Itai Muzondo
Chivi – The Zanu PF party, which is currently in panic mode after many of its followers left to join opposition parties like the Zimbabwe People First (ZimPF) and other civic organisations calling for change, is now considering recruiting school children.
Speaking during belated Zanu PF victory celebrations in Chivi Central, Zanu PF Provincial Chairperson, Amasi Nenjana urged party leaders to look everywhere for support in order to revive waning party fortunes.
“Here in Ward 17 and Chivi at large, we know families that have a revolutionary background so we have to visit such families and recruit their children into the party so that we sustain our legacy. Let’s get into schools and look for those who are mature and recruit them as well. They might not fit in the structures but they have a place in the main wing.
“During last week’s primaries in Bikita, some women failed to vote, a situation which is very bad for the party. They failed simply because they had not been recruited so I urge you to approach new faces you see in your area and recruit them. Mukanzwa kuti kwanhingi kwaita mwenga, svikai pamba ipapo mupinze mwenga iwowo kumusangano (If you here that there is a bride in your area, quickly visit that home and recruit that bride into the party so that we maintain a good following),” he said.
Zanu PF has a reputation of using unruly recruitment tactics in rural areas with those unwilling to join the party being denied food relief handouts and are often subjected to political violence.
The party is also known for politicising public institutions like the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) Registrar General’s offices, District Administrator (DA)’s offices and Social Welfare offices.
“You should also know that only Zanu PF representatives have access to food. If you vote in an opposition leader, the GMB will simply tell them that they are going for lunch and he will not be helped. Opposition leaders will always return empty handed because, unlike Zanu PF, they do not have the means,” Nenjana said.
Chivi Central MP Ephraim Gwanongodza said the celebrations were not for campaign purposes but to thank the community for supporting Zanu PF.
“In Shona they say kandiro kanopfumba kunobva kamwe (something for something) so after you filled the Zanu PF plate with votes, we had not yet filled your plates back and thus the reason why we are holding these celebrations today.
I am simply thanking you on behalf of the President and the party for voting in a Zanu PF councilor, MP and President in 2013.
“We thank you and we urge you to do the same come 2018. Delays in holding these celebrations have been caused by my busy schedule but I will always stick to my word as I have always done,” Gwanongodza said.news