Zanu-PF members trade blows online

A senior Zanu-PF official has warned that party members who openly attack one another on public platforms and social media are displaying "ideological bankruptcy" and should undergo reorientation at the party's Herbert Chitepo School of Ideology.

Speaking in an interview on Wednesday, Zanu-PF Politburo member and Principal of the Herbert Chitepo School of Ideology, Ishmael Mada, said the growing trend of public infighting reflects a lack of grounding in the party's values, principles and revolutionary ethos.

"Those people are bankrupt in terms of ideology," said Mada.

"Our advice to the party has been that all those elected into positions of leadership should come through the School of Ideology so that they are properly grounded in their ideological career and in their leadership."

His remarks come amid rising concern within the ruling party over senior officials and grassroots members openly criticising one another at rallies and on digital platforms, a development that Zanu-PF leaders say threatens party unity and discipline.

Mada said many of those fuelling divisions were ignorant of the party's ideological foundations and vulnerable to manipulation by hostile forces seeking to sow discord.

"The majority of those pursuing that agenda are ignorant in terms of our ideology. Some are being used by enemies of the party who abuse social media to push divisive and destructive narratives," he said.

He encouraged the party leadership to make greater use of the Herbert Chitepo School of Ideology as a corrective platform to reorient members and restore cohesion.

"We encourage the party to always engage us at the School of Ideology and bring these members to us so that we assist them," said Mada.

The official also linked ideological discipline to national development, saying effective participation in government programmes requires a clear understanding of the vision of the Second Republic under President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

"For stakeholders to engage meaningfully in the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), each has a specific role to play," he said.

"This role is detailed in the framework for 2026 to 2030, which seeks to elevate Zimbabwe to upper middle-income status."

Mada said the School of Ideology remains committed to helping party members and citizens align themselves with the national vision and contribute constructively to nation-building.

"As the School of Ideology, we are dedicated to helping the citizens of Zimbabwe connect with this vision and actively participate in nation-building," he said.

"This can only be achieved by those who have a clear ideological understanding. Our school is at your service as we work together to build our nation."

Zanu-PF has in recent days reiterated calls for unity and restraint, warning members against washing internal disputes in public and urging the use of established party structures to resolve differences.