Category: News Feeds

HARARE
–
President
Emmerson
Mnangagwa’s
spokesman
George
Charamba
says
he
would
rather
Zimbabwe
quits
the
Commonwealth
forever,
even
as
the
ruling
Zanu
PF
party
has
been
lobbying
some
members
of
the
club
of
former
British
colonies
to
lift
the
country’s
suspension
in
place
since
2002.

Insisting
that
he
was
expressing
a
personal
opinion,
Charamba
said
the
Commonwealth
was
a
“needless
albatross,”
referring
to
demands
for
Zimbabwe
to
implement
democratic
reforms
in
order
to
qualify
for
membership.

“My
personal
view
has
always
warned
against
renewed
interest
in
the
Commonwealth.
It
offers
nothing
to
Zimbabwe
besides
needless
and
fastidious
strictures,”
Charamba
wrote
on
X.

Charamba
said
Zimbabwe
was
“fine
as
it
is”
without
the
Commonwealth
from
which
it
was
suspended
in
2002
over
rights
violations
and
violent
farm
seizures.
Then
President
Robert
Mugabe
withdrew
the
country
from
the
body
a
year
later
after
the
Commonwealth
refused
to
lift
the
suspension
unconditionally.

Mnangagwa,
who
replaced
Mugabe
in
a
military
coup
in
2017,
declared
rejoining
the
Commonwealth
one
of
his
priorities
while
projecting
himself
as
a
reformist,
but
he
has
steered
the
country
deeper
into
tyranny.

Representatives
of
56
countries,
most
with
roots
in
Britain’s
empire,
are
attending
the
Commonwealth
Heads
of
Government
Meeting
that
began
in
Samoa
on
Monday
and
ends
on
Saturday,
with
slavery
and
the
threat
of
climate
change
emerging
as
major
themes.

Zimbabwe’s
re-admission
is
not
on
the
agenda,
but
African
countries
are
expected
to
lobby
for
its
exile
to
be
lifted.

Zanu
PF
spokesman
Chris
Mutsvangwa
met
with
Canada’s
ambassador
Adler
Aristilde
this
week
and
declared
after
the
meeting:
“We
expressed
our
desire
to
rejoin
the
Commonwealth
and
our
expectation
is
an
influential Canada
in
the
Commonwealth
could
also
push
for
Zimbabwe’s
credentials
so
that
we
become
a
part
of
this
club
of
friends
which
historically means
a
lot
to
us.”

Manoah
Esipisu,
Kenya’s
High
Commissioner
to
London
for
six
years
until
May,
told
Politico:
“African
members
have
been
a
little
impatient
about
what
they
see
as
unnecessary
delays
in
this
process
(of
readmitting
Zimbabwe).”

Commonwealth
nations
are
still
awaiting
a
full
report
by
Commonwealth
observers
on
Zimbabwe’s 2023
general
election,
which
re-elected
president
Emmerson
Mnangagwa
amid
claims
of
vote
rigging
and
voter
intimidation.
Human
Rights
Watch
said
the
poll
was
“characterised
by
repression
of
civil
and
political
rights.”

The
report
will
be
crucial
in
deciding
Zimbabwe’s
fate.
Zimbabwe’s
readmission
must
be
backed
by
all
countries
for
it
to
sail
through.

A
Commonwealth
spokesman
said
“the
report
is
in
the
final
stages
of
publication
and
will
be
released
imminently,”
adding:
“We
confirm
that
all
necessary
procedures
have
been
followed.”

Stuart
Mole
of
the
Institute
of
Commonwealth
Studies
said
the
treatment
of
the
report
had
been
“scandalous
and
in
clear
violation”
of
guidelines,
as
the
requirement
to
publish
in
a
timely
way
had
been
“blatantly
ignored.”

He
notably
avoided
endorsing
the
“2030
Mnangagwa”
campaign,
which
aims
to
extend
President
Emmerson
Mnangagwa’s
rule
beyond
the
constitutionally
mandated
two-term
limit.

Chiwenga’s
focus
on
the
well-being
of
citizens
and
economic
prosperity
signals
a
shift
away
from
internal
political
agendas,
even
as
some
Zanu
PF
delegates
push
for
Mnangagwa
to
remain
in
office
until
2030
through
a
proposed
constitutional
amendment.

Instead,
the
Vice
President
addressed
urgent
economic
issues
and
improved
food
security,
presenting
a
contrast
to
the
party’s
current
push
to
keep
Mnangagwa
in
power.

“It
is
therefore
essential
that
we
use
this
conference
to
develop
resolutions
that
drive
industrialisation
and
propel
our
economic
trajectory
towards
modernisation,”
Chiwenga
stated.
“This
will
fulfill
the
vision
of
our
President
for
the
realisation
of
Vision
2030.
As
the
ruling
party,
we
should
value
and
never
take
for
granted
the
trust
that
the
people
of
Zimbabwe
place
in
us
through
their
votes.”

Chiwenga
said
the
supremacy
of
the
party
over
the
government
should
ensure
the
implementation
of
resolutions
made
at
the
party
conference,
which
“should
be
taken
seriously.”

“Our
discussions
should
focus
on
enhancing
the
livelihoods
of
our
people.
Our
economy
must
continue
to
grow
to
ensure
food
security
and
general
prosperity
for
all,”
he
added.

The
Vice
President
stressed
the
importance
of
disciplined
leadership,
highlighting
the
role
of
innovation
and
industry
in
securing
Zimbabwe’s
future.
He
advocated
for
an
education
system
that
aligns
with
the
needs
of
learners,
saying,
“Industry
should
be
supported
by
evidence-based
research,
science,
and
technology
innovation,
leading
to
infrastructure
development.”

He
also
underscored
the
need
for
a
stable
currency,
saying,
“Most
importantly,
our
currency
should
retain
its
value
to
boost
trade
and
commerce
for
the
common
good
and
public
convenience.”

Chiwenga
further
called
for
economic
empowerment
to
take
precedence
over
political
consolidation,
urging
resolutions
that
promote
industrialisation
and
economic
modernisation
in
line
with
Vision
2030.

“As
such,
we
gather
here
to
review
the
implementation
of
resolutions
from
the
20th
National
People’s
Conference
held
in
the
Midlands
in
2023.
Our
revolutionary
party
president
continues
to
ensure
that
the
development
of
our
nation
leaves
no
one
and
no
place
behind,”
he
remarked.

“With
the
conclusion
of
the
National
Development
Strategy
(NDS1)
nearing,
this
conference
gives
us
the
opportunity
to
create
strategies
to
overcome
challenges
such
as
the
El
Niño
drought,
the
COVID-19
pandemic,
and
food
security
issues,”
Chiwenga
said.
He
added
that
as
Zimbabwe
prepares
to
launch
NDS2,
the
party
and
government
must
continue
to
implement
policies
that
uplift
the
livelihoods
of
Zimbabweans.

“Our
growth
must
ensure
equitable
development,
leaving
no
one
and
no
place
behind,”
the
Vice
President
stated.

Reports
indicate
that
tensions
between
Mnangagwa
and
Chiwenga
have
escalated
as
support
for
Mnangagwa’s
third-term
push
gains
momentum.
Many
Zanu
PF
delegates
from
Harare,
Midlands,
Mashonaland,
and
Matabeleland
provinces
have
called
for
Mnangagwa
to
lead
until
2030,
garnering
widespread
support
and
applause.

Despite
his
reluctance
to
endorse
Mnangagwa’s
third-term
bid,
Chiwenga
acknowledged
Mnangagwa’s
contributions
to
Zanu
PF
and
commended
his
leadership
in
agriculture,
mining,
and
tourism
under
the
philosophy,
“Nyika
inovakwa
nevene
vayo,
ilizwe
lakhiwa
ngabanikazi
balo”
(The
country
is
built
by
its
owners).

“Let
me
remind
you
all
that
our
president
has
been
a
consistent
and
influential
figure
in
shaping
Zimbabwe’s
political
landscape
since
the
1960s.
He
has
been
a
loyal,
selfless,
and
dedicated
son
of
this
revolutionary
party,
Zanu
PF,”
Chiwenga
said,
highlighting
Mnangagwa’s
long-standing
service.

Chiwenga
also
praised
Mnangagwa
for
his
decision
to
join
other
Zimbabwean
youth
in
resisting
the
white
minority
rule,
saying,
“The
president
continues
to
defy
the
odds,
embodying
the
true,
unshaken
African
spirit
of hunhu and ubuntu,
especially
in
the
face
of
neo-colonial
challenges
such
as
illegal
sanctions.”

He
concluded
by
urging
Zanu
PF
members
to
remain
united
and
disciplined
in
their
mission
to
build
a
peaceful
and
prosperous
Zimbabwe.
“I
urge
you
all
to
be
disciplined
cadres,
work
together,
and
uphold
our
core
values
of
peace,
unity,
and
development
as
we
strive
to
improve
the
lives
of
our
people,”
said
the
Vice
President.
“Let
us
learn
from
the
president,
in
whom
we
have
total
confidence,
as
a
peacebuilder,
unifier,
and
champion
of
development.”

As
provincial
delegates
took
to
the
stage
to
endorse
Mnangagwa’s
leadership
until
2030,
chants
of
“2030
for
Mnangagwa”
resounded
throughout
the
venue
with
growing
calls
for
his
extended
presidential
term.

The
Zanu
PF
Annual
People’s
Conference
being
held
in
Bulawayo
is
set
to
officially
kick
off
today.
Delegates
are
already
seated
awaiting
the
arrival
of
the
party
leadership. #Asakhe pic.twitter.com/fzbHqXxLqo

—
CITE
(@citezw) October
25,
2024

Provincial
leaders,
from
Harare
to
the
Midlands,
echoed
the
sentiment,
showing
support
for
proposed
amendments
to
Zimbabwe’s
constitution
that
could
grant
Mnangagwa
a
third
term
or
eliminate
term
limits.

These
prevailing
sentiments
are
feared
to
cement
Mnangagwa’s
leadership
well
beyond
his
current
term,
as
the
2030
mantra
emerged
as
a
dominant
narrative
from
party
delegates.

The
conference
saw
strong
calls
from
all
10
provinces
for
Mnangagwa
to
lead
until
2030.

Harare
Province,
represented
by
Chairman
Godwills
Masimirembwa,
made
the
2030
endorsement
after
they
were
called
on
by
the
party’s
secretary
general,
Obert
Mpofy
to
make
their
greetings.

This
was
followed
by
similar
expressions
of
support
from
Mashonaland
East,
Mashonaland
West,
Masvingo,
Matabeleland
North,
Matabeleland
South,
and
the
Midlands.

This
collective
endorsement,
marked
by
loud
applause,
singing,
and
dancing,
left
little
room
for
discussion
on
succession
plans,
which
were
anticipated,
as
Mnangagwa’s
official
speech
emphasised
unity,
loyalty,
and
party
resilience,
suggesting
that
succession
planning
might
not
be
a
priority
on
the
agenda.

In
his
keynote
address,
Mnangagwa
expressed
gratitude
for
the
party’s
dedication
and
loyalty,
party
discipline
and
loyalty
to
party
leadership.

“Zanu
PF
is
a
moving
train,
always
ready
to
welcome
new
members,”
he
said.

“However,
party
systems
must
be
tightened
and
insulated
against
infiltration
by
divisive
elements
and
malcontents
who
have
no
regard
for
the
political
order
that
is
guaranteed
by
the
supreme
Party
Constitution.”

In
line
with
Article
2,
Sections
8
and
9
of
Zanu
PF’s
amended
Constitution,
the
president
challenged
the
conference
delegates
to
reaffirm
their
commitment
to
the
party’s
Constitution.

“This
binds
all
members
and
must
be
respected,
adhered
to
and
fulfilled
by
all
of
us,
at
every
level,
without
exception,”
Mnangagwa
said
cautioning
party
members
against
“ideological
indecisiveness”
and
that
party
loyalty
is
paramount.

“Further,
the
threats
posed
by
indiscipline
and
political
excesses
of
opportunists
should
be
addressed
head-on.
In
Zanu
PF,
we
toe
the
correct
line
of
the
revolution.
There
is
no
room
for
ideological
indecisiveness.”

Citing
Article
3
Section
19,
Mnangagwa 
added,
“Every
member
of
the
Party
has
a
duty
to
be
loyal
to
the
Party
and
its
leadership.”

The
President
avoided
directly
addressing
the
growing
chorus
for
a
2030
agenda
but
underscored
the
importance
of
allegiance
to
Zanu
PF
principles
and
its
leadership
and
stressed
the
need
to
protect
the
party’s
reputation,
instructing
members
to
adhere
to
the
“correct
line
of
the
revolution.”

“Sub-section
(6)
also
obligates
11
us
to
conduct
ourselves
honestly
and
honourably
in
dealing
with
the
Party
and
the
public
so
that
we
do
not
bring
the
Party
or
its
leadership
into
disrepute
and
ridicule,”
Mnangagwa
said

“No
one
will
be
allowed
to
derail
the
Party’s
people-centred
character.
Ultimately,
we
the
people
must
always
defend
the
Party. Zanu
PF
musangano
unoyera.
MuZanu
PF
tine
tsika,
yekukudzana
nekuremekedzana.
Zanu
PF
hayikwani
muhomwe
yemunhu (The
party
does
not
fit
in
one’s
pocket).”

“In
Zanu
PF,
we
toe
the
correct
line
of
the
revolution,”
Mnangagwa
declared,
emphasising
the
need
for
cohesion
within
the
party
ranks.

As
cautioned
by
some
political
analysts
and
opposition
figures,
the
conference
largely
turned
into
a
“rubber
stamp”
event
to
bolster
Mnangagwa’s
2030
ambitions,
with
little
indication
of
open
dialogue
on
succession.

Mnangagwa’s
emphasis
on
unity
and
loyalty
could
also
be
a
prelude
to
a
strengthened
push
for
constitutional
amendments
allowing
him
to
remain
in
office
indefinitely.

Meanwhile,
the
president
also
congratulated
all
members
for
the
successes
scored
by
the
ruling
party
including
victories
in
various
by-elections.

“Overally,
the
Commissariat
undertook
key
activities
such
as
the
restructuring
of
Cells
and
Villages.
The
existence
of
a
credible
and
electronically
stored
Party
Membership
Database
has
become
an
urgent
necessity,”
he
said.

“Delivering
this
multi-functional
membership
register
tool
cannot
be
left
at
the
level
of
the
Party
Headquarters
alone.
It
is
the
duty
of
all
Party
leaders
and
members
to
work
harder
and
honestly
to
deliver
an
accurate
and 
verifiable
Party
register.”

“This
will
also
enable
more
responsive
development
planning
over
and
above
the
routine
strengthening
of
our
internal
democratic
processes
and
procedures.”

However,
Mnangagwa
said
he
was
aware
that
in
some
districts,
“chaotic
records
of
members
are
deliberate
and
preferred
by
those
holding
Party
positions
to
gain
favour
or
advantage
over
others.”

He
said
that
was
“unacceptable
and
must
stop.”

“Party
structures
are
critical
for
a
strong
foundation
of
the
revolution.
We
should
guard
against
infiltration
into
the
structures
and
not
destroy
the
structures.”

The
president
also
said
it
is
“pleasing”
that
the
Zanu
PF’s
membership
is
“steadily
growing,
especially
in
provinces
like
Bulawayo.”

“Organisations
and
individuals
affiliating
and
sympathising
with
the
Party
are
broadening.
However,
the
Party
should
not
relax,”
Mnangagwa
said.

In
closing,
Mnangagwa
reiterated
the
importance
of
the
conference.

“The
outcome
of
this
Conference
has
far-reaching
implications.
Zanu
PF
is
the
Party
that
is
leading
Zimbabwe,
developing
every
Province,
District,
Ward
and
Village;
we
shall
industrialise
and
modernise
our
motherland,
ourselves.
Forward
and
forward
ever!,”
he
said.

“With
these
remarks,
it
is
my
singular
honour
and
privilege
to
now
table
the
Central
Committee
Report
and
declare
the
21st
National
People’s
Conference,
officially
open.
Zanu
PF
is
the
Party
that
is
leading
Zimbabwe…
we
shall
industrialise
and
modernise
our
motherland,
ourselves.”

BULAWAYO
–
Chief
Marupi’s
death
in
Harare
on
Sunday
has
triggered
a
feud
between
his
family
and
the
local
councillor
who
drove
him
to
the
capital,
allegedly
without
their
knowledge.

The
28-year-old
chief
from
Dibilashaba
in
Gwanda
South,
real
name
Oaheng
Nare,
died
at
Health
Point
Hospital
in
Harare
after
being
admitted
while
complaining
of
a
tummy
ache
and
vomiting.

His
death
came
just
two
weeks
after
armed
robbers
raided
his
rural
home
and
stole
his
official
Isuzu
vehicle.
He
was
unharmed
in
that
incident,
but
his
family
now
fears
the
robbery
and
his
death
so
soon
after
are
connected.

The
family’s
fury
has
been
directed
at
Mphathiswa
Ncube,
the
local
Zanu
PF
councillor
and
chairman
of
the
Gwanda
Rural
District
Council
who
was
the
last
person
to
see
the
chief
alive
after
driving
him
to
the
capital,
supposedly
to
seek
medical
treatment.
The
family
wonders
why
the
treatment
could
not
be
found
at
hospitals
in
Bulawayo.

Molisa
Nare,
a
local
headman
and
relative
of
the
late
chief,
said:
“We’re
still
in
a
state
of
confusion
about
his
death
because
before
he
is
taken
to
Harare
he
was
complaining
of
a
headache.
Now
we’re
being
told
in
Harare
he
had
an
upset
stomach.

“The
whole
thing
is
difficult
to
understand.
We
hope
the
postmortem
will
shed
some
light.”

Angelina
Marupi
Moyo,
the
late
chief’s
aunt,
said
Chief
Marupi’s
trip
to
Harare
was
shrouded
in
mystery.

She
told
local
community
radio
station
Ntepe-Manama
FM:
“His
departure
from
home
for
Harare
is
something
we’re
still
trying
to
understand.
Another
thing
is
that
we
knew
him
to
be
having
a
headache
and
the
new
narrative
from
the
hospital
that
he
was
vomiting
and
had
a
runny
tummy
adds
to
our
confusion.

“We’re
in
pain
over
what
has
befallen
us.”

Ncube
told
ZimLive
he
would
have
something
to
say
only
after
the
burial.

“I’m
sorry,
for
now
I’m
not
in
a
position
to
comment.
I
will
comment
after
the
burial,”
he
said.

The
chief’s
body
was
expected
to
leave
Harare
on
Friday
with
burial
likely
on
Sunday,
family
spokesman
Chris
Marupi
said.

A
family
source
told
ZimLive
that
they
were
also
curious
over
the
role
of
President
Emmerson
Mnangagwa’s
son-in-law,
the
lawyer
Gerald
Mlotshwa,
in
the
chief’s
trip
to
Harare.

The
source
said:
“We
understand
he
paid
everything,
including
the
hospital
bill.
The
question
is
why?”

Mlotshwa
is
reported
to
have
met
the
chief
several
times
in
recent
months
while
seeking
his
signature
in
his
bid
to
take-over
the
safari
section
of
the
55,000-hectare
Doddieburn
Ranch,
which
is
in
Chief
Marupi’s
jurisdiction.
Cecilia
Bhebhe,
the
owner
of
Motsamai
lodges,
currently
holds
the
lease
for
the
ranch.

Questions
left
for
Mlotshwa
had
not
been
answered.

Chief
Marupi,
one
of
the
youngest
traditional
leaders
in
the
country
at
the
time
of
his
death,
was
“receptive
to
advice
and
humble,”
according
to
stand-in
chief
of
the
nearby
Garanyemba
chieftaincy
Jefrey
Ndlovu-Nhlamba.

“He
prioritised
traditional
cultural
practices
as
his
role
demanded.
As
the
people
of
Gwanda,
we
have
all
been
robbed
of
a
good
man
who
had
no
quarrel
with
anyone,”
Ndlovu-Nhlamba
said.