Masimirembwa warns Zanu‑PF against post‑primary sabotage ahead of 2030 polls

HARARE - Zanu‑PF Harare Provincial chairman Godwills Masimirembwa has urged party members to end internal divisions and accept primary election outcomes, warning that sabotage by losing candidates has previously cost the ruling party constituencies in the capital.

Speaking during a province‑wide verification and audit exercise in Kuwadzana yesterday, Masimirembwa said the party could not afford a repeat of past "abnormalities" that handed seats to the opposition. "There is a tendency which has been going on for quite a long period of time where some losing candidates during the party's internal primary elections would betray those who performed ahead of them," he told district officials.

"They influence their supporters not to participate, including withdrawal from campaigning and not voting for them as a punishment for their defeat. This has been one of those abnormalities which contributed to the party's electoral defeat by opposition candidates in Harare," he added.

With Zimbabwe's next general elections set for 2030, Masimirembwa urged aspiring candidates to respect internal poll outcomes and rally behind winners. "In the event of an election in 2030, those who would lose during primary elections should concede defeat and mobilise support for those chosen ahead of them. It is the true expression and choice made by our membership to represent them in our quest to grab the constituencies from the opposition," he said.

Harare has remained an opposition stronghold for years, with Zanu‑PF struggling to make inroads despite repeated mobilisation drives.

Also addressing the meeting, Harare provincial political commissar Voyage Dambuza said the ongoing audit was part of a new directive from the party's national treasurer aimed at tightening financial controls. "When the exercise is completed, we will now complement Vision 2030, and thereafter initiate programmes which transform livelihoods of our membership," Dambuza said.

He added that the verification exercise - which has covered districts including Dzivaresekwa - is part of a new strategy to ensure that funds donated through party structures are not embezzled or abused.

The Zone 3 verification brought together provincial and district leadership to review membership rolls, finances and party programmes. Similar exercises are expected to roll out across Harare this month as Zanu‑PF intensifies preparations for 2030, feeding into broader discussions around Zanu‑PF mobilisation strategies and Harare political dynamics.