Zanu-PF warns against corruption

Zanu-PF has warned party members that it will not brook corrupt activities among its rank and file and has activated its provincial structures led by chairpersons to fight the scourge. The crackdown follows a meeting President Mugabe held with provincial party chairpersons and other leaders at State House on Wednesday last week.

Addressing a Mashonaland West provincial coordinating committee meeting in Chinhoyi at the weekend, Secretary for Administration Dr Ignatius Chombo said corruption would not be tolerated in the party.

"At last week's meeting of (provincial) chairpersons with President Mugabe at State House on Wednesday, the President talked about something that we think when said to us chairpersons, is a command," he said.

"President Mugabe pressed on the issue of corruption saying in the provinces where chairpersons work they should seriously look at the issue of corruption as it has the potential of killing the party."

The meeting was held to allow chairpersons to present challenges they face in executing their duties. Dr Chombo, who is also Home Affairs Minister, said the President had also called on the party to adhere to proper disciplinary procedures in dealing with any member accused of wrongdoing.

Dr Chombo said his office would soon write to all provinces restating party disciplinary procedures to avoid matters premised on lies and hatred of individuals, which help to weaken the party.

"The President said people who have wronged the party should be punished, but following laid down procedures to the letter. This ensures that even those who have been tried are content with the outcome," he said.

Turning to disciplinary issues in Mashonaland West province, Dr Chombo said provincial leaders should stop "ambush tactics" leading to votes of no confidence. This follows vote no confidence motions on provincial chairlady Angeline Muchemenyi and other manoeuvres at the weekend to boot out Cdes Sarah Mahoka and Maggi Chidarikire from the provincial executive on a raft of charges.

Said Dr Chombo: "We should make sure that whatever we are doing will help build the party and not destroy it. We should stop ambush tactics which lead to votes of no confidence that are in turn countered by similar motions which do not help the party."

News of the vote of no confidence have been doing the rounds on social media. He said the Zanu-PF leadership should be open about disciplinary issues and the crimes for which one was accused.

Politburo member and President of the Senate Edna Madzongwe was asked to convene a meeting of the Women's League in the province to hear allegations levelled against the three and to map the way forward.

Another team will be set up to go on a fact-finding mission in Kadoma where internecine strive has been reported. The Women's League, he said, could only proceed to pass a vote of no confidence once they were clear that an offence was committed.

Provincial chairperson Ephraim Chengeta said Mashonaland West was ready for the One Million-Man March on Wednesday. "We are ready and the districts are working on their plans to ensure that the province where our President hails from is well represented," he said.

The march is aimed showing support for the President as the sole Zanu-PF presidential candidate in the 2018 elections. The meeting was also attended by Mashonaland West Minister of State Faber Chidarikire, Politburo members Edna Madzongwe and Lands Minister Dr Douglas Mombeshora.