Chiwenga warns ZANU PF against repeat of pre-coup machinations

Vice President Constantino Chiwenga has warned ZANU PF members against engaging in the same political machinations that led to the military coup that ousted President Robert Mugabe in November 2017.

Addressing the 23rd ZANU PF Annual National People’s Conference in Chinhoyi on Friday, 16 October, Chiwenga urged delegates not to forget the circumstances that gave birth to the Second Republic.

The Second Republic is the term used for the administration that came to power after the military takeover led by Chiwenga, which removed Mugabe in November 2017 and replaced him with President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Mnangagwa, who had fled to South Africa after being dismissed as Vice President by Mugabe, was installed as President reportedly on the understanding that he would correct the wrongs committed by Mugabe and his inner circle, the G40 faction.

Switching to Shona in his opening remarks, Chiwenga challenged delegates to reflect on the party’s direction.

“Why did the Second Republic come into existence? It was established to correct the bad things that occurred in the past. Are we going back to repeat the things that failed us? That is the question we must ask ourselves,” Chiwenga said.

He said the current moment requires the party to confront difficult realities.

“This beckons us to a brutal and honest self-appraisal. We must ask ourselves the difficult questions and confront uncomfortable realities,” he said.

“Are our resolutions truly coming from the people? Do our conferences authentically capture the voices of the grassroots? Do we truly understand the aspirations of our people?”

Chiwenga urged leaders to translate political declarations into tangible results.

“More importantly, how should we walk our talk this time around to serve our people better?” he asked.

He reminded delegates that ZANU PF is a people’s party, forged through the sweat, toil and blood of the masses, and said the party belongs to the people, never to individuals.

“We must listen to them attentively, for they are the ones who entrusted us with this mandate. We must be willing to introspect and engage in self-criticism when confronted with divergent viewpoints. In the same vein, we must also handle contradictions constructively,” he said.

“Let us not forget that the Second Republic was founded on the pursuit of renewal, reform and results-based governance and national development,” Chiwenga said, before inviting Mnangagwa to speak as the guest of honour.

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