WikiLeaks won't divide us - Zanu-PF

ZANU-PF will not be divided by revelations by whistle blower website Wikileaks on how some of its members engaged with the "enemy" and is going for its December National People's Conference a united party, spokesperson Rugare Gumbo said yesterday.

His remarks came as the Zanu-PF Politburo met in Harare yesterday and for the second time the Wikileaks revelations were not discussed.

The party rather concentrated on preparations for its conference, the constitution-making process and the indigenisation programme.

In an interview after the meeting, Gumbo said: "It is going to be a normal people's conference. The President does not worry about those things (Wikileaks). This is a party with a long history. When we went into the struggle there were conflicts and some people were even killed. We are taping into that experience to deal with Wikileaks. I can assure you we cannot be divided."

Gumbo, however, indicated that Zanu-PF was studying the Wikileaks reports and once investigations were concluded, the party would release a statement.

"What Zanu-PF tries to do is to establish facts," he added.

The Politburo also got an update on preparations for the conference from party national chairman Simon Khaya Moyo.

"The national chairman highlighted what is supposed to be done, the programme, delegates and we also talked about the (conference) theme. The theme will be out tomorrow (today)," Gumbo said.

He said President Mugabe, who is the Zanu-PF First Secretary, emphasised the need for the party to be ready for the conference running from December 6-10.

Over 6 000 delegates are expected to attend the annual event.

Gumbo said the Politburo got a brief on indigenisation and empowerment from Saviour Kasukuwere.

Kasukuwere is the Minister of Youth Development, Indigenisation and Empowerment and party secretary for indigenisation and economic empowerment.

"We were also given a brief by Kasukuwere on what is happening on the ground. He says there is going to be community funds in every mining area. There are also going to be workers' shareholding structures and a sovereign fund for the entire nation," he said.

Gumbo added: "We were talking theory. We are now talking implementation."

Copac co-chairperson Paul Mangwana briefed the meeting on the constitution-making process and the party expects a draft of the supreme law by the end of this month.

"We are hoping by the end of this month we will have concluded the drafting of the constitution."

The Zanu-PF 12th National People's Conference is the party's last crucial meeting before national elections.

President Mugabe has indicated that the polls would be held not later than March next year.