Zanu PF congress summary (Day 3)
The Harare Civic Grounds, which were renamed Robert Mugabe Square, resembled a beehive on Thursday as thousands of ZANU-PF party cadres turned up for the official opening of the 6th National People’s Congress by President Mugabe.
Although the congress proceedings kicked off on Tuesday with a Politburo meeting, it was President Mugabe’s official launch in the presence of more than 12 000 delegates which signified the start of the actual congress.
Below is a summary of what happened
12:30 – President Mugabe arrives at congress venue. He is seated at the high table with his wife Grace, Jacob Mudenda, Edna Madzongwe and S K Moyo.
Didymus Mutasa and VP Mujuru are absent.
12:32 – Acting Zanu PF Harare chairman Goodwills Masimirembwa tells delegates that Nicholas Goche, VP Joice Mujuru, Didymus Mutasa and Ray Kaukonde wanted to topple Mugabe.
He thanks Grace Mugabe “for coming to work with us and plucking the seeds of discontent that had been sowed.”
He says “pasi nevanoda kuroya president and his family.”
12:38 – Webster Shamu is themaster of ceremony while S K Moyo is chairing the congress.
12:39 – S K Moyo asks provincial chairs to introduce themselves.
12:40 – Dickson Mafios and Masimirembwa chant chant slogans: “pasi nevapanduki”.
12:44 – All the ten provincial chairs chant the slogan: “pasi nevanoda kupandukira president.”
12:47 – S K Moyo now addressing.
He says “lets have one centre of power and denounce factionalism.”
12:56 – SK Moyo invites Mugabe to adress delegates who are shouting “gushungo”.
Absolom Sikosana to translate Mugabe’s speech.
12:58 – Mugabe says “pasi neMDC.”
“Lets not relax because the opposition is in tatters,” he says.
“I want to thank you the loyal party members who have worked with me,” Mugabe says.
“I thought we were working together with some of us who had there own things, planning on how to change and kick the president out of power and I regret that we have let people down.”
He says in year 2000 women said they wanted a woman called Joice Mujuru and “amai Mugabe vakapembera chaizvo.”
“Tikashanda nazvo tisingazive kuseri kwemusha kurikurongwa zvekubvisa mukuru wemusha,” Mugabe says.
“Havapo nhasi murikuona kuno kumusoro hatina kuvadzinga. Isu taida kuti vauye vatiudze kuti zvakafamba sei. Ndizvo zvinoita mbavha,” he says.
“Ngatiite maleaders atinoziva kwete mbavha. Makazviona mega mukatsvaira mare kuti ngaabve. Tinotenda asi nyaya idzi dzinogadzirwa nevakuru veprovince.”
Mugabe says: “Follow the procedures in removing unworthy leaders and submit the matter to us.”
“Dont use other means in the disciplinary issues, find whether its true.”
“They were using money to buy votes to mobilise people so that they pass a vote of no confidnce against me.”
“Amai Mugabe revealed everything…nyaya dzose and if there crimes were to be, books can be written.”
“kune vakaita mhosva, pakabuda humbowo vachatongwa.”
“Nesuwo kuhurumende, kana uri minister, deputy minister…basa rinopera. Asi tinoda humbowo hwakakwana.”
“Vamwe vatungamiri vanga vave kutengesa, vave kudyidzana nenhengo dzeMDC.”
Mugabe finishes address.
14:00 – Jacob Mudenda giving vote of thanks. Daily News
