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Cde Machaya

Patrick Chitumba Midlands Bureau
Its all systems go for the Midlands Presidential Youth Interface rally, the seventh such event, scheduled in Gweru’s Mkoba suburb tomorrow.

It has been a hive of activity in Gweru as youths and provincial party leaders worked to ensure a flawless event. Party members yesterday expressed confidence that the province will host an unprecedented bumper crowd.

The province is targeting to mobilise 120 000 party supporters for the rally. The Midlands Presidential Youth Interface Rally will be held at an open ground behind Mkoba Teachers College along Hamutyinei Road.

Gweru youths yesterday held a clean-up campaign in the city and will today have a procession ahead of the rally.

Briefing the Provincial Co-ordinating Committee (PCC) meeting chaired by Foreign Affairs Minister, Cde Simbarashe Mumbengegwi, the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Cde Jason Machaya said everything was now in place for the President’s rally.

“Renovations at the Community Information Centre (CIC) have been completed and the computers have arrived,” he said.

“The layout plan is in place and tents have been pitched. Water connections are complete, while pitching of toilets is in progress.

“Eight ambulances, 118 health workers, including four doctors have been mobilised to attend to members of the public, as well as VVIPs.”

Cde Machaya said they had secured over 70 000 litres of fuel for more than 100 buses, 200 trucks and 300 commuter omnibuses.

He said the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) availed 18 wagons to ferry supporters from Mberengwa, Zvishavane, Mvuma, Lalapanzi, Munyati and Kwekwe.

“We can safely say that we are ready to meet the President,” said Cde Machaya. “This will be the mother of all interfaces as we target 120 000 people.”

Midlands Provincial Medical Director Dr Simon Nyadundu said 30 plastic bins and 30 mobile toilets would be at the venue.

“In terms of health and safety, we are on alert and ready to attend to any case,” he said.

“The 120 000 people we expect constitute a medical services district. We have seven ambulances positioned to act as treatment points. There will be a tent which will be monitored by a doctor.”

NRZ board chairman Cde Larry Mavhima said trains would be provided for people from Mberengwa, Zvishavane, Mvuma, Lalapanzi and Kwekwe. Zanu-PF Midlands youth chairperson Cde Prosper Machando said youths were ready to meet President Mugabe.

“The youths are cleaning up the city as we speak and tomorrow (today) we are having a procession and carnival,” he said. “Our youths are much disciplined and will not disappoint.”

President Mugabe has so far addressed six highly-subscribed Presidential Youth Interface Rallies in Mashonaland East, Manicaland, Masvingo, Matabeleland North, Mashonaland West and Matabeleland South provinces.