'Zanu-PF undergoing renewal'

The ruling party ZANU-PF says it is undergoing renewal and modernisation through the recruitment of young and well-resourced cadres under the leadership of President and First Secretary Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Speaking during celebrations held at Chipinge Junior Primary School grounds on Saturday, party National Chairperson Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri said the party is embracing a "new breed" of leadership aligned with national development priorities.

The event marked the elevation of Dr Paul Tungwarara to the ZANU-PF Central Committee, a development the party described as part of its broader renewal strategy.

Muchinguri-Kashiri said Tungwarara's appointment followed a recommendation from Chipinge District after the resignation of Dorothy Mabika, who later became Manicaland provincial chairperson.

She praised Tungwarara as a philanthropic figure whose work aligns with the President's development philosophy of "Nyika inovakwa nevene" (a country is built by its owners), citing his involvement in investment facilitation and empowerment programmes.

These include arranging high-level engagements between President Mnangagwa and international investors such as Dubai businessman Mohamed Alabbar, real estate investor Sarjan Damack, and Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote.

According to Muchinguri-Kashiri, these engagements have helped attract potential investments into sectors including cement manufacturing, mining and power generation.

She also highlighted a series of empowerment initiatives linked to the Presidency, including youth, women and war veterans programmes, revolving loan schemes, and infrastructure support for party structures.

"These empowerment programmes are in line with the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) and Vision 2030," she said, adding that Central Committee members are expected to supervise and ensure implementation of government and party policies.

The event also saw the distribution of food aid, including rice, cooking oil, sugar and mealie-meal, which the party said came from President Mnangagwa.

Manicaland provincial leadership expressed full support for the party's development agenda and reiterated backing for the proposed Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 3) Bill, 2026, which includes provisions related to extending the presidential term to 2030.

Party officials said the province is united behind the reform agenda and committed to advancing economic empowerment and infrastructure development.

Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Misheck Mugadza, praised President Mnangagwa's leadership, citing progress in infrastructure development, service delivery and economic empowerment programmes across the province.

The gathering also underscored Chipinge's political significance, with leaders referencing its liberation war history and its continued role in national political mobilisation.