Zanu PF: All chiefs hold party positions
by: Bulawayo Correspondent
In his quest to have what he calls targeted sanctions against Zimbabwe lifted by President Trump and the United States, how does Patrick Chinamasa explain this hugely electoral fraud which also amounts to human rights abuses by Mugabe and Zanu (PF) fraudsters to President Trump through Ms Carol J. O’ Connell (please see below)
ZANU PF Makonde legislator Kindness Paradza has claimed that traditional leaders are office bearers of the ruling party, adding they influence their subjects to vote for it during elections.
Addressing the Bulawayo Press Club last Friday, Paradza who is also the chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Media, Information and Broadcasting Services, said contrary to the constitution which states that traditional leaders should be apolitical, all village heads hold positions in Zanu PF’s structures.
Chapter 15:2 of the constitution states that ‘Traditional leaders must not be members of any political party or in any way participate in partisan politics, act in a partisan manner, further the interests of any political party or cause or violate the fundamental rights and freedoms of any person’.
However, Paradza claimed; “A cell is a village and, usually, we say you headman you are the chairperson of that cell.
“A cell has 50 people and so we are saying you are a village head and therefore you are members of Zanu PF.
“Because the rural people love their party so much, they will say headman you go in front and we will follow you because we love our party.”
Paradza, a former journalist, said his party is guaranteed at least 50 votes from each village across the country.
“So, already if you have got 50 people who have Zanu PF membership cards, we know that at this village we have 50 votes already.
“So, these are the people (traditional leaders) who make it easier for everyone to say we are supporting Zanu PF. People will simply say we are following our sabhuku (village head).
“That’s what we do and people enjoy that. Where I come from in Makonde people enjoy that.”
Paradza also confirmed that his party has been assisting illiterate people to vote for Zanu PF.
“Others will say ininini handikwanise kuvhota so please put an X for me. That is allowed,” said the MP.
The former Financial Gazette journalist also defended the politicisation of Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) impounded goods by the First lady Grace Mugabe.
“The First Lady is on record saying she gets some of the goods from ZIMRA which she donates to people at rallies. It is not a secret. She has been open about this.
“So, these are goods which, instead of going to an auction, are given to the Ministry of Welfare to distribute to vulnerable people. The problem is you young people you do not understand how the country is run.”
Asked to comment about President Robert Mugabe’s ability to continue running the country at the age of 93, Paradza claimed that the veteran leader is still fit.
“Whether disabled or old but he is our leader. So, if you are not a member of Zanu PF please do not bother us. It’s simple as that. You have your own Tsvangirai (Morgan) who is suffering from colony cancer.
“Tsvangirai is now sick but MDC-T supporters continue supporting him. We have not said anything about that. Our 93-year-old is fit and we are happy about that.”
Paradza was, in 2014, suspended from the ruling party for allegedly trying to assassinate President Mugabe. He was re-admitted last in December last year.
Story from : NEWZIMBABWE.COM NEWS:
Published On: Wednesday, June 07, 2017 4:02 AM GMT
https://www.newzimbabwe.com/news/news.aspx?newsID=37582
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