ZANU PF is expected to consolidate unity, democracy as it is geared towards securing an overwhelming governing mandate in 2023 general election, the party’s national Political Commissar Cde Mike Bimha has said.
In 2022 by-elections the ruling party managed to fish from opposition strong holds through its sound policies which are people centred.
The party has a commanding majority in Parliament and made it clear that it aimed to fish from the opposition pond and maintain its stronghold in rural areas
Led by President Mnangagwa, the governing party has launched an urban renewal agenda that has seen roads being rehabilitated under the Emergency Roads Rehabilitation Programme (ERRP) and water challenges are being addressed, in the short term through the Presidential Borehole Drilling Scheme while construction of dams will offer a long-term solution.
Title deeds are also on cards for urban dwellers. Central Government had to step in to fill the gaping void in service delivery which was next to non-existent while officials from the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) or MDC Alliance lined their pockets.
In 2018, the MDC Alliance candidates won in Epworth and Mutasa South but the same candidates were on in last year’s March clobbered as the Second Republic’s policies appear to be hitting the mark ahead of 2023 general elections.
A pro-opposition research entity, the Zimbabwe Democracy Institute (ZDI), has said the by-elections have shown that the revolutionary Zanu PF party is on a strong resurgent trajectory as it managed to grow its support base by larger margins than its opponents fronted by CCC.
Speaking at a year-end press briefing Cde Bimha said Zanu PF is poised for a successful year as they want to register a thunderous victory come 2023 election. “Our members will continue to support the party as we go through 2023. Credit must also go to the Government under the astute leadership of President Mnangagwa for a sterling performance during the time. “Since the coming in of the Second Republic there is remarkable strides in a number of areas particularly in the infrastructure, mining, agriculture, tourism and across all sectors.
“The good performance has helped the party to make inroads and I have no doubt in my mind that if the Government continues to register success stories we will see the party becoming stronger and stronger,” said Cde Bimha.
The ruling party, he said has a pleasing performance in all its programmes.
“All in all, the party has a pleasing performance and once again I would like to thank the party structures, wings and those who participated in the campaigns and our members who went in their numbers to vote for the party in the by-elections.
“This has demonstrated that Zanu PF is the only party that matters in this country. It is a party with history, a party with a background, a party that has driven the revolution starting from a struggle against Ian Smith regime up to the time where we are now focusing on economic development.
“It is the only party which has demonstrated that land can be taken from the oppressors and given to those who owned that land hitherto,” said Cde Bimha.
As part of mobilisation strategy, Cde Bimha said they have recorded 120 affiliate organisations who want to be associated with the party.
“Suffice to mention, the proliferation of affiliates who want to be associated with ED which is synonymous with economic development.
“This really started with Young Women for ED and this has catapulted other groups to come together. On our books we have recorded 120 affiliates who want to be associated with the party which is really interesting in the sense that we now don’t just look at our structures but we do have our affiliates who are now supporting us and campaigning for the President and the party’’.
Zanu PF is targeting to mobilise 5 million voters for President Mnangagwa and the party to ensure a resounding victory in next year’s election. Next year, Cde Bimha said the party will launch the DZOKAI KUMUSHA initiative as part of its mobilisation strategy to lure members from the opposition.
“We have also seen the return of a number of members who were previously in MDC and CCC coming back to Zanu PF. This group is led by Cde Blessing Chebundo and has done so well across all 10 provinces.
“At the beginning of the year we will launch their programme, the DZOKAI KUMUSHA launch.
“So all in all, 2022 was a good year for the party and we look forward to a very successful 2023,” he expressed. So far a number of former CCC and MDC Alliance members traced their roots back to Zanu PF. – The Herald
