Zanu PF’s annual conference opens today in Gweru at the imposing $6,5 million conference centre built in record time at a farm seized from a commercial farmer along the Gweru-Mvuma Road.
Editorial Comment
The imposing facility constructed by the Chinese, according to reports, has a 5 000-seat auditorium, and offices for the presidium and other heads of department. Zanu PF has been struggling to explain the source of funds for the building and the gathering provides the party’s leaders, who include President Robert Mugabe, the perfect opportunity to be accountable for once. Zimbabweans deserve to know the source of the money used in this project.
According to media reports, Zanu PF Midlands deputy provincial chairman Larry Mavhima, who has been the face of the extravagant project, said the money to build the facility was raised locally in the province.
He dismissed the widely-held views that the money was siphoned from the Marange diamond mines that have been under the spotlight for failing to meet their revenue targets.
Mavhima claimed that Zanu PF could be forced to reveal its source of funds because the centre was a private project.
The excuse is as preposterous as his claims that the facility is a boon for business in the Midlands. The fact that the conference centre itself was built at a winery seized from a white commercial farmer before it was run down speaks volumes about Zanu PF’s intentions. Zanu PF must be reminded that through the Political Parties (Finance) Act, the party is partly bankrolled by taxpayers who have a legitimate right to know how their money is spent.
Besides, Zanu PF is part of the inclusive government and through Mugabe exercises executive power, which makes the party accountable to all Zimbabweans.
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The least Zanu PF can do is to publicise their donors and leave Zimbabweans to determine whether the money was looted from the Marange diamond mines or not.
Those questioning the source of the funds are genuine because this massive investment by a political party is coming at a time when the inclusive government is struggling to pay its workers.
Companies in cities such as Gweru and Bulawayo are closing down every day leaving thousands of people jobless because they are struggling to access capital to breathe life into their operations.
So where did the $6, 5 million come from?
While at it, Mugabe also has another perfect opportunity to explain the source of the $20 million he used to buy agricultural inputs that Zanu PF is openly using as a bait for votes ahead of next year’s elections. Explaining these sticky issues will surely make the money being splashed on this conference partly worthwhile.
Gathering for four days merely to endorse Mugabe for another term and debating the indigenisation policy that promotes the seizure of thriving businesses at the expense of creating new enterprises will not benefit Zimbabweans.
