(Last Updated on December 14, 2015 by Editor)
ZIMBABWE – VICTORIA FALLS – Zanu PF says it has put in place tight security ahead of the official opening of its conference amid fears some expelled members were spotted in Victoria Falls on Thursday.
President Robert Mugabe only arrived in Victoria Falls just before 8PM yet he was initially expected at 3PM, ahead of the official opening of the 15th People’s Conference Friday morning.
The ageing 91-year-old earlier officiated at a graduation ceremony at Midlands State University, the institution’s second within 30 days.
Meanwhile, politburo members and Central Committee members arrived in the resort town in the morning ahead of the official opening this morning.
About 6, 000 party supporters are expected at the conference and bus loads were still arriving Thursday evening from the 10 provinces.
Addressing journalists soon after arrival on Thursday morning, national commissar, Saviour Kasukuwere, said no unaccredited individuals would be allowed into the conference venue.
Security is tight. We will not allow anyone who is not accredited into the conference, he said.
Factional politics
We are here for a conference and not on a fishing expedition. Those who came for a fishing expedition in the party will not be allowed entry.
Kasukuwere said the party, which expelled more officials this week as the conference started in Harare, would stop at nothing to discipline wayward members.
We have made it clear that if you dabble with factional politics and if you become a destabilising force in the party because of pursuing factionalist agenda, we will deal with you, said the local government minister.
We dealt with issues of factionalism. The first lady addressed all those issues in her rallies and we are happy that order has been restored as we have cracked a whip on those that were undisciplined.
That’s the reason why some have been suspended while others have been expelled. You are aware that this year we started dealing with those comrades who were expelled and some who were suspended and accepted their fate.
We must have discipline in the party; we must ensure there is discipline. The party will not keep quiet; the party will not sit back and allow indiscipline to prevail.
Kasukuwere also reiterated Zanu PF’s stance that President Mugabe was its ultimate leader.
Mugabe in charge
The President is in charge of the country, he said.
He is doing a fantastic job and the country is growing; we have no problem with him in charge.
The Chinese visit, the Victoria Falls Airport and the road in Harare show that he is doing a great job.
Kasukuwere said Zanu PF was getting stronger by each day, adding this was confirmed by the party winning parliamentary seats that were once occupied by the opposition MDC-T in by-elections held a few months ago.
He said they were geared to win the Nkulumane Constituency elections set for next week. The seat fell vacant following the death of Thamsanqa Mahlangu (MDC-T).
The theme for the conference is Consolidating People’s Power through ZimAsset, and the economic blueprint which promised to create two million jobs will be at the centre of discussions.
Kasukuwere defended the blueprint saying people should not have expected the jobs to be created within one year.
He said he recent visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping was testimony of how President Mugabe was making frantic efforts to make the economic blueprint achieve its goals.