The Vice Chairman of the party in the province, Rtd Lt General Mike Nyambuya, last week pleaded with youths not to dump the party after they expressed dissatisfaction over the promises that were made by the party leadership in the past.
Zanu (PF) youths in the province have said they would jump ship to join the MDC party led by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai complaining that they had not benefited from the party.
The youths said they were promised mining claims in the province and some shares in the Zimunya-Marange Community Share ownership Trust and complained that they were yet to benef from the Indigenization programme that has been spearheaded by Savior Kasukuwere who is the Zanu (PF) Indigenization and Empowerment Minister.
They claim that they were promised some stakes in various targeted companies, adding that they were particularly concerned by the alleged looting of diamonds in Chiadzwa by influential people from outside Manicaland.
The Secretary General of the Marange Youth Empowerment Trust, John Kaisi, who is a Zanu (PF) youth member, said the promises given to youths and people of Manicaland during the launch of the Zimunya-Marange Community Share Ownership Trust had come to naught.
“We were promised claims in Chiadzwa and Penhalonga as part of initiatives to empower us. But up to now we do not have anything to show. They only want us when we approach elections and this time we are saying no,” said Kaisi.
Gerald Muusha the Secretary General for Vadiki Tavekupfuma Empowerment Group said: “It is disheartening that whilst diamond mining should benefit the masses, some of our top leaders whom we should look up to are the ones that are looting and diverting the much needed proceeds to unproductive and selfish personal avenues.”
He added that it was sad that while the country was bleeding due to a plethora of problems such as massive unemployment: “some individuals were looting the national resources in broad daylight for a selfish agenda.”
Another Zanu (PF) youth from Sakubva said: “Instead of walking the talk about total empowerment, our leaders have chosen to deny the masses the right to equitably share our new national cake. There is need to share the cake equally.”
The Manicaland Youth Assembly another wing of Zanu (PF) said the party was being weakened by corrupt party officials. “Our party leaders are corrupt to the core,” said Pemberai Marudza, who is the secretary for information and publicity.
“They are involved in the massive looting of resources all over the country. This is at the expense of the people,” he said adding that corruption and looting of resources was making it difficult for Zanu (PF) to regain the respect of people who voted against the party in 2008.
He said youths were being sidelined from the corrupt deals by the big chefs who continue to amass wealth while the majorities continue to suffer under difficult economic conditions.
“Youths have no decent accommodation. They are disgruntled because they cannot access bank loans or afford to pay for their education as chefs are looting everything,” said Marudza.
Addressing an inter-party district conference in Makoni last week Nyambuya feared that Zanu (PF) would lose the forthcoming elections if the party failed to address the concerns of the youths.
“There is no way we can leave out the youths. If we do not take them on board we will be digging our own grave. Let us persuade them to come back to the party,” he said.
Nyambuya added: “If we go into the elections without first solving the youth’s concerns and also not have found solutions to the divisions in the party, we will lose the election.”
He added: “We have to remember that the youths constitute a larger number of voters and it is with this reason that we should take them on board.”
Zimbabwe Ambassador to Cuba John Mvundura is the new Manicaland Provincial Chairman. He is deputised by Nyambuya who is touted as the main actor who was given the task to lead the province.
Post published in: News