Harare, (New Ziana) – President Emmerson Mnangagwa, newly elected by the 7th Zanu PF national people’s congress for a fresh term of office, on Saturday retained his deputies, Constantino Chiwenga and Kembo Mohadi as the party’s second secretaries, in exercise of powers vested in him as First Secretary of the ruling party.
He also partially constituted a new Politburo, with members including National chairperson Oppah Muchinguri, secretary for finance Patrick Chinamasa, secretary for administration Obert Mpofu, secretary for the commissariat Mike Bimha, secretary for the women’s league Mabel Chinomona, secretary for security Lovemore Matuke and secretary for ware veterans Douglas Mahiya all retaining their posts at the president’s prerogative.
“I am appointing a small team in the politburo because we are busy restructuring the departments of the politburo, but for purposes of work to be done urgently, I will announce a few members of the politburo. The others will be announced after restructuring the politburo,” he said.
“The head of the youth league will be announced later. We are still consulting on the head of the youth.”
Earlier, President Mnangagwa had also exercised his powers to appoint 10 additional members of his choice into the new Central Committee.
The President appointed Wilson Khumbula from Manicaland, who was leading the old Zanu (Ndonga) whose party has now joined Zanu PF, Mai Tongogara (Mashonaland Central), the wife of the late war time commander, General Tongogara.
Others who were chosen by the President included, Ambassador Zenzo Simbi (Bulawayo), comrade Madanha (Mashonaland East), comrade Chirongoma (Mashonaland West), comrade Fundira (Midlands), and Veronica Nkuli from Matabeleland North.
From Masvingo Province, President Mnangagwa chose Paul Mangwana, while from Harare he took Miriam Chikukwa and from Matabeleland South he chose Abednico Ncube.
The ten Presidential appointments fill up the Central Committee whose other members were elected last month.
Some of the people who triumphed in the CC elections included Dr Auxilia Mnangagwa, Francis Nhema, Lewis Matutu, all from Midlands Province.
From Mash Central, James Makamba, Lazarus Dokora and Nicholas Goche emerged victors, while Edgar Mbwembwe, and lawyer Jonathan Samkange from Mashonaland East are back in the CC.
Professor Mthuli Ncube makes his maiden entrance into the Central Committee while Terrance Mukupe also bounces back representing Hurungwe.
The congress also approved the constitution of a council of elders, whose inaugural members include former Cabinet Ministers, Josiah Hungwe, Tshinga Dube and Angeline Masuku.
The council is charged with advising the party on matters of importance, and is constituted of the ruling party’s senior members who include former Cabinet Ministers.
In his closing remarks, President Mnangagwa encouraged greater unity within the party.
“Our Party Zanu PF is not about contestations for leadership positions. We are about policies, programmes and projects which end poverty. Our quest is to create modern jobs, towards delivering true benefits to the people, as we lift the least among us, from poverty into prosperity. We are about delivering sustainable livelihoods and a prosperous future for all the people of Zimbabwe.
“In Zanu PF, it is never about the President; Politburo, Central Committee or the well-crafted resolutions from our Congresses and other party forums. It is about the people, in whom true power resides. It is the people who are galvanised, moved and organised by our ideas towards transforming, modernising, industrialising and growing our economy,” he said.
“At any one time, there are a few who are called upon to serve in leadership positions. I, therefore, thank the outgoing members of the Central Committee and Politburo for serving at that level. Let us remain encouraged by the fact that in Zanu PF, every member is important and we remain all bound by our duties as enshrined in the Party Constitution. I, therefore, urge us all to continue consolidating our unity and working together to advance the Aims and Objectives of our Party.”
Earlier, President Mnangagwa had given certificates of appreciation to members of the outgoing Central Committee.
Breaming with confidence that the party’s internal democracy as exhibited by the just ended congress, had come of age, President Mnangagwa said more work lay ahead to continually renew the party and improve the lives of Zimbabweans.
“Internal party processes are more refined, and our party is more united as we march forward. Therefore, emerging from this 7th National People’s Congress, as the party leadership, from the Central Committee right down to the Cell/Village, we must never bury our heads in the sand. We have a duty and obligation to lead from the front, with greater tenacity, resolve and determination.
“The targets we have set for ourselves, some of which have been articulated in our Congress Resolutions, must be achieved. The task is onerous and must see us complete the modernisation processes of our revolutionary party. Administrative systems and mobilisation strategies should continue to be revamped and overhauled, if need be, to be in sync with the prosperous and modern society we are building, as articulated in our National Vision 2030,” he said.
“In my opening address, I outlined the party’s successes which now constitute the legacy of our party. Our gaze and focus is now into the future, beginning with the next five years. Most importantly, we must begin to envision the future of our party and country, well beyond 2030.
Hence, our National Development Strategies must be more forward looking and aligned to Party Congresses, in line with the spirit of the supremacy of the party.”
Meanwhile, President Mnangagwa set the ruling party into full campaign mode.
“Let us mobilise and encourage our people to register to vote, and to turn up in their numbers to vote for Zanu PF on election day. Party structures and leadership at every level must resist the temptation to “close out” any individuals or group of persons, from coming into Zanu PF on the basis of labels, prejudices and preferences or even for the self-preservation of a few.
“This is not the Zanu PF way. Instead, our structures must make our membership base stronger and broader. The Chitepo School of Ideology remains tasked with raising the political consciousness of all the cadres of the Party,” he said.
“Now more than ever before, all of us must put shoulder to the wheel and push in one direction towards our thunderous victory. The Party Election Manifesto will soon be launched, while the requisite election campaign material and resources are ready and will be distributed in due course. More efficient distribution modalities are in place that will ensure that the Party regalia reach the ordinary Party members at the cell and village levels. This will include distribution at cell level.” – New Ziana
