TICHAONA KATSVAMUTIMA IN CHINHOYI
Newly-elected Zanu PF Mashonaland West chairperson Mary Mliswa-Chikoka has ordered members to wear party regalia at the governing formation’s meetings as she stamps her authority barely a month after taking over the top seat.
Failure to wear party regalia at its meetings attracts a fine of US$10, Mliswa-Chikoka told recently elected provincial leaders during the inaugural joint council meeting in Chinhoyi.
“When attending a PCC meeting make an effort to wear regalia whether it’s a scarf or something that symbolises the party, let’s keep regalia in our bags, failure to wear a regalia you pay a fine,” Mliswa-Chikoka said.
“It’s your duty as secretaries for finance to start mobilising funds within the members with no party regalia, they pay a fine of US $10.”
Mliswa-Chikoka who is also Mashonaland West Minister of State for provincial affairs and devolution defied the odds to become the first female provincial chairperson for the governing Zanu PF.
She romped to victory after defeating Information Deputy Minister Kindness Paradza, former Zanu PF Mashonaland West youth league leader Vengai Musengi and ex-ZBC chief executive Happison Muchechetere.
In the women’s league polls, Constance Shamu came out victorious, while Tapiwa Masenda clinched the chairperson post of the youth league.
Mliswa-Chikoka said she was geared to steer the party’s mobilisation drive ahead of by-elections set for March this year as well as the 2023 harmonised elections.
“Everything is on go we have no time to waste the by elections dates have been announced we are going to verify the restructuring and we have a mobilisation team everyone has energy and we are all excited,” she said, adding that primary elections for the party will be held on January 16.
However, Zanu PF members have mixed feelings over the remarks by the incumbent chairperson Mliswa-Chikoka.
“It’s good leadership. We must lead by example so party regalia should be worn to show love and that we are proud of our party,” said the party’s District Coordinating Committee Chegutu Chairperson Brian Chinyama.
Zanu PF Women’s League Mashonaland West Deputy Political Commissar Joyleen Munduna said: “Those who were elected at provincial level means that he or she is a senior member who understands what it really means, I think it’s a noble idea to market the party at this time we are heading for by elections.”
Zanu PF Mashonaland West provincial office Administrator Phanuel Chikomba said wearing party regalia showed love and is another way of marketing Zanu PF.
However, a Zanu PF member who spoke on condition of anonymity said members must not be forced to wear party regalia and Mliswa-Chikoka should have encouraged people to wear regalia and not set a fine.
“For example the meeting can be called while I am coming from a funeral or some event and I don’t have the US$10. So does it mean that I will not attend?”
The recent Zanu PF Mashonaland West joint council meeting had a false start following disturbances by disgruntled members who were barred from the meeting.
The meeting was meant to officially hand over the reins of power to newly-elected chairpersons of the three-party organs.
The appointees to the Zanu PF Mashonaland West main board are; Tavengwa Mukhuhlani (vice-chairperson), Misheck Nyarubero (administration secretary), Gilbert Chibayamagora (transport), John Yotam (commissariat), Alexio Mutyambizi (security), Vangelis Haritatos (finance) and Godknows Murambiwa (information), among others.
The PCC, which will transform into an elections directorate, is reportedly set to meet soon to endorse or nullify the appointments as well as deliberate on complaints from the just-ended provincial polls, particularly from Chakari and Makonde districts.
