The ManicaPost
Samuel Kadungure
Senior Reporter
VICE-PRESIDENT, Dr Constantino Chiwenga took a wound care approach to heal an embittered, polarised and fractured political landscape that was threatening to cost the ruling party in Makoni by uniting rival party candidates and their supporters.
The VP’s visit to St Therese High School in Makoni West on Wednesday saw Zanu PF candidate, Dr Jenfan Muswere being united with his main rival in the recent primary elections, Cde Moses Ruwona.
Three candidates contested the primaries in March — Dr Muswere, Cde Ruwona and Cde Matienga Mhiripiri.
Cde Mhiripiri was already working well with the party candidate, Dr Muswere.
Had Dr Muswere and Cde Ruwona’s rift not been resolved, it had the potential to cost the party the seat.
Party guru, Cde Diydmus Mutasa was also working behind the scenes to unite the two.
However, it took Dr Chiwenga’s visit for the two to smoke the peace pipe, much to the excitement of the grassroots.
“I want to single out these comrades for their loyalty to the party. They have wisdom, and know that the party is superior, and they are subordinate to it.
“Cdes Ruwona and Mhiripiri, you have done the right thing to join forces with the party candidate, Dr Muswere.
‘‘This is the behaviour that must be emulated by all in the party,” he said.
Cde Ruwona said: “I am happy to be given this opportunity to openly declare my support for Zanu PF candidates — starting with President Mnangagwa, our parliamentary candidate, Dr Muswere and all our councillors.
“I implore you all, and those who are home, that our position as a party is to vote for all the party candidates.
‘‘We do not support anything outside the party position. Let us go and vote for all Zanu PF candidates.”
Zanu PF national secretary for finance, Cde Patrick Chinamasa weighed in: “I really thank you for reconciling the Makoni West family. On the same note, I would like to thank Cdes Ruwona and Mhiripiri for humbling themselves and demonstrating that the party is superior to individuals.
‘‘There is room for everyone in Zanu PF. I believe you will work together with Cde Muswere so that Zanu PF retains the seat,” he said.
Dr Chiwenga said Manicaland has a rich revolutionary history dating back to the days of the liberation struggle when the province was the main transit corridor for gallant sons and daughters who skipped the country for military training in Mozambique.
The province has been voting for the ruling Zanu PF and its candidates since independence.
“Zanu PF fought the liberation struggle that brought independence and we should defend that on August 23. We need to behave as Zanu PF members.
‘‘We must unite. We need unity of purpose among us. Let us go and vote for Zanu PF candidates, led by President Mnangagwa, MPs and councillors.
“I ask you all — let there be peace here in Makoni West, and let there be peace in Manicaland. Let there be unity, love, tolerance to those who may have a different view from yours, and finally harmony,” he said.
Dr Chiwenga, who is also Health and Child Care Minister, said radical action will be taken to eradicate drug and substance abuse.
Manicaland is being used as a conduit and a destination for smuggled illicit drugs, leading to a sharp increase in local consumption and peddling of narcotics, even among schoolchildren.
The influx of drugs through the porous border with Mozambique has become a major concern.
Drugs commonly abused in local hotspots include cocaine, morphine, heroin, ecstasy, cannabis, broncleer (bronco), mandrax, hashish and crystal methamphetamine, commonly known as mutoriro, dombo or guka.
“It is our duty as a community to raise a responsible generation. Our schools, teachers, parents, churches, extended family and pastors should help us mould responsible citizens by instilling discipline in our children. Child rights should not stop you from disciplining them. If we spare the rod, we spoil the child,” he said.
Dr Chiwega said through the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme (ERRP 2), Government is refurbishing roads in urban and rural areas after opposition run councils had failed to deliver.
“To develop as a nation, we need good roads, and through ERRP2, roads that have been neglected by the opposition councils are being rehabilitated.
“In Manicaland, the Odzi-Marange Road, Rwenya Bridge, Headlands-Mayo, Chivhu-Nyazura, Chiwetu-St Therese and Nyanga-Rwenya Roads are being upgraded from gravel to tarred roads,” he said.
Dr Chiwenga said the economy will leverage on agriculture and mining, with lithium being the latest in-demand mineral.
In Manicaland, lithium is mined at Sabi Star Mine in Buhera.
Dr Chiwenga said Government will accelerate dam construction and establishment of irrigation to enhance food and nutrition security, while distributing free Pfumvudza inputs in drier communal parts of the country.
“There is no province where the Second Republic has not constructed a dam and developed irrigation schemes to empower our communities.
“In Manicaland, you have Marowanyati (Buhera) and Muchekeranwa (Makoni). There are those who were displaced by the dam, I have heard your concerns, and your compensation will be sorted,” said Dr Chiwenga.
He said e-education should start at ECD level.
To demonstrate Government’s commitment toward e-education, he donated 30 computers to St Therese and two other school that will be chosen by the local leadership.
Dr Chiwenga said Government will decentralise pharmaceutical warehouses to districts after establishing them in provinces.
“Our thrust is to have them decentralised in provinces and districts so that at any given time, medicine and drugs do not go below 15 percent. We will continue to develop our hospitals and clinics to effectively cater for our people. The next big step will be to equip them with ambulances to take good care of the people,” he said.
