The ZANU PF Manicaland executive has affirmed its backing of President Mugabe to stay at the helm of the party and also endorsed Politburo member, Cde Oppah Muchinguri, as their candidate for the position of secretary for women’s affairs at the national people’s congress to be held in December.

The party leadership hailed President Mugabe as a resolute and steadfast leader, despite his persecution and vilification by the former colonial power, Britain and her allies.

It was agreed during the Provincial Co-ordination Committee meeting held in Nyanga last Saturday that ZANU PF required President Mugabe’s steadfast, tried and tested leadership to steer the country out of the turbulent environment.

The party also ordered the youth wing - through the stewardship of their respective DCC to elect cadres to represent them in the national youth executive and also resolved that any mining company that wins the contract to explore diamonds at Chiadzwa should involve the people of Manicaland at all levels because the resource should benefit locals.

The provincial youth and women leagues; the provincial executive, DCCs, Central Committee, Politburo and National Consultative Assembly members, ex-detainees, war collaborators and war veterans - who make up the Provincial Co-ordination Committee - attended the Nyanga meeting that endorsed the four resolutions.

In an interview on Wednesday, the ZANU PF secretary for information and publicity, Cde Kenneth Saruchera, said although the party had not taken a position on the other three members of the Presidium, it had endorsed President Mugabe as the first secretary and leader of the party.

“We need to safeguard Zimbabwe’s sovereignty; otherwise everything we fought for will be in vain.

“The various organs that make up the PCC solidly threw their weight behind the leadership of President Mugabe.

“It was in view of such, the whole house anonymously and equivocally passed this resolution endorsing President Mugabe as the candidate for the party’s first secretary and President position.

“It was noted with appreciation that President Mugabe is a totally committed and unwavering revolutionary whose excellent leadership qualities have united the party and the nation. At this juncture in our own history and revolution, any challenge to his leadership will be divisive and therefore will not be tolerated,” said Cde Saruchera.

“We have not taken a position on the other members of the Presidium. There is a due process where provinces will submit nominations for the two vice-presidents and national chairman positions. The position for now is only for the President and first secretary of the party. This is very critical in view of the current situation - where the country is going through serious challenges,” he said.

Cde Saruchera added that the PCC endorsed the proposal by the women’s league for Cde Muchinguri to continue leading the wing, considering the tremendous and tangible achievements in the advancement of women and gender equality.

“We highly commended the current income generation projects being organised for women under her tutelage. We will continue supporting the GNU, but will continue to monitor it to ensure that national objectives are not compromised,” said Cde Saruchera.

The PCC, Cde Saruchera said, reaffirmed Manicaland’s support for the three principals to the Global Political Agreement for leading the country in observing peace, unity and for promoting the ideals of national healing, reconciliation and integration.

He urged supporters of all political parties and their leadership to support the peace and reconciliation initiative.

(Source)