Zanu-PF central committee members were summoned to State House in Harare on the eve of the party’s 22nd national people’s conference in Mutare, Manicaland, where they received sleek twin-cab vehicles ahead of the proceedings.
The conference, which officially opened with a politburo session at the party’s Harare headquarters on Tuesday, is set to be formally launched by President Emmerson Mnangagwa tomorrow. Sources told NewsDay that although the vehicles had been planned for months, their release just before the conference raised eyebrows amid internal party tensions over a resolution made in Bulawayo last year seeking to extend Mnangagwa’s tenure beyond two terms.
“The release of these vehicles is quite interesting since there are people who are going to make noise at the conference calling for Mnangagwa to stay in office beyond 2028,” a party insider said. “It is strategic for the ED2030 movement, which we are going to see dominating the conference in Mutare.”
Zanu-PF has about 64 administrative districts, each represented by two central committee members, including ex-officio members, meaning approximately 230 vehicles were distributed ahead of the conference. Some members reportedly scrambled to find drivers at the last minute, but sources suggested the gesture would make opposition to the term-extension resolution difficult.
However, political commentator Ruben Mbofana dismissed claims that Mnangagwa had outmaneuvered opponents. He argued that power within Zanu-PF has historically relied on military backing rather than popular support, citing the party’s leadership history from Ndabaningi Sithole’s removal to Mugabe’s ousting and Mnangagwa’s ascension.
Addressing the 128th session of the central committee, Mnangagwa framed the vehicle distribution as a tool to strengthen party engagement at the grassroots level.
“You have received the vehicles because you are leaders of the party. The party is the people,” Mnangagwa said. “If the party is for the people and you came from the people to lead them, the party has given you the vehicles to work with the people.”
He called on committee members to ensure discipline, focus, and national interest guided their deliberations and urged them to channel discussions toward improving the lives of citizens and implementing people-centred policies.
Mnangagwa also highlighted the party’s achievements in overcoming Western sanctions and advancing economic development, emphasizing the need for constructive debate and sharper strategies to implement high-impact programmes.
He further expressed concern over the loss of loyal party cadres, noting, “It is disheartening that we continue to lose the gallant sons and daughters of the soil at a critical time when we need loyal and patriotic cadres dedicated to serving their country.”
The Mutare conference, held against the backdrop of internal debates over Mnangagwa’s term extension, is expected to be closely watched for how the party navigates both loyalty and succession dynamics.
Source – NewsDay
