Staff Reporter

The ruling ZANU PF party held a meeting yesterday with its affiliates in a bid to promote unity and prepare for the 2023 Harmonised General Elections.

In that meeting, the Party’s National Political Commissar (NPC), Cde Mike Bimha said that as the Party, they felt that there was need for the affiliates to be taught protocols and procedures of the Party to avoid problems ahead of the 2023 elections.

“We have had so many of these organisations coming forward wanting to be affiliated, but we felt that because of the numbers, it’s important that we make sure that they are all aware of the procedures to be followed for them to become affiliate members of the party. We need to have their constitutions which guide their operations. We need to know the office bearers of these organisations,” said Cde Bimha.

 The NPC added that the affiliate organisations were free to operate in accordance with their constitution and founding values but they should not go against the Party rules and dictates. Cde Bimha added that there was need for the Party to constantly interact with the affiliates in order to get to know each other better.

Cde Bimha castigated some affiliate organisations who only want to get affiliated for the sake of getting financial assistance. The NPC added that the Party was not in a position to offer loans or financial assistance to affiliate organisations as the same services were being provided by Government.

 All affiliate organisations in attendance vowed to work around the clock to ensure ZANU PF’s victory in the forthcoming plebiscite. Varsity Students for ED (VAS4ED) secretary for information and publicity, Abel Karozwa said that they appreciated the meeting with the Party leadership and vowed to ensure that the Party wins in the next elections.

“Our duty as affiliates is to assist the Party in mobilising the five million voters. As VAS4ED, we will mobilise all university students to rally behind President Mnangagwa and ZANU PF in the forthcoming elections. Victory is certain for ZANU PF,” said Karozwa.

Meanwhile, representatives from over 60 affiliate organisations attended yesterday meeting. The affiliate organisations included Teachers for ED, Young Women for ED, Men BelievED, and Vapositori for ED, Diaspora for ED, Soccer Legends for ED, Lawyers for ED, Varakashi for ED, Single Mothers for ED, Protocol for ED and Cross Border Traders for ED, among others.