Chiwenga rides hostilities in Mutare

Vice-President and Zanu-PF second secretary, Constantino Chiwenga, used the party's annual People's Conference yesterday to deliver a forceful warning against corruption, emphasizing the need for Zimbabwe's wealth to benefit all citizens rather than a privileged few.

Speaking under the theme "Attainment of Vision 2030 Through Economic Empowerment and Value Addition," Chiwenga called for genuine economic empowerment that equips Zimbabweans with the means to innovate, produce, and control their destinies.

"Economic empowerment must be genuine - equipping all our people with the means to produce, innovate and own their destiny. That is the essence of Vision 2030 and that is the essence of revolutionary continuity," Chiwenga said.

The Vice-President, a former army general, has faced mounting hostilities in recent weeks for publicly denouncing corrupt individuals, whom he has dubbed "zvigananda" for feeding off state resources while ordinary Zimbabweans suffer. His anti-corruption stance drew criticism from Ziyambi Ziyambi, the party's national secretary for legal affairs, and Christopher Mutsvangwa, a presidential aspirant, in statements issued earlier this week.

Despite the attacks, Chiwenga remained resolute, presenting his message as a continuation of Zimbabwe's liberation legacy. He reminded delegates that the current generation of leaders is not the "alpha and omega" of Zimbabwe's journey but custodians of a torch passed on by heroes like the late General Josiah Magama Tongogara, who fought for the country's future, not personal gain.

Chiwenga also highlighted the symbolic significance of holding the conference in Manicaland, a province central to the liberation struggle. He recounted how thousands of freedom fighters passed through Mutare en route to bases in Mozambique and Zambia, enduring harsh conditions to secure Zimbabwe's independence.

"Those camps in Mozambique and Zambia were not just military outposts. They were altars of sacrifice - places where pain, courage, and faith fused into the spirit of liberation. The cries of those who fell still echo across these hills," he said.

Chiwenga concluded with a call for unity and moral integrity within Zanu-PF, stressing that the party's relationship with the people must remain unbroken. He urged members to uphold honesty, service, and the collective mission that defined the liberation struggle.

"The same unity and singleness of purpose that drove our liberation struggle must now be the moral compass guiding us into the future. We must continue to move forward as one party, one people, one destiny - bound by a shared vision," he said.