Zanu PF Politburo meeting underway

The 302nd ordinary session of the Zanu PF Politburo opened at the party's headquarters in Harare this afternoon.

The meeting comes in the wake of the recent violent demonstrations by the opposition which saw the destruction and looting of private property in Harare.

It is also taking place when Zimbabweans are preparing for the planting season.

Sources close to the meeting said the Minister of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development, Dr Joseph Made has presented a report on preparations for the 2016-17 agricultural season in the backdrop of the adoption of the Command Agriculture Programme by the government.

The programme is expected to mobilise 300 000 hectares for the growing of maize, Zimbabwe's staple food beginning this year.

Zanu PF Secretary for Administration, Dr Ignatius Chombo is scheduled to present a report on the progress that has been made towards preparing for the party's 2016 annual national people's conference which is planned for Masvingo.

The dates for the conference are yet to be announced.

The National Appeals and Review Committee chaired by Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko is also expected to present a report.

The cases before the committee include those of the three provincial chairmen from Masvingo, Midlands and Mashonaland East and former bigwigs; Nicholas Goche and Tendai Savanhu who were suspended.

Secretary for Legal Affairs, Patrick Chinamasa presents the national disciplinary committee report to the gathering.

Secretary for the Commissariat, Saviour Kasukuwere is expected to give an update on the state of the party where preparations for the Norton, Bikita West and Chimanimani West by-elections are at an advanced stage.

This follows the expulsion of Christopher Mutsvangwa and Munacho Mutezo from the party, and the jailing of Munyaradzi Kereke.