Zanu PF congress endorses Mugabe candidacy

By Lance Guma
13 December 2007

A special congress of the ruling Zanu PF party on Thursday endorsed Robert Mugabe’s candidacy for the 2008 presidential election. Thousands of Zanu PF delegates descended on the venue in Harare to rubber stamp a decision already secured outside party structures. Mugabe bullied his challengers by organising a demonstration of ‘war veterans’ under the ‘million man march’ theme and all talk on the succession issue was banished. This however is despite deep resentment from his close lieutenants who feel he has overstayed in power and risks jeopardising the party’s chances in the election.

Political commentator Ibbo Mandaza who has close links to the Mujuru faction of the party, told The Daily Telegraph, ‘Right now 99 per cent of the country wants Mugabe to retire peacefully and enable Zimbabwe to move into a new era. That's a fact and that goes across the political spectrum. Zanu-PF has been reduced to the figurehead of one person and very far from what it stood for originally. I think those saying Mugabe should stay on are lying. If he was to retire tomorrow Zanu-PF would win a landslide,’ he argued.

Zanu PF’s congress has led to the disruption of train services between Bulawayo and the capital city. Press reports say train services from the 11th -14th of December have been cancelled to accommodate thousands of delegates travelling on the route. A notice at the station cites ‘technical problems’ but National Railways public relations manager Zephania Taruvinga told news site Zimonline they temporarily stopped carrying ordinary passengers to accommodate block bookings from churches and other groups. The ruling party however makes no distinction between state and party resources and regularly commandeers ZUPCO buses and NRZ trains for use by its members. Mugabe on the other hand occasionally grabs Air Zimbabwe planes at his whim.

Zimonline report that the train cancellations have left many passengers stranded as they relied on the service, which works out, cheaper to other modes of transport. A trip from Bulawayo to Harare by train costs Z$3 million, while private buses charge Z$12 million for the same journey. The build up to the congress has been dominated by accusations that Zanu PF secretary for finance David Karimanzira ordered provincial and district members to fork out Z$10 million each to be used to bankroll the congress. Just last month there were press reports that teachers in the rural areas were asked to contribute Z$300 000 each for the congress. The same arm-twisting tactics are used on the business community who are regularly bullied into donating to the party.

Meanwhile halls of residence at the University of Zimbabwe closed to students after being deemed unfit for human habitation are currently being used by Zanu PF delegates. A disgruntled student sarcastically told Newsreel it was either the condition of the halls was exaggerated or the current occupants (Zanu PF members) were not human. Pedzisai Ruhanya a Programmes Manager at the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition told Newsreel it was shocking for the authorities to display such hypocrisy and double standards. He said students at the UZ who are currently writing exams have to travel long distances while Zanu PF provides accommodation to its members to come and endorse an ailing ruler.