sources should not constitute a story. Unauthorised statements equal punishment," Mzembi said.

He said media ethics should render party moles irrelevant by not quoting unnamed sources, "otherwise we become a nation driven by gossip and negative energy."

He said a witch-hunt would not benefit the party.

"The party has no business in tsikamutanda stuff – pen and pusher are mightier than the sword and can do that easily by running dry on them!," he said.

Asked if the negative reports on the happenings in the party affected tourism in the country, Mzembi replied: "Absolutely, who wants to visit a house in conflict? A house divided against itself will not stand . . .  in relation to tourism, visitors don't want collateral damage or fallout!"

Zanu-PF is set to hold its elective congress in December and jostling for positions has resulted in divisions as some members are alleged to be using money to buy votes.

The party has since constituted a committee chaired by its national chairman Simon Khaya Moyo that will be reporting to President Mugabe every week to deal with claims of indiscipline, vote buying and intimidation.