Is G40 chickening out?

The Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front secretary for administration Ignatius Chombo says President Robert Mugabe will not use the special congress to be held in December to fire his lieutenants.

It will, instead, be used to rally all party structures around winning next year’s elections.

Chombo told the Sunday Mail that Mugabe does not need a special congress to change the presidium or the politburo.

“The President has agreed with what the provinces have said. He has given us the go-ahead to start the official processes that are procedural and necessary to have the congress.

“As of now, the most important matters that have come out from the provinces are that the congress is being held with a view to preparing the party for next year’s harmonised elections.

“So, all the resolutions passed by the provinces will be presented as they are, and from there, the central committee will decide what matters should be put on the agenda.

“Only those resolutions which the central committee adopts will become the agenda of the congress, while those issues that are not deemed important will be left out.”

Chombo added: “So, we are going to congress to put into perspective all those matters. This is not a new thing; we had elections in 2002 after coming from an Extraordinary Congress because it was a year before elections…..

“This is not new. It will not look at individual issues; we focus on national party issues. The removal of people from certain positions, just like the cabinet reshuffle, the President can do it anytime. So, let’s not be arrogant and suggest for him.

“The constitution provides for the President as the one centre of power. He can use his discretion and does not need congress. I cannot run the party based on wishes of individuals. I run the party on the dictates of the party constitution.”

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