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Joseph Madzimure Senior Reporter

ZANU PF has postponed this year’s first Central Committee meeting in an effort to control the spread of Covid-19.

Speaking at the Politburo meeting yesterday, President Mnangagwa said the Central Committee meeting, which had been scheduled for this week had been postponed until further notice.

“As you are aware, our party’s constitution obligates us to meet as the Central Committee at least three times a year, in ordinary session. The practice is that our meetings are held at the end of every quarter. Hence, this Politburo meeting would ordinarily be followed by the Central Committee meeting.

“However, due to the prevailing circumstances and the measures we have put in place to avert the spread of Covid-19, the scheduled meetings of the Central Committee stand postponed until further notice,” said the President.

He challenged the party leadership to lead by example in the fight against the pandemic.

“As the party leadership we must lead by example by continuing to practice social distancing, it is in that spirit that we are holding this meeting in this hall as opposed to our usual venue,” said President Mnangagwa.

President Mnangagwa said a raft of measures had been put in place at Government level.

“On the 17th of March 2020, we declared Covid-19 a national disaster.

“This declaration gave us the legal basis to unlock certain resources and put in place measures that would not be possible under a normal situation.

“Since then the global pictures have been shocking and devastating both in terms of loss of life and impact on the global economy.

“The entry of the pandemic into our own jurisdiction together with the ever-increasing infections and deaths worldwide has led us to review our situation in order to strengthen our defences.

“I therefore announced on Monday 23rd March, more elaborate measures meant to curtail the spread of the virus as well as mitigate the impact of the virus on our population and the economy in general,” said President Mnangagwa.

President Mnangagwa appealed to the citizens to exercise social responsibility.

“I continue to appeal to our citizens to exercise social responsibility. Those involved in the manufacturing and trading of essential commodities such as masks, sanitisers, among other items are dissuaded from charging exorbitant prices,” he said.

He said Government has released additional resources towards the procurement of safety clothing.

“We are grateful to the many health services personnel who are at the frontline of addressing this pandemic. Their concerns and those of the nation have been noted and will be addressed,” he said.

He challenged party members to adjust their lives and party activities accordingly in the wake of this lethal health threat.

“As Government we will continue to ensure that there is a continuous supply of grain and other essential commodities,” he said.

He urged senior party members to disseminate the correct information about Covid-19.

“At party level let us continue to disseminate the correct information about Covid-19 as well as the appropriate messages of reassurance and hope to our people.

“Let us always be guided by the true spirit of Ubuntu/Hunhu in all our actions and speech, by rebuking opportunists who may want to gain some perceived political mileage from this health catastrophe. Covid-19 knows no political affiliation, social class or ethnic group. We must all stay safe,” said the President.

Some of the measures put in place to control the spread of coronavirus are border controls.

The President said borders would remain open to essential traffic.