Tinotenda Hove- Zanu PF’s Mashonaland West province has adopted 26 resolutions for consideration at the ruling party’s National Annual People’s Conference in Chinhoyi in October, with several of the proposals likely to reignite controversy over President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s continued hold on power.

The most politically sensitive resolution is the province’s explicit endorsement of Mnangagwa as its preferred candidate for First Secretary and President of Zanu PF at the party’s next congress.

The endorsement comes amid a long-running and contentious debate within Zanu PF over the party’s leadership and Mnangagwa’s political future.

The province also wants the Zanu PF constitution reviewed and aligned with Zimbabwe’s national Constitution, including provisions concerning the tenure and electoral cycles of party structures.

Another controversial resolution calls for the speedy implementation of Constitution Amendment Act No. 3, legislation that has already attracted intense political debate.

Politburo member Ziyambi Ziyambi told party members in Chinhoyi that Government had already begun implementing some provisions of the amendment.

“I am happy with the quality of the resolutions coming from Mashonaland West ahead of the National Annual People’s Conference. As Government, we are already implementing the Constitution Amendment Act No. 3, and a number of its provisions are already underway,” Ziyambi said.

He cited the submission of senatorial candidates’ names to Parliament and the transfer of the voters’ roll from the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to the Registrar-General’s Office among the measures already being implemented.

Ziyambi also called for an acceleration of the party’s membership verification process as Zanu PF moves towards digitising its records.
He revealed that information relating to about 272,000 members had reportedly been captured incorrectly.

“We need to speed up the membership verification exercise because we want to digitise our database and ensure that the information we have accurately reflects the actual membership of the party,” he said.

“A verified and reliable database will assist us in targeted programming, effective communication and messaging, revenue collection and, most importantly, the consolidation of a comprehensive national database.”

The revelation about inaccurate membership records raises questions about the reliability of the party’s existing database and the scale of the organisational challenges facing Zanu PF.

Provincial chairperson Mary Mliswa-Chikoka also praised residents for supporting Amendment No. 3, saying the province had demonstrated confidence in the changes.
“I want to thank the people of Mashonaland West for endorsing the Constitution Amendment Act No. 3, which is now law. Your support demonstrated the confidence and commitment of the people of this province towards the legislative changes,” she said.
She further linked the province’s support for the amendment to her recommendation by Mnangagwa to serve as a senator.

Meanwhile, Zanu PF National Resource Mobilisation chairperson Philip Chiyangwa claimed the province had mobilised resources worth more than US$1 million towards hosting the conference.

“We have so far raised at least US$100 000 in cash, while other resources, including cattle, sheep, maize, chickens, pigs and various other contributions, have also been mobilised,” Chiyangwa said.

“When we put a value to all these resources and combine the different forms of support received, I can safely say that the total value has exceeded US$1 million,” he added.
The meetings were also attended by a six-member delegation from the Zanu PF Council of Elders led by former Health Minister David Parirenyatwa.

The delegation discussed party unity, organisational development and preparations for the national conference.

However, the combination of a fresh endorsement of Mnangagwa and resolutions pushing for the implementation of Amendment No. 3 is likely to keep Zanu PF’s leadership and constitutional agenda firmly under public scrutiny ahead of the October conference.