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Cde Chombo

Felex Share Senior Reporter
The zanu-pf Politburo meets in Harare today amid expectations that discussions will centre on security issues following violent demonstrations perpetrated by MDC-T, Zimbabwe People First and shadowy opposition groups seeking to effect illegal regime change.

The demonstrations have been condemned by various stakeholders.

Economic issues and preparations for the revolutionary party’s Annual National People’s Conference slated for Masvingo in December will also take centre stage.

Today’s meeting will be followed by a Central Committee meeting on Friday where robust discussions on issues affecting the party are anticipated.

zanu-pf secretary for Administration Cde Ignatius Chombo yesterday said President Mugabe would chair the two meetings.

“Both meetings start at 10am and we expect all members to be punctual,” he said. “As usual the agenda will first be known to party members and the media will be briefed on what would have been discussed.”

Zimbabwe has in the past few weeks witnessed violent demonstrations from opposition elements led by the MDC-T and Zimbabwe People First.

The demonstrations have been characterised by looting, destruction of property, burning of vehicles and abuse of innocent people.

Police officers on duty have not been spared as they have been attacked with catapults and stones.

Following the violent demonstrations, police moved in and banned demonstrations in Harare for two weeks, up to September 16, citing inadequacies in Section (26) of the Public Order and Security Act (Chapter 11:17) to prevent disorder being caused by such processions.

The ban became effective last Friday.

Police also banned the carrying of catapults and axes among other traditional weapons likely to be used to instigate violence.

Western embassies such as France and the United States have been fingered as the chief funders of these violent activities as part of their regime change strategy.

Said a source: “We also have pending disciplinary cases and expect them to be tabled. We also have an important conference on the cards in December and it is now time to see what is being done on the ground. Most importantly, as evidenced in every Politburo meeting, the issue of the economy is at the heart of the party leadership and we are going to touch on it.”

Last Politburo meetings have seen members going against the party line either being suspended or expelled.

The Disciplinary Review Appeals Committee of the Central Committee still has 27 cases to review and a determination is expected on them.

The outcome of cases of the three provincial chairpersons Cdes Joel Biggie Matiza (Mashonaland East), Ezra Chadzamira (Masvingo) and Kizito Chivamba (Midlands) is also expected to be announced today.