Staff Reporter

The ruling ZANU PF party has announced that only seasoned party members with a proven track record would be allowed to contest in the upcoming Central Committee elections as the revolutionary Party seeks to assemble a winning team ahead of next year's polls.

In a statement yesterday, ZANU PF National Political Commissar (PC), Cde Mike Bimha said that candidates aspiring to stand for election into the Central Committee must have served the Party for at least 15 years.

“In this regard, candidates aspiring to stand for election into the Central Committee must have served in the Party structures for a period of not less than 15 consecutive years, five of which one must have served as Provincial Executive member,” said Cde Bimha.

Cde Bimha added that Central Committee candidates must not have been subjected to criminal conviction or insolvency in the past five years. He added that the candidates must not have been found guilt and convicted by the Party disciplinary proceedings during the past five years.

According to Cde Bimha, aspiring candidates must first be vetted and cleared by the National Elections Directorate prior to campaigning for the Central Committee positions.

Cde Bimha added that the Provincial Elections Directorates (PEDs) should meet on 17 and 18 September 2022 to receive and deliberate on all the CVs and submit them to the Party Headquarters on 19 September 2022 with comments and recommendations.

The National PC further directed that in considering the CVs, PEDs should take cognizance of the fact that the Central Committee is a highly esteemed policy and decision-making organ of the Party. As such, its members should be individuals of integrity with a known and traceable record of membership in the Party

Meanwhile, the Party will hold its elective congress in October 2022 with a new Politburo executive expected to be announced by President Mnangagwa.