Tinotenda Hove – ZANU PF has called for unity of purpose among its members, warning that those attacking each other at rallies and on social media must stop with immediate effect.

The call was made by the ruling party’s Secretary for Security, Lovemore Matuke, in a statement issued on Tuesday.

“We are deeply concerned by the disturbing developments we are witnessing within our party, where senior leaders and ordinary members alike are openly attacking one another at public rallies and across social media platforms,” Matuke said.

He stressed that such behaviour is alien to the values, traditions and discipline that have sustained the revolutionary party for decades. ZANU PF, he said, was founded on unity, respect and collective responsibility, principles that have enabled the party to overcome adversity and continue serving the people of Zimbabwe.

“Our party has always been a home for all Zimbabweans who believe in the ideals of the liberation struggle. Everyone is welcome, but with belonging comes responsibility. Each of us, whether you are a senior leader or an ordinary card-carrying member, must remember that we are one family.

Families do not insult one another in public, nor do they tear each other apart before the world. We must learn again to speak with one voice, to listen to one another with patience and to resolve our differences with dignity,” he said.
Matuke reminded party members that mutual respect was essential for the good of the revolutionary party.

“Let us also remind ourselves not to wash our dirty linen in public. When we take our internal disagreements to rallies, newspapers and social media, we do more harm than we realise. We weaken the party we love and give comfort to those who wish to see us divided. Our party has strong structures and trusted elders for a reason. These are the spaces where grievances should be shared, misunderstandings cleared, and unity restored.

Differences of opinion will always exist; that is part of any living organisation, but how we handle those differences matters. Respect must guide our words and actions. Leaders must lead by example, showing humility, restraint and kindness, and ordinary members must feel valued and protected, not attacked or belittled,” he said.

He also implored party members to rally behind the leadership of President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

“We are walking together behind President Emmerson Mnangagwa as he works to improve the lives of our people and realise the promise of Vision 2030. We cannot afford to be distracted by personal quarrels and small fights when the future of Zimbabwe demands our full attention,” Matuke said.

The call for unity and discipline comes at a time when the Second Republic is implementing various empowerment and infrastructure development programmes in line with the national vision of attaining upper-middle-income society status by 2030.