by Christopher Makaza

Zanu PF continues holding inter-district meetings country wide in preparation for the upcoming District Coordination Committees (DCC) elections scheduled before October 2020.

Several inter-district meetings were held in Manicaland, Mashonaland West, Masvingo, Matebeleland South and Midlands provinces between 12 and 13 September, this year.

These meetings were addressed by Politburo, Central Committee members and Provincial members.

Speakers at all the centres emphasised the need to follow rules and regulations guiding the conduct of the elections.

Addressing approximately 400 party supporters at Vengere Hall in Makoni district, Zanu PF Politburo member, Patrick Chinamasa said due to the Coronavirus voting would be done at selected party district stations after the vetting of candidates by the National Commissariat Department.

Cde Chinamasa stated that those who had not served the party for 5 years do not qualify to participate.

He also highlighted that the party would soon introduce electronic membership cards for easy capturing of information and identification of individuals.

In Mutare, Manicaland Provincial Secretary for Administration, Kenneth Saruchera noted that the formation of DCC structures was a directive from the Politburo, after it was observed that there was lack of coordination of party programmes between the party districts and the province.

In Mashonaland West, speakers directed District Chairpersons to start receiving Curriculum Vitaes (CVs) from interested party candidates and forward them to the district party offices before the 16 September deadline.

Party members who attended the inter-District meeting in Mash West were also informed that the new DCC structure, will now consists of 23 office bearers, including the Secretaries for War Veterans, Women and Youth Affairs.

Previously, the DCC structure had only 13 members.

The elections of the DCC members will be held using a secret ballot and no imposition of candidates will be tolerated. The DCC Executive will have a structure similar to that of a province, but in this case, there will be no positions for deputies.

The DCC’s were disbanded in 2012, after its members were accused of fanning factionalism within the party. However, the stability and unity of purpose brought to the party by President Mnangagwa has seen the re-introduction of the DCC’s to coordinate party business in their respective Districts.