Story by Gay Matambo
ZANU PF says it is ready to retain local authority seats in Chiredzi Central Constituency which fell vacant after recalls by Citizens Coalition for Change Interim Secretary General Sengezo Tshabangu.
A ZANU PF Masvingo Provincial Coordinating Committee meeting held in Chiredzi this Saturday saw Masvingo Provincial Chairperson, Cde Robson Mavenyengwa revealing that the party’s mobilisation teams are on the ground to drum up support for the impending local authority by-elections.
“We called you here in Chiredzi because we have by-elections in two wards in Chiredzi Central. We have Ward 6 and Ward 7. The wards were CCC-led but the councillors were recalled because we all know of the confusion that reigns within CCC. We are taking that opportunity and we want to retain those seats.”
ZANU PF Politburo member Cde Lovemore Matuke urged party members in Chiredzi to work hard to ensure the ruling party retains Ward 6 and 7 seats.
“There are people who are always speaking ill of their country and we need to correct that and love our country. Let us go out there and acquire knowledge to develop our country. President Mnangagwa always says Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo. Let us all work to also retain the local seats in wards 6 and 7 and develop those areas.”
Meanwhile, the Masvingo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Ezra Chadzamira also unpacked several developmental projects earmarked for this year in the province.
“In Masvingo Province, the sectors which will contribute to its development include tourism, mining, agriculture human capital development and innovation, digital economy, housing delivery, social protection, devolution and decentralisation. These are the sectors we are looking at and if we achieve that then our province will be developed.”
The meeting also saw the Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, Professor Amon Murwira highlighting the impact of the higher and tertiary education sector in the development of Masvingo province.
“We are focusing on building our country through heritage-based education. In Masvingo Province under technology development, we have the Mapfura Amarula beneficiation in Rutenga, GZU Innovation hub which specialises in making several products from our own resources such as the hute wine and tsubvu jam.
“We also have the GZU Innovation Centre for Dry Land Agriculture in Chivi. This Centre is already impacting cropping mechanisms to deal with harsh weather environments.”
After the meeting, the party’s leadership took time to campaign for the ruling party’s local authority candidates in Chiredzi who are contesting in the forthcoming by-elections set for the 3rd of next month.