Zanu-PF modernisation plans unveiled

Zanu-PF's Manicaland Province has reaffirmed its support for Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 (CAB3), President Emmerson Mnangagwa's Vision 2030 agenda and the party's grassroots mobilisation programme following its inaugural 2026 Provincial Inter-District Conference held in Mutare.

The conference, convened at Mutare Teachers' College on Saturday in accordance with Article 12, Section 141 of the Zanu-PF constitution, brought together delegates from all districts to review party programmes, assess implementation progress and mobilise support ahead of National Cell Day scheduled for Saturday.

The meeting also considered reports on party structures, development programmes and resolutions referred by the Central Committee.

Leadership changes were announced during the conference, with Mutasa Central legislator Innocent Benza co-opted as provincial vice-chairperson, while Judith Shadaya was appointed provincial secretary for legal affairs.

Zanu-PF Politburo member and National Secretary for Finance Patrick Chinamasa commended the province for holding what he described as a constructive conference that focused on development rather than internal disputes.

He welcomed Parliament's passage of CAB3, urged members to remain united and called for improvements to the party's primary election processes.

Chinamasa also advocated for the dualisation of the Mutare-Harare Highway, citing increasing traffic volumes at Forbes Border Post, and outlined plans to digitise party administration as Zanu-PF's membership approaches four million.

Provincial chairperson Tawanda Mukodza said key vacancies within the provincial executive had now been filled, strengthening the party's organisational structures.

He praised First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa's empowerment initiatives, saying they continue to improve the lives of women and girls across the province.

Mukodza also called for transparent and credible primary elections in Mutare Ward Three while urging party members to remain vigilant in responding to opposition resistance to CAB3.

He described Parliament's approval of the constitutional amendment as a major victory for both the party and the country's development agenda.

According to Mukodza, consultations conducted across Manicaland showed overwhelming support for President Mnangagwa's leadership and Vision 2030.

He said development projects and empowerment initiatives demonstrated effective cooperation between the party and government in improving citizens' livelihoods.

Mukodza emphasised that party discipline remains fundamental to Zanu-PF's operations.

He warned that members who undermine collective decisions or publicly attack the party leadership would face disciplinary action in accordance with the party's constitution.

The provincial chairman also commended legislators from Manicaland for supporting CAB3 in Parliament.

He appealed to Chinamasa to convey the province's message of loyalty to President Mnangagwa, saying Manicaland remained committed to supporting his leadership and development agenda through to 2030.

Mukodza urged party members to focus on service delivery, unity and mobilisation, saying discussions about leadership positions should only take place through established party processes at the appropriate time.

"We did our PEC and Provincial Inter-District Conference, drumming up support towards the National Cell Day, whereby we met the whole leadership from the districts, who are going to mobilise the villages and the cells," Mukodza said.

"Manicaland is ready. Each and every corner of the province is mobilising for the National Cell Day. Every party member, including the leadership, is expected to be at his or her own cell or village."

He said monitoring teams would conduct spot checks across districts to assess implementation of the National Cell Day programme.

Mukodza added that the conference also reviewed progress made since the beginning of the year on cell verification, cell building and mobilisation around CAB3.

Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution Misheck Mugadza presented a report outlining provincial development achievements.

He said Manicaland had attracted US$59 million in new investments while recording progress in irrigation development, healthcare, energy generation, border infrastructure and drug rehabilitation programmes.

Mugadza said close cooperation between the party and government had helped the province secure second place nationally in performance contract assessments.

Politburo member Supa Mandiwanzira commended the work of the party's Women's League and Youth League but called for greater focus on large-scale infrastructure projects capable of transforming the provincial economy.

He also urged government to expedite the upgrading of the Mutare Flyover.

Women's League provincial chairperson Dorothy Mabika highlighted achievements by the league, including its performance at the national cookout competition held in Kwekwe.

She also raised concerns over alleged irregularities and multiple allocations of land, calling for greater transparency in land administration.

War Veterans League provincial chairperson Linda Mathathu thanked President Mnangagwa for empowerment funding and borehole drilling programmes benefiting communities across the province.

She appealed for intervention to stop the repossession of land belonging to widows and children of liberation war veterans and called for the establishment of a dedicated provincial office and skills training linked to borehole drilling projects.

Youth League provincial chairperson Stanley Sakupwanya reported progress in youth empowerment programmes, including the acquisition of two buses operating between Harare and Mutare.

He also welcomed the youth representation provisions contained in CAB3, describing them as an important milestone in increasing young people's participation in national development.