The ManicaPost
Samuel Kadungure
Senior Reporter
ZANU PF Manicaland has set a target to mobilise 800 000 voters as part of its contribution to the party’s national drive to garner five million votes and win the 2023 elections resoundingly.
The target was disclosed by provincial chairman, Cde Mike Madiro, during the party’s Provincial Coordinating Committee (PCC) meeting held at Mutare Hall last week on Sunday.
An indication that the membership recruitment initiative is already in motion, the party unveiled seven officials — Messrs Crosswel Takawira Mugombi (National Patriotic Front), Samson Sithole (Movement for Democratic Change), Nelson Dzingi, Lovemore Chibvura (NPF), Wilson Kumbula (Zanu), Senator Patrick Chitaka and Advocate Simon Simango (MDC-A) — who dumped their political parties to join Zanu-PF and pledged to lure more members to the ruling party.
The party also highlighted that key developmental initiatives like the repairing of rain-damaged roads, drilling of boreholes, establishment of village health posts, waiting mothers’ shelter, poultry projects, dam construction and farm mechanisation are being undertaken throughout the province in fulfilment of the party’s 2018 election manifesto.
The party leadership was also challenged to continue giving the grassroots strategic guidance and tangible empowerment programmes.
“The DCCs have hit the ground running, recruiting new members in a mature and organised manner. There are no fissures, people have discovered each other and are moving as one.
“The party has a target to mobilise five million voters, and Manicaland has agreed to garner 800 000 votes for the 2023 plebiscite. Each district will be given a target depending on its size. We are engaging the red gear for 2023. The women, youth and the veterans of the liberation struggle wings should come up with their own programmes targeted at this goal,” said Cde Madiro.
He said to achieve the target, the party needs to lure new voters keen to be part of the national developmental agenda.
“The majority of the people out there are not part of any political parties and as we target them, we need to motivate and retain our existing support base, as well as target those from other political formations who are pleased with what President Mnangagwa, his Government and Zanu PF are doing to develop the country.
“Many people will see the light and we need to open up and receive them with open hands. We need to be tolerant and make them feel comfortable. They should not come from the frying pan into the fire,” said Cde Madiro.
Zanu PF Politburo member and national secretary for finance, Cde Patrick Chinamasa, also said the party should embrace the new cadres to win the 2023 elections resoundingly.
“Let us embrace all new comrades who have finally seen the light and have abandoned the politics of opposing as it draws the country backwards. For the country to develop, it needs unity,” said Cde Chinamasa.
He hailed Cde Khumbula’s move to dissolve Zanu, saying it helped to unite the people of Chipinge.
Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa said party cadres need to be united and loyal to the leadership of the party.
“We are happy to receive a number of new converts, among them those who have been in Zanu PF before and left to join other parties. Some have been lured from the MDC by President Mnangagwa’s developmental thrust.
“The President is a developmental leader as evidenced by the number of projects being done to turn around the economy and attain Vision 2030. As Zanu PF Manicaland, we will work hard with everyone to garner the five million votes in 2023 under the leadership of President Mnangagwa,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
