The Sunday News
Vusumuzi Dube in Lupane
ZANU-PF Matabeleland North and various Government Departments yesterday vowed to join hands to develop the province touted as one of the poorest in the country. Speaking during a Zanu-PF Provincial Co-ordinating Committee meeting held in Lupane the party’s provincial chairperson, Cde Richard Moyo, said it was critical that the two join hands as it was vital for the development of the province.
He said this was more critical when noting that the country was approaching the 2018 elections hence the need to push for developmental issues in the province.
“This was meant to be a special meeting where various heads of departments present brief the party what they have done in the province. We want them to be clear on progress which has been made in various spheres so that we are up to date with development happening.
“As you all know that we are approaching 2018 where we will be having our next elections, therefore it is such issues that have to be addressed as a matter of urgency. We must see to it that the Government Departments are pulling one way with the party not a scenario where there is some friction,” said Cde Moyo
He said the party has since directed that all Government Departments present give detailed reports which will be handed over to the provincial administrator, Ms Latiso Dhlamini who will then forward them to the party’s provincial leadership.
“These reports will be scrutinised at a provincial executive committee meeting after which the heads of departments will be called back to present in front of the whole province where they will be grilled. Some of the issues that will be looked at will include the drought situation, social welfare, we would want the Civil Service Commission to update us on progress made in terms of employment. We will also look at the state of Hwange Colliery,” said Cde Moyo.
Speaking at the same meeting, Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs Minister Cde Cain Mathema said it was crucial for all departments to work together noting that there were a number of projects underway to develop the province.
“As you know the province has 749 017 people with 91 percent living in the rural areas and the remaining nine percent in the urban areas. We have had a serious problem in terms of the drought situation of which 86 500 are receiving food handouts. Of these just over 10 000 are participating in the food for work programme. What I must emphasis is that we still need more because the food which we have falls short of our actual needs but we are working towards improving this situation,” said Cde Mathema.
He said the province was also working on issues to address water problems.
“I have always said that each and every household must have a piped water system. I know it appears to be ambitious but as long as I am the Provincial Affairs Minister and I sit in the party’s Politburo, I will ensure that in Matabeleland North we have everyone having a working toilet flushing system,” said Cde Mathema.
Also present at the meeting were Speaker of the National Assembly Advocate Jacob Mudenda, Minister of Small and Medium Enterprises and Cooperatives Development Cde Sithembiso Nyoni, Deputy Minister of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Cde Thokozile Mathuthu, among other senior Government and party officials.
