by Tawanda Musariri
President Emmerson Mnangagwa this morning fulfilled the Zanu PF tradition of addressing the Central Committee of the party ahead of the annual people's conference. The conference runs from the 11th to the 16th of December in Esigodini, Matabeleland South.
In his keynote address to the Central Committee, the party's First Secretary and President implored members to be loyal to the party in unity so as to sustain the party into the future. He abhorred corruption, extortion, disunity and greed.
President Mnangagwa encouraged the 300 strong member Central Committee members to acquaint themselves with party and Government policies in order to arm themselves with satisfactory responses to frequently asked questions.
The President went on to teach the party congregation the theme to the 17th National People's Conference which reads, 'Zimbabwe is open for business in peace and unity. Towards an upper middle income economy by 2030.'
In his lecture, the President said, "In the 2019 national budget, Government has allocated $310 million to devolution. This means each province will get at least $31 million for development purposes. This money must not be wasted or shared among a few individuals. It is meant for provincial development. Gone are the days of corruption. Every one of us has a duty to report corruption.
"Each province must identify its areas of production advantage. This will anchor its economic development," said President Mnangagwa.
On the speculation over a Government of national unity comprising of the MDC, the President dismissed street talk of the existence of negotiations to form a GNU. He said the ruling party had received more than 66% of the vote and that it had a clear mandate from the people for the next five years. He dismissed those harbouring a GNU idea to be day dreaming.
The President expressed confidence in the Zanu PF Government saying they had the able backing of experienced former Government ministers who are now employed full time by the party at its headquarters.
In his new look cabinet, the President brought in new faces and employed long time ministers like Cde Obert Mpofu to work as the party's chief administrator at the Zanu PF HQ. He said with such experienced hands, the party will never be left wanting in its walk in Government.
The President and First Secretary went on to challenge the party to do introspection of its strength and weaknesses in order to identify areas of opportunity born out of the need to strengthen the party going forward.
The President, who addressed the Politburo yesterday, was accompanied to today's meeting by the First Lady Amai Auxilia Mnangagwa, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, National Chairman Cde Oppah Muchinguri and Secretary for Administration, Dr Obert Mpofu.
