Zanu-PF to exempt MPs from primaries

ZANU-PF is mulling exempting its hardworking Members of Parliament from being subjected to primary elections as part of efforts to ensure that the revolutionary party registers a resounding victory in the forthcoming 2018 general elections.

The announcement was made by Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko last Wednesday in Mukumbura district, Mashonaland Central province while addressing senior party and Government officials during a briefing where he had toured Government departments at the border post.

He later addressed thousands of people, the majority of whom were Zanu-PF supporters. In his address to senior party members, VP Mphoko urged sitting Zanu-PF legislators to work hard in their constituencies to ensure that the revolutionary party registered a landslide election victory in 2018.

VP Mphoko told party and Government officials that he was touring several areas to establish the state of preparedness of Zanu-PF ahead of the harmonised polls.

"The ball is in your court. We're saying all hardworking MPs should be exempted from primary elections. If you're not working in your constituency then don't blame us. We want people to work," said VP Mphoko.

The statement was received with jubilation by Zanu-PF Mazowe North candidate, Advocate Martin Dinha who assured VP Mphoko that he would ensure that he worked hard so that he was guaranteed of the right to represent the party in 2018.

Adv Dinha, who is also Mashonaland Central Provincial Affairs Minister, will be representing Zanu-PF in Mazowe North constituency by elections set for July 23 to fill the vacancy that occurred following the death of Engineer Edgar Chidavaenzi two months ago.

VP Mphoko said he was moving around all provinces assessing the implementation of Government's economic blueprint Zim-Asset ahead of the 2018 harmonised elections.

Zanu-PF Mashonaland Central provincial chairperson Dickson Mafios warned legislators not to blame the party leadership if they were found to be lazy and subjected to primary elections.

"We're watching you. We need people who work hard. Only those MPs who are hardworking in their constituencies will benefit from this. If you're not working hard and you're a Missing Person, don't blame the party leadership," said Mafios.

In his brief to VP Mphoko, Adv Dinha rapped the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education for misdirecting the $20 million facility it got by constructing most schools in urban areas ignoring rural areas which he has had downtrodden people.

"Hon VP, the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education got a $20 million loan facility but strangely it's constructing schools in urban areas like Kuwadzana, yet here parents are being asked to mould bricks, scrounge for money for roof sheets for the schools yet we all know that most of them aren't gainfully employed.

"Is it prudent for the Ministry to construct schools in areas where parents already have the means and ignore rural schools where some children walk more than 20 kilometres to the nearest school. It's also in the rural areas where Zanu-PF has been registering landslide election victories," said Adv Dinha.

The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education secured a $20 million facility from the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting countries for the construction of schools.

VP Mphoko said the Ministry was one of the ministries that he superintended and he would be convening a meeting with all the ministries he oversees this week.