Mayors Invited to Zanu PF Ideology Training
Politics Zimbabwe

Mayors Invited to Zanu PF Ideology Training

In a controversial move, the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works in Zimbabwe has extended an invitation to all mayors and council chairpersons across the country, including those from the opposition Citizens’ Coalition for Change (CCC), to attend an indoctrination session on Zanu PF ideology.

Key Points:

  1. The training will be conducted by the Chitepo School of Ideology, a institution known for its ties to the ruling Zanu PF party.
  2. The session is scheduled to take place from August 21 to 23, 2024, at the Rainbow Towers in Harare.
  3. The invitation circular, dated August 16, 2024, was signed by a ministry official identified only as K. Ncube.

Justification for the Training

The ministry’s circular emphasizes several points to justify the training:

  • Local Authorities are considered the third tier of government with devolved service delivery mandates, as per Section 5 of the Constitution.
  • The training is presented as crucial for achieving Vision 2030 and aligning with President Mnangagwa’s “Call to Action, No-Compromise to Service Delivery” blueprint launched on November 1, 2023.
  • The ministry deems it “pertinent for Local Authorities to be exposed to the ideals of national security and patriotism” as taught by the Chitepo School of Ideology.

Reactions and Concerns

NewZimbabwe.com reports mixed reactions from invited officials:

  • Some mayors have expressed reservations about attending what they view as a “Zanufication” event.
  • However, there are indications that many will attend, primarily to claim travel and subsistence allowances they are entitled to.

Implications

This invitation raises questions about the separation of party and state in Zimbabwe’s local governance structures. The inclusion of opposition party members in a ruling party ideological training session is particularly noteworthy and potentially controversial.

As the date of the training approaches, it remains to be seen how many officials will attend and what impact this session might have on local governance in Zimbabwe. The move is likely to draw criticism from opposition parties and civil society organizations concerned about the politicization of local government structures.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *