Mugabe's party gears for 2018 polls

Zanu-PF has started strategising for the 2018 harmonised elections and this week launched the first meeting of the Political Mobilisation Sub-Committee tasked with knitting strategies for the polls. This comes as the revolutionary party has also begun to revamp its administrative systems to enhance viability, vibrancy and best practices.

Secretary for Administration Ignatius Chombo is spearheading the exercise and is moving around provinces holding workshops with provincial secretaries for administration and chairpersons.

He was in Mashonaland East on Thursday and next week will be in Manicaland before heading to Mashonaland Central.

"Sound administration will help us to institute efficiency early, warning systems, correctly project election patterns and results and in addition to mount an effective campaign and mobilisation strategy," said Chombo to party members in Marondera.

"Sound and efficient party administration should be our everyday motto. It is my wish through these visits to share ideas and examine current systems, experiences and guide each other on how we can work in a methodical, synchronised manner with provincial and district offices. There are always advantages derived from a culture of doing things right all the time and it will be most appreciated if we were all, with one accord, to adapt such a work ethic."

Chombo said the ultimate purpose of the strategies was for Zanu-PF to win elections and govern forever.

"These elections are now just 24 months away," he said.

"So whatever we do, let us be vigilant about the MDCs, People First, other political parties and NGOs. We must win the 2018 elections so that we continue to govern the country and create employment for our members."

Chombo said the welfare of party employees such as accommodation, medical aid and funeral assistance would be tackled during the visits.

"We are also interrogating the possibility of moving the medical aid contributions to another insurer," he said.

"The Employee Committee at party headquarters has been mandated with engaging the Minister of Local Government and all local authorities with the view of securing housing stands for party employees in the areas they reside or work."

Chombo said the departments of administration, commissariat and finance were seized with the issue of new electronic party cards members paid for.