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Zanu-PF central committee member Cde Philip Chiyangwa addresses party members in Plumtree yesterday

Sukulwenkosi Dube Plumtree Correspondent
ZANU-PF members have been urged to reconcile with former colleagues who stand accused of being sympathisers of fired Vice President Joice Mujuru. Addressing Bulilima cadres at a meeting in Plumtree yesterday, Zanu-PF central committee member, Cde Philip Chiyangwa said only four party members were expelled for plotting against President Mugabe and the rest should not be labelled as Gamatox.

Cde Chiyangwa was holding a consultative meeting with Bulilima party members in preparation for a verification process to strengthen the party which starts today.

“Out of all the party members who were accused of conniving against the President only Jabulani Sibanda, Temba Mliswa, Rugare Gumbo and their mastermind Didymus Mutasa were expelled from the party,” said Cde Chiyangwa.

“This means that we should not label the remaining party members as Gamatox because that will only destroy the party.”

He said those who had not been expelled must be viewed as party members.

Cde Chiyangwa said the party had procedures that would help deal with any plotters. He said the only enemy which Zanu-PF had was the opposition. He said the party had members occupying top positions who once strayed.

“I myself at one time was viewed as an enemy of the party but I have risen to a top rank. Cde Jonathan Moyo was once labelled as ‘Tsholotsho’ after he strayed from the party but he now holds an influential position,” said Cde Chiyangwa.

“People like Mutasa might have done wrong now but that is in the past. Let’s desist from shouting slogans and statements that will discourage our party members from attending meetings.”

Cde Chiyangwa said as the party was heading towards the 2018 elections it had to be united.

He said leaders at various structures should ensure that every party member was respected.

“This exercise that we’re doing isn’t for the purpose of pointing fingers at each other or to debate on who is wrong. Rather our role is to audit the records of cell members,” he said.

“We want to ensure that the people who are listed in these records really exist and we want to see their ID cards to ensure this.”

He said this would help ascertain the number of party members in the area.

The massive audit and verification exercise started recently in the country’s 10 provinces with Politburo-led teams dispatched in all the 10 provinces to spearhead the process.

Politburo member Professor Jonathan Moyo, is leading the team which was deployed to Matabeleland South Province.

Cde Chiyangwa is leading a verification team which begins the exercise in Bulilima today.

According to a circular addressed to leaders of the verification teams by the Secretary for Commissariat Cde Saviour Kasukuwere all teams that have been deployed nationwide are expected to complete the exercise by the end of April.

Team leaders are expected to submit a complete record of provincial party structures to the National Political Commissar after completing the exercise.