The Sunday News
Leonard Ncube
THE Zanu-PF Women’s League yesterday called for the amendment of the party’s constitution to reintroduce the women’s quota system in the Presidium where one of the two Vice-Presidents must be a woman.
The League led by the First Lady Dr Grace Mugabe made the resolution at the party’s 15th People’s Conference, giving a timeframe of next year for implementation of the resolution.
Former Vice-President Joice Mujuru was the first female VP to assume the office in 2004 following a resolution by the Women’s League at its annual conference to put forward a female candidate for the party’s vice-presidency.
Dr Mujuru, who had filled the post after the death of former Vice-President Simon Muzenda, was deposed last year following allegations of attempting to overthrow President Mugabe.
A thematic committee on Women’s Affairs which was chaired by Dr Mugabe resolved that the party revive the quota.
“Your Excellency, as a committee we have resolved that the party reinstates the previous position that one Vice-President be a woman and this should be done by 2016,” said the Women’s League Deputy Secretary Cde Nomthandazo Eunice Moyo as she read the resolutions.
The committee also called for the amendment of the country’s Constitution to allow for the extension of parliamentary quota system for a 50-50 representation.
“There must be a 50-50 representation by 2016 and the national Constitution must be amended to extend the women parliamentary quota system until such a time when women are fully empowered,” said Cde Moyo.
The committee also advocated for a law against early child marriages to protect the girl child from sexual abuse.
Nine thematic committees, chaired by Politburo members discussed critical issues and reported back to the conference.
These included the thematic committee on Women’s Affairs, state of the party, agriculture, food security and nutrition, infrastructure and utilities, value addition and beneficiation, liberation war heritage, poverty eradication, youth affairs and social services, and sports, culture and religion.
On the state of the party, Cde Saviour Kasukuwere who is the National Political Commissar said they resolved that the party’s First Secretary President Mugabe is the candidate for 2018 elections.
He said the committee resolved that the party’s grassroots structures be strengthened through a myriad of measures that include denouncing tribalism, nepotism and corruption — vices which were passionately condemned at the conference.
“As a committee we resolved that President Mugabe continues to be the First Secretary and candidate for 2018. We also unanimously agreed that the First Lady should continue to get support from all party structures.
“We are concerned about lack of discipline in the party and have resolved that stern measures be taken against those who show indiscipline. We identified corruption as a challenge as some comrades are buying positions yet people should be allowed to choose people they want,” said Cde Kasukuwere.
After making his presentation, Cde Kasukuwere invited provincial chairpersons to update the conference about the state of affairs in each province.
They all backed President Mugabe as the candidate for the 2018 harmonised elections while also promising to win all parliamentary seats.
Cde Dennis Ndlovu of Bulawayo said the province was working on mobilising members so as to grow structures, adding that this was manifested by the winning of some seats in the metropolitan province after more than a decade. The seats were won in by-elections held this year.
He said the province was guided by the late Vice- President Dr Joshua Nkomo’s call for unity.
While the conference which ended with the official closing ceremony by President Mugabe yesterday tackled factionalism in the party, Mashonaland Central chairman Cde Dickson Mafios blamed Politburo members for causing factions.
“There is no factionalism in districts and provinces but it is there in the Politburo. We respect them but they take advantage. We are tired of Politburo members because they don’t know their boundaries. They want to promote their factions and some of them have been disciplined and they go to other provinces to talk badly,” said Cde Mafios drawing applause from the more than 6 000 delegates.
The host chairman, Cde Richard Moyo of Matabeleland North, said factionalism was a non-event in the province, and President Mugabe in his closing speech commended the province for being exceptional.
Cde David Parirenyatwa who presented resolutions on behalf of the thematic committee on agriculture called on the party to come up with strategies such as irrigation schemes, improving production and mobilise resources to strengthen the agricultural sector to fight drought.
Cde Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri who chaired the social services committee appealed for a revitalisation of the cadetship scheme in colleges and speeding up of implementation of the National Health Insurance Scheme.
The infrastructure and utilities committee chaired by Cde Jorum Gumbo called for implementation of a Joint Venture Bill that would accelerate triple Ps and prioritisation of projects which can be completed per given time.
Cde Sydney Sekeramayi (liberation committee) said plans were underway to set up a database for war veterans as a way of ending corruption and fraud.
Cde Sithokozile Mathuthu (sports and culture committee) called for equal opportunities on all sporting disciplines and cultural practices in the country.
The conference was held under the theme “Promoting people’s power through Zim Asset”.
