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Nduduzo Tshuma Senior Political Reporter
ZANU-PF Matabeleland North is the only province in the region that has so far managed to raise the required $150,000 towards the hosting of the party’s Sixth National People’s Congress in Harare next week.

Party provincial chairperson Cde Richard Moyo yesterday said they had surpassed the target by more than $50,000 as more than $200,000 had been raised.

He added that the surplus would be used to construct party offices in Lupane.

Politburo members Dr Obert Mpofu and Professor Jonathan Moyo raised more than $100,000 and $80,000 respectively.

Other senior members chipped in with money, maize and beasts.

Each province is expected to raise $150,000, eight beasts and five tonnes of maize towards the hosting of the Congress.

“The target has been met, the money, maize and beasts. The money stands at way more than $200, 000,” said the Matabeleland North provincial chairperson.

Last Friday, Dr Mpofu said the Zimbabwe Defence Forces Commander General Constantine Chiwenga had promised to provide soldiers to build the party’s offices in Lupane with the remainder of the money. He said the army had also perfected the plan for the structure.

Bulawayo Zanu-PF provincial secretary for finance Cde Charles Chiponda yesterday expressed confidence that they would manage to meet the target at a fundraising dinner scheduled for this evening.

He said they had managed to raise the required amount of maize and five beasts.

“We bought a beast that we will auction at the fundraising dinner that we hope will give us money to buy two or more,” said Cde Chiponda.

On the monetary target, he said Politburo members were each expected to pay $500 towards the holding of the Congress with Central Committee members, parting with $250, provincial members forking out $100 and district chairpersons $5.

“On the fundraising dinner delegates to the congress will pay $10 each and members of the business community $20. Afterwards we expect to raise a substantial amount adding to the required total money,” said Cde Chiponda, who could not be drawn into revealing how much the province has raised so far.

He said over the years, fundraising usually kicks off at a slow pace but eventually the province meets its target.

Zanu-PF Matabeleland South acting provincial chairperson Cde Rapelang Choene could not be drawn into revealing the amount the province has raised.

“I can’t tell you how much we have now but we will hold a fundraising event on Saturday. I can only tell you afterwards how much we have raised,” he said.