Staff Reporter
The ruling ZANU PF party today strongly warned its officials to desist from releasing press statements ostensibly on behalf the party without prior consultation and authorisation from the Party Headquarters’ relevant departments.
This comes in the backdrop of some party officials having released statements inconsistent with the party’s policy direction, one case in point being the recent sanctions discourse.
In a statement today, ZANU PF National Political Commissar (NPC), Dr Mike Bimha, condemned Party officials, such as Harare Provincial Political Commissar, Kudakwashe Damson, for discussing Party business with the media without authorization.
“The Party notes with concern that certain Party officials and members have taken to releasing statements on behalf of the Party on major issues without prior consultation or authorization. Recently, the press was awash with comments made by the P.C. for Harare Province (Damson) on prospective by- election dates and the restructuring exercise without the authority of the Department of the Commissariat. This is a pre-emption of Party decisions and is unacceptable,” said NPC Bimha.
He added: “Other examples obtain, notably, the commenting by Party officials on the new sanctions regime by the United States of America. This was done without consultation or authorization, and it led to a garbled message, which was corrected when our President and First Secretary, His Excellency, President E. D. Mnangagwa, made a statement regarding the matter thereof.”
Moreover, the NPC emphasized the importance of discipline within the party, reiterating that the party's Department of Information and Publicity served as its sole official mouthpiece.
“While we acknowledge the revolutionary zeal to defend and represent the Party, we, however, urge discipline in our conduct. Party members are reminded that the Department of Information and Publicity and, or Heads of Departments, are the officially mandated to speak on behalf of the Party on policy issues and the decisions thereof,” he said.
In concluding, the National Political Commissar warned members not to assume roles that are not theirs to avoid misleading and causing unnecessary confusion amongst party members.
