President Emmerson Mnangagwa has urged ZANU PF members to prioritise service delivery and shun corruption as the ruling party prepares for the 2028 harmonised elections.
Addressing the party’s Central Committee, Mnangagwa said:
“Party cadres serving as office bearers in local authorities and in the National Assembly are challenged to remain embedded in communities, addressing their needs through tangible and transformational projects and activities.”
He emphasised the need for ZANU PF to strengthen its grassroots structures and safeguard the trust it commands from the electorate. Mnangagwa said:
“We must never trivialise or take for granted the trust and confidence bestowed on us by the people when they resoundingly voted for our colossal party.”
Service Delivery Under Scrutiny
Despite the ruling party’s victory in the 2023 elections, many citizens have questioned whether pre-election promises have been fulfilled. Commitments to improve water supply, electricity access, road rehabilitation, and healthcare delivery remain partially met, with some projects stalling or progressing at a slow pace.
In urban areas, residents continue to grapple with erratic water supplies, poor waste management, and deteriorating road networks. In rural areas, although some development projects have been rolled out, such as borehole drilling and school infrastructure rehabilitation, the scale of delivery has not matched the expectations set during campaigns.
Mnangagwa, however, insists the ruling party must remain close to the people and attentive to their needs. He said:
“We must remain alert, raising the political consciousness of grassroots structures so that they are well informed to defend, safeguard and advance our national development agenda.”
Corruption As A Threat To Legitimacy
Corruption has long been cited as one of the major stumbling blocks to effective service delivery in Zimbabwe. Reports of abuse of public funds, inflated tender processes, and misuse of office have eroded public confidence in state institutions.
Mnangagwa warned party members against acts that alienate the people. He warned:
“He said corruption of any kind and excesses that alienate ZANU PF from the people can never be condoned. Integrity, discipline and unity, concern for the people and clean governance must be synonymous with ZANU PF.”
He further underscored the responsibility of the party’s leadership to enforce discipline. He reminded:
“As provided for in our party constitution, we have a duty to boldly and decisively deal with those who put the name of the party into disrepute.”
Promises And The Road TO 2028
Looking ahead, Mnangagwa made it clear that ZANU PF’s focus must be on consolidating grassroots support and ensuring the party is election-ready. He said:
“It is, therefore, of critical importance that we introspect as a party, not only with regards to our short-term activities, but also in view of the bigger objective of ensuring that our party resoundingly wins the 2028 harmonised elections.”
Observers note that while the ruling party has promised new strategies and intensified projects, citizens remain skeptical. Many argue that previous promises have often been recycled into new campaign pledges, with little measurable impact on everyday life. Others, however, believe that continued infrastructure projects, particularly in rural areas, could tilt the balance in favour of ZANU PF again in 2028.
Mnangagwa, meanwhile, maintained that the party is inclusive and open to all Zimbabweans willing to contribute to the nation’s progress.
As the nation edges closer to 2028, the central question remains whether ZANU PF will deliver on the promises made in 2023 or introduce new pledges while leaving old ones unfulfilled. Mnangagwa’s call for integrity, service, and unity sets a benchmark, but the extent to which these ideals translate into action will determine not only the ruling party’s fortunes at the polls but also the daily realities of millions of Zimbabweans.
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