Mnangagwa's Zanu-PF orders govt depts to back conference

Zanu-PF on Monday summoned government officials in Mashonaland East province and ordered them to assist in preparations for the Zanu-PF annual conference scheduled  for October.

The NewsHawks claims that government officials in other provinces have also received a similar directive, betraying the lack of separation between the ruling Zanu-PF and government, as well as the abuse of state resources to advance a partisan cause.

The party's annual conference will be held virtually, as delegates are expected to follow proceedings in their respective provinces.

Speaking at a Zanu-PF provincial coordinating committee meeting held in Marondera, the party's director for administration, Dickson Dzora, revealed the conference coordinating technical committee is moving around across all province to asses the state of preparedness.

Dzora said he was expecting the province, including all government departments, to contribute in preparation for and during the annual conference.

"We are happy that all government departments are well represented and we are expecting everyone to play his or her part in the preparation of this conference and as a province you have to come up with issues to be discussed at the conference and presentations on progress of devolution," Dzora said.

"This presentation should be drawn from the successful projects of devolution and you have to showcase what you have as a province to promote marketing of resources in the province.

"Serious restructuring is happening in the party and we will deliberate on these issues. Resolutions by provinces should have been forwarded to the party for assessment. The leadership will make a decision on the number of delegates and who will attend the conference.

"Preferred venues must have security, adequate water, electricity supply and catering facilities and be accessible."
Speaking at the same occasion, secretary for security in the sub-committee of the technical team preparing for the conference Solomon Magondo said the party is superior to government, emphasising the need for people to work together.

He said expensive equipment would be brought into the province and other provinces to ensure the conference is held successfully but called on delegates to ensure the property is well-protected.

"We are bringing expensive equipment for this event and I urge all security members to be wide awake. The party is on top (sic) of the government so if any of the equipment is being stolen or damaged it's a dismissable offence," he said.

The meeting was attended by politburo member Sydney Sekeremayi (pictured below), minister of state for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Aplonia Munzverengwi, provincial acting chair Michael Madhanha, political commissar Herbert Shumbamhini and government provincial heads.