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Patrick Chitumba, [email protected]

Zanu-PF has confirmed Cde Edson Chakanyuka Chiherenge as the substantive provincial chairperson for Midlands. He will be deputised by Cde Lewis Matutu.

The new appointments were done over the weekend in Gweru.

Cde Chiherenge had been acting as provincial chairperson following the resignation of Cde Larry Mavima who was appointed as a Commissioner in the Public Service Commission (PSC).

Prior to that, Cde Chiherenge deputised Cde Mavima. Cde Chiherenge said he will continue working for the party adding that the province has identified numerous projects under the Second Republic, which it will implement to ensure achievement of an upper middle-income society by 2030.

“We are running around identifying all projects done by the New Dispensation under the able leadership of our President, Cde Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa. Through the office of the Minister of State for Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Cde Owen Ncube, these are being monitored so that the province envisions an upper middle-income society by the year 2030,” he said.

Cde Chiherenge said the projects include road rehabilitation; construction of schools, clinics and hospitals as well as borehole drilling and energy provision.

Cde Matutu said with the new deployment, he was willing to serve the people of the Midlands province with everything at his disposal for the growth of the party.

Cde Lewis Matutu.

“In my view this is a very important assignment, a clear sign that the leadership has confidence in the young generation. I’m very happy because I have been given an opportunity to learn more about real grassroots politics as I work towards self-development,” he said. 

“Midlands province is a very busy province and one is exposed to a lot of experience when you’re a vice chairman.”

He said Engineer Daniel Mackenzie Ncube, the late Cde Goodwill Shoko, the late national hero Cde Richard Hove and Cde Joram Gumbo have gone through the same process in the province. 

Cde Matutu said Vision 2030 will be a reality in the Midlands province because of unity and oneness that prevails.

“There is a need to keep growing our GDP as a province by ensuring that establishing more industries, infrastructure development and supporting our mining and agriculture,” he said. 

“We are going to massively push for the empowerment of women, youth and the war veterans of the liberation struggle because we have the resources in the province. A united Midlands has potential to do great.  As the vice chairperson it is my responsibility to unite the province towards a common vision and purpose for the good of the nation as we seek to our national vision, Vision 2030,” said Cde Matutu.