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This ends our updates…

1406: Cde Chinotimba took to the podium soon after the President’s address. He says “Vataipa macards eparty tichivanyorera macards isu asi ndovava muPolitburo. Vatakadzidzisa mupolitics ndovava muPolitburo.” He declares there will be at Congress with a new executive.

1355: “The party has its own ways of dealing with problems. Inga kana michato  inodambuka wani…you can’t immediately chase your wife, you give her time.” He says in response to people saying fire all corrupt people.
“Congress is around the corner be patient, we will discuss all this don’t vote for those you don’t want.”

With that President Mugabe ends his address.

1348: “We hear people were being stopped from attending the event…Saka Jabulani akutonga munyika muno?”

1322: The President thanks the people for coming saying “makatakurwa nemhepo yeChimurenga”….”Matundundu enyu azere neshungu yekuti nhasi pano paZanu PF chokwadi chibude. Handisati ndanzwa kuti gamatox zvinorevei, muchatondidzidzisa.  VaMutasa  ndakavabvunza nokuti zvinonzi ndovakatanga nazvo.

I spoke to him for two hours asking about the allegations and he said NO, vanoda chehuPresident vamwewo. Zvino kana vaine shungu yekuda chemberi ndiyo yovofira here?

When I said party yava nezvipfukuto vanoti ndakati zviisei gamatox zvino gamatox mumwe chete ndozvovofira here?

Our party is a revolutionary party, it was formed by many leaders who have died , I am one of them we didn’t  form the party for ourselves but for the people. We didn’t have that culture of fighting for positions ever since.

1309: Cde Mutasa tried to address the crowd but stopped due to heckling.

1308: He says they no longer have confidence in Jabulani Sibanda. He says they are disciplined and will never march to the State House as he pleads for new leadership before Congress.

1305: Patrick Nyaruwata is now on the podium representing war veterans. He says they have been troubled by Jabulani Sibanda and to say that his statements are not reflective of war vets’ sentiment. He adds that they are behind the elevation of Dr Grace Mugabe.

1258: President Mugabe comes to the podium amidst chants of “Gushungo” and beside him is Cde Didymus Mutasa. Representatives of war veterans say the leadership are using their wealth in vote buying and they are there  for three things being that noone will remove President Mugabe from power, secondly to support Dr Grace Mugabe and to demonstrate against the statements by Cde Jabulani Sibanda. Cde Gomwe said supporters had a torrid time coming as they were being harassed at police roadblocks.

1240: Cde Justice Mayor Wadyajena is now on the podium and says ” Tingafe here mayouths vamwe vachigovana vega…pasi nema 10 percent he says

1229: Didymus Mutasa took to the podium but faced resistance from party supporters gathered until Cde Chinotimba intervened saying “order kana vakuru vachitaura, nyararai” Cde Mutasa went on to say “Handiite pasi negamatox yamunondimanikidza, hamundimanikidzwe” before leaving the podium. President Mugabe is about to come out.

Cde Chinotimba addressing the crowd. (Pic by Lloyd Gumbo)

1204: War vets say those saying they don’t attend events where the slogan “Pasi neGamatox” is chanted should know that Zanu PF slogans do change with time.

1158: Cde Chinotimba is back on the podium and boasts “Ndinodiwa nevanhu ini…mukamisa Chinotimba naJabu anodiwa nevanhu ndiani?…Ndini nekuti ndakavhoterwa” in a swipe at Jabulani Sibanda. “Tichakanda vanhu vasingade Baba naAmai mudziva.. nhasi harizi zuva rezvichemo, we are in solidarity with the president”

1137:  According to Cde Chinotimba, President Mugabe is expected  to address the gathering anytime soon. He sings “Ukamuona  akadaro unofunga aribhoo mwoyo wake wakaora” in reference to sell outs. Provincial youth chairpersons are being introduced  and are all doing the popular slogan “Pasi NeGamatox”.

1129: “Hapana anotora chigaro chaGushungo, hamuzivi kwachakabva.”

Scenes outside Zanu PF HQ. (Pic by Lloyd Gumbo)

1128: Cde Chinotimba is back on the podium.

1121: President Mugabe has used the basement ramp entrance to enter the party headquarters.

1120: Sources say VP arrived earlier this morning and is already inside.

Space it fast running out at the Zanu PF HQ as supporters keep streaming in. (Pic by Lloyd Gumbo)

1117: President Mugabe arrives for the meeting and people start chanting “Gushungo! Gushungo!”

1115: Flora Buka, Cleveria Chizema and Sithembiso Nyoni arrive.

1109: Cdes Kembo Mohadi and Jacob Mudenda arrive for the politburo meeting.

Party supporters wave their placards. (Pic by Felex Share)

1105: Politburo members have started arriving.Provincial war veterans chairpersons are going into a closed door meeting as they prepare to address the people.

Cde Chinotimba meanwhile is on the podium and tries to maintain order among the youths saying “Musaite faninga Jabu imi, rongekai” and the youths respond “Ngaende ngaende Jabulani Sibanda”

Zanu PF supporters have thronged the party headquarters. (Pic by Felex Share)

1035: Thousands of Zanu PF supporters mainly youths, war veterans and women are gathered at the party’s headquarters  in Harare waving placards denouncing VP Mujuru and war veterans leader Cde Jabulani Sibanda.

The demonstration, being held just before a crunch Politburo meeting today, was organised by war veterans with a view to show President Mugabe that the party supporters are behind him.

The party supporters are holding placards written “Pasi ne 10 percent”,  “Jabulani puppet ya Dr 10 Percent”, “Pasi nemaChairman efake”, “Mavambo mumba mako iwe”.

A party supporter holds placard supporting First Lady Dr Grace Mugabe. (Pic by Felex Share)

Harare provincial youth chairman, Cde Godwin Gomwe, said the demonstration will show those harbouring presidential ambitions that President Mugabe is still in charge.

VP Mujuru has been accused of demanding 10 percent shares in companies among other sordid deals like illicit diamond sales and undermining the authority of the president.

More party supporters are coming and the venue is proving to be too small for the crowd.