HARARE - The just-ended Zanu (PF) congress confirmed the financial paralysis that the party is in. Previous congresses have been a kaleidoscope of colour with delegates putting on new and bright party regalia, but this time around nothing of that sort was on display. Most of the delegates were wearing old t-shirts, worn out shirts and dresses from the previous congresses. Apart from the senior officials who could afford to have their own tailor-made garbs, the congress was a far cry from the fashion fiesta that it had come to be known for. President Robert Mugabe tried painstakingly to tell the world that his party was in a stable financial position.
The merry making and five star meals that had become the hallmark of the party congresses are a thing of the past. Delegates could be seen walking into town from the Harare International Conference Centre (HICC) to look for food and drink. The party postponed the congress on several occasions before settling for December 9-12 after securing funding. There were rumours that the Chinese, who recently bought the Harare Central Prison, bailed the party out.