ZANU PF’S national people’s conference began in Harare yesterday with the party’s politburo meeting held at the party headquarters, setting the stage for what experts say will be an explosive indaba.
The party will also hold its central committee meeting at the same venue today.
The people’s conference comes at a time when there are divisions within the ruling party over plans to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s stay in office to 2030.
Mnangagwa’s constitutionally-mandated two terms end in 2028.
In his opening remarks at the politburo meeting, Mnangagwa took a jibe at people he accused of attacking the party and government-led programmes.
“Shame, shame, shame on all those who are denigrating our national interests and ongoing people-centred projects and programmes,” he said.
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“We are Zanu PF and will not be deterred. We reject the harmful characterisation of our party and country.”
Mnangagwa also bemoaned the rising cases of criminality often claiming the lives of young people and children, including ritual murders, sexual violence and abuse, among others.
“We are a nation where the sanctity of life is honoured, celebrated and preciously safeguarded. Those who have a propensity to take advantage of our national character trait have no place in our country,” he said.
Mnangagwa said the conference, which was moving to Mutare with delegates expected to travel tomorrow, was not routine, but presented structures with another opportunity to consolidate the aspirations, ideas, observations and recommendations of Zimbabweans.
He implored politburo members who will chair committees of various conference agenda items to ensure that issues are thoroughly debated.