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Ranga Mataire, Zimpapers Politics Hub
AS expected, the just-ended Zanu-PF Annual National People’s Conference was dominated by economic issues as reflected in the resolutions agreed upon by the delegates at the close of the meeting.

In an era where former liberation movements are facing an onslaught from Western nations keen on installing pliable regimes in countries they once colonially dominated, Zanu-PF has been able to deflate such an onslaught by ensuring implementation of pro-poor and pro-majority politics.

Experiences across the region show that former liberation movements that have been in power since attaining their respective independence from colonial powers, have been able to do so by delivering on their electoral promises, empower institutions, actively promote a culture of accountability and transparency within their party ranks and pursue economic reforms.

Such deliberate actions have been critical for the survival of national liberation movements as a dominant force in the politics of their respective countries. Conscious of the imperative of delivery,
Zanu-PF has ensured that it focuses more on the growth of the economy during its just-ended indaba in Bulawayo.

Strengthening ZiG power

Showing its serious intent of increasing the buying power of the local currency, ZiG, the Zanu-PF conference directed the Government to take serious measures to strengthen the purchasing power of Zimbabwe’s currency in order to entrench its usage.

Zimbabwe Gold

The reasoning behind ensuring the firming of the local currency is to pave the way for the eventual de-dollarisation meant to ensure that the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) becomes the sole tender in the country.

But for the de-dollarisation to happen, the party suggested wider circulation and availability of ZiG in all denominations.

Zero tolerance to corruption

The conference resolved that the Government decisively deal with the corruption scourge. It directed the Government to curb money laundering, speculation and arbitrage on the parallel market, including the criminalisation of activities of economic saboteurs, errant manufacturers, retailers and other service providers. More deterrent measures or penalties need to be instituted to curb the scourge of corruption. The Government was encouraged to come up with a robust zero-tolerance legal framework against corruption and also synchronise and coordinate all fiscal and monetary policies in order to stabilise the economy.

Promote indigenous players in mining

A call was also made by the delegates to formulate a set of incentives and other support measures to promote indigenous participation in the mining sector. Government was directed to amend the legislation on exclusive prospecting orders (EPOS) to allow other players to prospect in the area covered by EPO. The issue of EPOs has been a thorny issue in the mining industry. Some EPOs have been held since 1908 on a purely speculative basis barring genuine miners from prospecting in the areas. As a way forward, the Zanu-PF conference resolved to put in place a policy of “use or lose it” to prevent mining entities from holding claims for speculative purposes.

It appears much of the time was spent on the mining sector given its significance in the broader scope of the economy.

Mineral exports account for about 60 percent of Zimbabwe’s export earnings and the mining sector contributes around 16 percent of the national development product (GDP).

Government was directed to devise programmes and mechanisms to revive all closed mines through innovation, modern technology and funding frameworks. Instead of resettled farmers working up with prospectors on his or her land, the farmers should be given the right of refusal in mining claims.

Intensify modernisation of infrastructure

While appreciating the Government’s efforts in infrastructure development, the conference resolved that such efforts must continue being expedited to intensify the upgrading and modernisation of irrigation and power generation infrastructure at existing water bodies.

There was also a call to revitalise the Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (Rida) to strengthen the development agenda. Delegates agreed that there was a need to speed up the roll-out of e-government services including e-learning services.

Social Amenities

Conscious of the malpractices within the distribution chain of food relief, Zanu-PF delegates urged the Government to strengthen monitoring mechanisms and ensure efficiency and transparency in the distribution of drought relief to all vulnerable citizens. But for this to happen, the delegates reasoned that there was a need to expedite the operationalisation, including digitalisation of the National Disaster Management Centre.

On pensioners, delegates tasked the Government to review public and private pension policies to improve and safeguard the welfare of pensioners and the parameters of strengthening all pension funds as guided amongst others by the Justice Smith Commission report.

A more specific call was on Lupane where delegates urged the Government to complete the construction of Lupane Provincial Hospital including the development of Lupane as the provincial town of Matabeleland North.

Liberation War Heritage

Delegates urged the Government to expedite the vetting of outstanding war veterans of the liberation struggle including the gazetting of names of war veterans of the struggle and make timely payments of appropriate gratuities and issue recognition awards.

There was also a resolution made to accelerate the renaming of provinces and do away with colonial names which divide the nation. In order to ensure the dignified burial of liberation war heroes and heroines, the Government was directed to implement a policy that guarantees state-assisted burials.

State of the Party

On the state of the party, delegates agreed there was a need for more synchronisation of party policies that inform the operations of Government including the recognition of the supremacy of the party.

As a party conscious of the technological advances taking place in society, delegates suggested the speedy digitisation of its cell and village registers to ensure credible party voters’ roll during elections so as to minimise election related disputes.

Another important resolution was on declaring July 1 as a public holiday in honour of the late Father Zimbabwe, Dr Joshua Nkomo.

The late Vice-President Dr Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo

A more crucial resolution, which featured in all the thematic committees was the suggestion that the President and First Secretary, His Excellency, Cde Dr ED Mnangagwa’s term of office as President of Zimbabwe and First Secretary of Zanu-PF be extended beyond 2028 to 2030.

All in all, the resolutions are a reflection of a party in touch with all facets of society — from business, social welfare of ordinary citizens to global issues especially the issue to do with finalisation of the land issue and the financial obligations of Britain as the former colonial power.