Harare (New Ziana) – President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Saturday rallied the ruling Zanu PF party to ‘wrestle’ vacant council and National Assembly seats from the opposition in the 26 March by-elections.
Last week, President Mnangagwa proclaimed by-elections to be held in over 100 wards, parliamentary and Senate Constituencies.
Addressing the Zanu PF Politburo meeting, President Mnangagwa implored the ruling party to reclaim all the seats left vacant either by deaths of its members or recalls that were made by the opposition.
“As you may be aware, I recently made a proclamation with regards the holding of by-elections on the 26th of March 2022.
“This meeting gives us an opportunity to interrogate the state of readiness to reclaim the vacant Senatorial, National Assembly and Councillors seats arising out of deaths of our members.
” Equally we must wrestle from the opposition the vacant Senatorial, National Assembly and Councillors seats arising as a result of opposition recalls, deaths and squabbles,” he said.
He said victory was certain for Zanu PF due to cracks in the opposition.
“Our citizens in the vacant Constituencies and Wards have expectations, wishes and aspirations and are yearning for ZANU PF representation. We must answer to their cries and provide leadership guided by our tenets of servant leadership. In this regard, all wings of the Party are exhorted to escalate the mobilisation of our membership to vote for our Party.
“We want to defeat them in the upcoming by-elections and in the general elections next year,” he said
Turning to the internal polls to select candidates who will represent the party in by-elections, President Mnangagwa said he expected the party to follow the guidelines and procedures that govern and inform primary elections.
“This will enable us as a Party to come up with capable, agile and ideologically rooted candidates.
“The candidates who represent the Party must be keen and ready to promote, safeguard and defend the ideals of the Party as envisioned in our Constitution, Manifesto and Conference Resolutions. Remember ZANU PF is a people’s Party and people join our colossal Party on the basis of its principles, values and norms. No one can claim ownership and sense of entitlement of the Party, ” he said.
He warned against violence and vote buying in the Zanu PF primary elections scheduled for later this month.
“The Party remains supreme. Hence, as we hold our primary elections, the values of unity, peace, discipline and loyalty must continue to be upheld at all times. Acts of violence and political chicanery, sowing divisions will never be tolerated.
“We are a Party that has a rich revolutionary legacy and let no one at any stage of our development seek to undermine or destroy this history. This history should continue to distinguish us as the home of the People’s Revolution and Party of choice,” he said.
President Mnangagwa said Saturday’s meeting must enable Zanu PF to reflect on the resources required to ensure an outright win.
” In this regard, the Commissariat Department must take a lead in the development of robust strategies for a resounding victory. As leaders at Politburo and Central Committee level, we must provide leadership by addressing lower structures, ensuring unity and that everyone is pulling in one direction which is aimed at accelerating the achievement of Vision 2030, “he said.
He added :” Finally, Comrades, the ideals of our revolution, unity, loyalty, patriotism, discipline and respect of our Party must continue to strengthen the Party, more so now as we put more effort in improving the quality of life of our people and winning the forthcoming by-elections in March and the 2023 General Harmonised Elections. ”
New Ziana
