Mugabe appoints Zanu-PF elections directorate

PRESIDENT Mugabe has appointed a five-member Zanu-PF national elections directorate to spearhead preparations and mobilising of resources for the 2018 harmonised elections.

The party's elections  directorate chaired by the Secretary for Administration, Ignatius Chombo comprises, First Lady Dr Grace Mugabe, National Political Commissar, Saviour Kasukuwere, Secretary for Legal Affairs, Patrick Chinamasa and Secretary for the Youth League, Kudzanayi Chipanga.

The directorate which was appointed last week has also five working sub committees namely, management, chaired by Kasukuwere, Research chaired by Professor Jonathan Moyo, Finance and Logistics headed by Obert Mpofu, Security chaired by Kembo Mohadi and Legal Affairs chaired by Chinamasa.

This was revealed by Chombo in his address as the guest of honour at the Matabeleland South Provincial Coordinating Committee meeting in Gwanda on Monday.

Chombo was leading a high powered delegation from Harare.

"The directorate's mandate is among other things to direct, co-ordinate, monitor and supervise primary elections including the selection of candidates. It's also responsible for election campaigns. It will also mobilise resources for campaigns for the harmonised elections in 2018," said Chombo.

He also urged party cadres to be united and work together for the good of the party so that it wins resoundingly next year.

"Our call is for us to be united and work together . We should shun personal differences which have detrimental effects to the party. We should pull in one direction so that our party prevails come elections next year. This is the message we have for you," he said.

National Commissar, Kasukuwere urged party members to register in numbers to vote and outshine the opposition. "What's upon us is very serious.

Let's get our cadres to register to vote for elections. The registration is beginning 14 September. This process entails our members to register afresh. For us as a party members you have to defend the party at your voting place. It means you have to make sure that party members have been registered to vote," said Kasukuwere.

He said President Mugabe was the only party candidate contesting the Presidential elections.

"The war is won by councillors. Please go back to the people and mobilise them. The ball is in your court. Once a councillor wins then we know the MP has won as well as the President. It's your duty now to mobilise people. Let's start preparing for elections," he said.

The delegation is moving around the provinces to conscientise people to register to vote and also explain how disciplinary issues should be handled.

The other members of the delegation are Politburo member, Absolom Sikhosana, Secretary for Information and Publicity, Simon Khaya Moyo, Minister of War Veterans, Tshinga Dube, Deputy secretary for legal affairs, Paul Mangwana, Mashonaland East, Mashonaland Central, Manicaland, Harare, Bulawayo and Matabeleland South, Ministers of provincial affairs, Cdes Retired Brigadier Ambrose Mutinhiri,  Martin  Dinha,  Mandiitawepi Chimene, Miriam Chikukwa, Nomthandazo Eunice Moyo and Abednigo Ncube.

The deputy Minister of Industry and Commence, Chiratidzo Mabuwa was also in attendance.