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Joseph Madzimure-Senior Reporter

ZIMBABWEANS are the key focus of the ruling Zanu PF party as it delivers on its promises and they should in their numbers reject violent machinations from malcontents who are bent on advancing foreign agendas and are now rejecting the will of the people as freely expressed in the August harmonised elections, President Mnangagwa has said.

Addressing the 370th ordinary session of the Politburo at the Zanu PF headquarters in Harare yesterday, President Mnangagwa said some elements in the opposition, sponsored by Western nations that imposed illegal sanctions on Zimbabwe, cannot stand the victory of Zanu PF and dream of causing mayhem in the country.

Zanu PF won the August 23 elections by a landslide, much to the chagrin of Western countries who were sponsoring the opposition.

Having lost the elections, the opposition and its handlers are contriving to cause mayhem in the country under the guise of freedom of expression, but authorities are alert and will not allow that to happen.

“It is unfortunate that some within our country’s body politic are still in denial that elections are over and behind us. I call upon the people of our great country to reject those bent on advancing foreign agendas. Our Zanu PF Government shall never allow malcontents to cause mayhem in our peace-loving nation.

“We remain alert and vigilant to all machinations. The Politburo and party leadership in general are urged to remain resolute and continue fostering adherence to the correct line of the party, across all structures,’’ said President Mnangagwa.

He said despite the sideshows, Zanu PF is determined to continue uplifting the standards of living for Zimbabweans towards Vision 2030, to become an upper-middle-class economy.

“As we convene our party’s 20th National People’s Conference, the people of Zimbabwe are our primary focus. We thus continue on the unstoppable course to lift many more of our people out of poverty into prosperity, leaving no one and no place behind. Our revolutionary development is irreversible and success is certain,” President Mnangagwa said.

Today, Zimbabwe will join the rest of the progressive world to mark the SADC Anti-Sanctions Day, which is being held under the theme, “Harnessing the Youth for Accelerated Socio-Economic Development in the Fight Against Sanctions”.

And the President yesterday told the Politburo that the economic sanctions that were imposed on Zimbabwe as punishment for the land reform programme are illegal and should be lifted immediately.

“We are grateful for the unflinching comradeship from SADC who continue to champion the Anti-Sanctions Solidarity Day since the 39th SADC Summit held in Tanzania, in 2019,” said President Mnangagwa.

The Ordinary Session of the Politburo marks the commencement of the 20th Zanu PF National People’s Conference which will be officially opened on Friday this week in Gweru, Midlands Province by the President, who is also Zanu PF First Secretary.

The conference will run under the theme, “Towards Vision 2030 through Devolution, Industrialisation and Modernisation”.

President Mnangagwa speaks during a Politburo meeting flanked by his deputies Cdes Constantino Chiwenga (left) and Kembo Mohadi.

The theme, President Mnangagwa said, is timely and must give impetus to the party to re-calibrate its strategies and policies for the speedy attainment of Vision 2030.

“Therefore, this 20th National People’s Conference cannot be business as usual, but must result in qualitative policy guidance and direction to our party’s internal structures as well as those of Government. It is my expectation that this theme has been shared with all party structures and other stakeholders, to allow for broader insights and comprehensive resolutions” he said.

“Zanu PF entrenches constitutionalism, procedures and rules. We are a party of discipline and order. Our proven organisational capacity must provide the requisite bedrock and guidance as we finalise the hosting of a successful 20th National People’s Conference. The conference must review the progress being made in the implementation of policies and programmes for the consistent socio-economic growth trajectory of our country. I hope all departments of the party will focus on self-improvement in accordance with the mandates as outlined in our party constitution.”

President Mnangagwa commended party structures across all provinces for convening their inter-district and provincial conferences which are critical building blocks for the National Conference.

He commended the ongoing campaign processes for the pending by-elections in Matabeleland North, Midlands, Mashonaland West, Masvingo, Bulawayo and Harare Provinces.

Zanu PF recently won the Makoni District local authority by-election.

“I congratulate the Manicaland provincial leadership in general for our party’s convincing victory during the Makoni District local authority by-election. The win for Zanu PF has shown that our mass revolutionary party remains popular with our grassroots communities as the only party that can deliver development and a higher quality of life for the majority of the citizenry. We thank our people for their unwavering support for our colossal party,” said President Mnangagwa.

“The continued delivery of people-centred results and the culture of wholeheartedly serving our people, coupled with the party’s unmatched mobilisation abilities must see us resoundingly winning other impending by-elections.

“Guided by our national development philosophy,” Nyika inovakwa, igotongwa, igonamatirwa, nevene vayo/ Ilizwe lakhiwa, libuswe, likhulekelwe ngabanikazi balo, we must never waiver in the convictions, principles, sense of value and self-belief that are now synonymous with our colossal mass party, Zanu PF.”

As the summer cropping season approaches, President Mnangagwa said there is a need to ensure land preparations are scaled up across all communities.

“The summer cropping season is upon us. Let us take the lead as the People’s Party by ensuring that land preparations are scaled up across all communities. Our people must take advantage of the timely distribution of inputs under the Pfumvudza/Intwasa Programme for a successful summer cropping season. The projected El-Nino should not dampen our communities and farmers.

“At the Government level, the use of Meteorological Reports, early warning systems and co-ordinated extension services will continue to be availed for the benefit of our farmers,” he said.

The President urged the party leadership to keep communities informed and mobilised to play their part in Government’s ongoing programmes to modernise and industrialise the economy.

 “This is anchored by the domestic resources, skills and capacities which exist in our beloved motherland, Zimbabwe. We must remain masters of our own destiny and independent in our thoughts and actions.”

The success of the Engagement and Re-Engagement Policy, he said, is evident and bearing positive results. 

President Mnangagwa recently received investors from the United Kingdom, Egypt and the Republic of Korea who are pursuing various investment opportunities.

“As a country it is critically important that we must remain agile and guided by our national interest to adapt and mitigate the risks of external socio-economic and political shocks. Hence we shall remain guided by our policy that Zimbabwe is a friend to all and enemy of none, on a win-win basis.

“Our country shall never bow to parent-child or master-servant tactics, which some hegemonic powers attempt to impose. We shall forever remain ourselves, independent, proud Zimbabweans and Africans,” he said.

President Mnangagwa called on the party leadership to ensure that Zanu PF safeguards the unity, peace and hard work ethic that is taking root in the country.