Source: Underfire ED doles out more cars –Newsday Zimbabwe
ZANU PF central committee members were yesterday summoned to State House in Harare before they attended their meeting which is part of the party’s 22nd national people’s conference being hosted in Mutare, Manicaland province.
The conference started with an ordinary session of the politburo at the party’s headquarters in Harare on Tuesday, with President Emmerson Mnangagwa expected to officially open it tomorrow.
The central committee members rolled in at the Zanu PF headquarters yesterday as reports circulated that they had been summoned to State House, Mnangagwa’s official residence, for the sleek twin-cab vehicles.
Sources told NewsDay that although the vehicles had been talked about for more than three months, it was curious that they were released on the eve of an explosive conference.
The Mutare conference is being held amid simmering tensions within the ruling party over a resolution made in Bulawayo last year to unconstitutionally extend Mnangagwa’s tenure beyond two terms.
Mnangagwa has distanced himself from calls to extend his term, although his supporters have been clamouring for him to hold the fort until 2030.
“The release of these vehicles is quite interesting since there are people who are going to make noise at the conference calling for Mnangagwa to stay in office beyond 2028,” a Zanu PF source said.
“It is strategic for the ED2030 movement which we are going to see drowning the conference in Mutare.
“This also indicates that those opposed to the term extension will find it very difficult to oppose the move.”
The Zanu PF sources also revealed that the structures opposed to the term extension could find it difficult to go against the ED2030 resolution.
“As it stands, the excitement exhibited by the central committee members, who received the vehicles, some who had to look for drivers at the last minute, means no one is going to raise any objection against resolution No. 1,” another said.
Zanu PF has about 64 administrative districts, with each having two central committee members, including ex-officio members, meaning Mnangagwa doled out approximately 230 vehicles ahead of the conference.
However, political and social commentator Ruben Mbofana dismissed the argument that Mnangagwa has outwitted those apposed to the term extension.
“Indeed, there are those who say that. But I feel they are missing the point and fail to understand the political dynamics within Zanu PF,” he said.
“The party presidency has never been based on democratic choices. Since the party’s founding in 1963, power has always been determined by the military — from the removal of Ndabaningi Sithole and the installation of Robert Mugabe, to Mugabe’s own ousting and replacement by Emmerson Mnangagwa.
“Therefore, basing our understanding of how power will be determined in Zanu PF today on who has managed to buy more people or support is grossly misguided.”
Mbofana said the financial muscle being used to “buy” loyalty and dishing out vehicles would not work, arguing that “power in Zanu PF is not built on popular support”.
“All that the next leader needs is military backing . . . It would take just one decisive move by the military and the rule would become history,” he said.
Meanwhile, addressing the 128th session of the central committee yesterday, Mnangagwa announced the distribution of the vehicles, adding that they should benefit the people and the party.
“You have received the vehicles because you are leaders of the party. The party is the people,” he said.
“If the party is for the people and you came from the people to lead them, the party has given you the vehicles to work with the people.
“So, if you have received a party car and if you see a party cadre, you should know that the person has something to do with that vehicle.”
Mnangagwa called on the central committee members to provide the requisite leadership and guidance in the respective sectoral committees at the conference.
“Discipline, focus and national interest must remain our guiding principles.
“Improving the lives of the people at grassroots level must be at the core of all our discussions.
“The overall recommendations and resolutions should be aimed at propelling our country forward.”
He said Zanu PF would continue to promote programmes that have seen it rising above the sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe by the West, while recording significant gains on the economic development front.
“Going forward, our colossal mass party will continue to implement policies that consolidate unity, peace, prosperity and sustainable development,” he said.
“Let us direct constructive debate and come out with sharper strategies towards the implementation of our people-centred policies, high-impact programmes and projects which affect the daily lives of our people.”
Mnangagwa, however, bemoaned the loss of party cadres who were dedicated to serving the organisation without complaining.
“As we meet today, it is disheartening that we continue to lose the gallant sons and daughters of the soil.
“This is happening at a critical time when we need loyal and patriotic cadres who are dedicated to serving their country.”
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