Zanu-PF sends begging bowl

Zanu-PF's Manicaland province has begun mobilising material and financial support for the construction of a new US$1 million state-of-the-art provincial headquarters in Mutare, with the project already underway following the acquisition of land in the eastern border city.

Provincial chairperson Tawanda Mukodza confirmed yesterday that the party had secured land with the assistance of national chairperson Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, who reportedly played a decisive role in facilitating the allocation.

Some of the initial building materials - including cement, reinforcement steel and bricks - have already been delivered to the site, and a contractor has been engaged to begin construction.

"We are building a lucrative party office, new headquarters in Manicaland. We want to thank our national chairperson for assisting and playing a pivotal role in acquiring the land sometime ago," Mukodza said.

He also extended gratitude to President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his adviser on investment, Dr Paul Tungwarara, who was co-opted into the Zanu-PF central committee by Manicaland province on Sunday.

Mukodza said progress on the site should be visible by Christmas, with construction expected to accelerate once additional resources are mobilised.

The complex is projected to cost slightly over US$1 million and will feature multi-storey office blocks and a conference centre capable of hosting up to 3 000 delegates - making it one of the party's largest provincial facilities.

"We invite more well-wishers to contribute to the completion of this mega construction project," Mukodza added.

Muchinguri-Kashiri, often described as the political godmother of Manicaland, is understood to have played a major role in securing land for the development, which the party says will strengthen its administrative capacity in the province.