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Nqobile Tshili, Chronicle Reporter
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa yesterday implored Zanu-PF supporters to secure the party’s victory in the 2023 harmonised elections by registering to vote as well as mobilising support for the ruling party.

The country is expected to hold harmonised elections between July and August next year and the revolutionary party is targeting five million votes.

Zanu-PF National People’s Congress last month endorsed President Mnangagwa as the ruling party’s President and First Secretary for the next five years.

He was also confirmed as the ruling party’s sole Presidential candidate in the coming polls.

The President said this while addressing a multitude of Zanu-PF supporters who had gathered at the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport in Bulawayo to welcome him.

President Mnangagwa landed shortly before 7PM to a rousing welcome from party supporters who chanted revolutionary songs.

The President will today commission Caledonia Mining Corporation’s Blanket Mine Central Shaft in Gwanda, Matabeleland South.

Thereafter, he will also commission several Public Service Commission (PSC) buses which are expected to contribute to easing transport challenges faced by civil servants.

President Mnangagwa said the ruling party was guaranteed to rule the country as long as party supporters cast their votes.

“How many people do we have who registered to vote? May those who registered to vote lift your hands? If we want Zanu-PF to remain in power we should register to vote,” said President Mnangagwa to a thunderous applause.

“We are going to have elections next year. Each one of you has a duty, the duty is on yourselves to register in order to be able to vote.”

President Mnangagwa said each Zanu-PF member is expected to mobilise new members to the party to secure its rule.

He urged Zanu-PF supporters to adhere to the party’s ideology. The ruling party launched a school of ideology meant to equip party members with party virtues and norms.

Herbert Chitepo School of Ideology is aimed at raising political and ideological consciousness while fostering unity within its structures and membership.

“Your chairman Cde (Jabulani) Sibanda tells you that each one of you must bring at least five new voters. So, we must listen to what he teaches you because he teaches you the party’s doctrine,” said President Mnangagwa.

“There is no other party in this country which fought for this country except for Zapu and Zanu. So, all of us, each and every Zimbabwean should keep the legacy of Zimbabwe.”

He said while opposition parties are busy wailing, Zanu-PF is confidently ruling the country.

“We preserve the country’s heritage and legacy by voting Zanu- PF. Kumele iZanu-PF ibuse ize ibuse, labana abanye bekhala, bakhale baze bakhale thina sibusa (This will ensure Zanu-PF continues to rule while the opposition continues moaning while we rule),” he said.

The President gave the supporters a snippet of today’s programme stating that he will be commissioning projects at Caledonia Mining Corporation as well as new PSC buses.

President Mnangagwa said Bulawayo province is expected to receive some of the new buses.

Blanket Mine this week launched a 12-megawatt solar power project which sustains its operations in line with the country’s shift towards investments in clean energy sources in keeping with global climate-change adaptation and mitigation commitments.