Zanu PF mobilises support for indigenisation
http://www.theindependent.co.zw/
Thursday, 14 April 2011 21:17
Brian Chitemba
ZANU PF has tasked its politburo members to visit every province to mobilise
party supporters to back the indigenisation programme in what has been
widely viewed as an election campaign by the former liberation movement.
According to some politburo members, a resolution was passed at last month’s
politburo extra-ordinary meeting where President Robert Mugabe instructed
senior party members to roll out the programme before September.
Mugabe and Zanu PF are currently pushing for elections to be held in
September despite squabbles over the drafting of an election roadmap by the
three parties which form the coalition government.
Zanu PF is expected to launch its indigenisation drive in provinces next
week in the same manner that it launched the anti-sanctions campaign.
The party is set to hold primary elections in May and the indigenisation
push is seen as mere electioneering.
Spokesman Rugare Gumbo confirmed that senior party officials had been
mandated to spearhead the indigenisation push in the provinces.
“We will be explaining the procedures and need for our party members to
participate in the programme. The whole process will kickoff next week and
we want Zanu PF members to benefit from the country’s resources,” said
Gumbo.
He defended the move saying it would empower disadvantaged Zimbabweans and
denied criticism that the controversial policy was being used as a Zanu PF
campaign tool.
“We have always been champions of empowerment with or without elections. Our
aim is to give resources to the majority of Zimbabweans so that they control
their wealth rather than depend on wages,” Gumbo said.
A white businessman revealed that some Zanu PF bigwigs were targeting
white-owned gold mines just outside Bulawayo as well as businesses in the
city.
“We have been receiving all sorts of proposals from top Zanu PF officials
seeking to partner us but we don’t trust these guys. We have suspended
operations for now until further notice because of the so-called
indigenisation threats,” said a white businessman who owns a gold mine in
Inyathi.