ZANU-PF has released a statement explaining how internal party vacancies should be properly filled through co-option, based on Sections 554 and 555 of the Party Constitution.

This comes after two earlier circulars (numbers 0634 and 0635) were mistakenly sent out and have now been officially withdrawn. In a new directive signed by the Secretary for Legal Affairs, Cde P.A. Chinamasa, all party structures—including District Coordinating Committees (DCCs)—have been told to follow the correct constitutional procedures when carrying out co-options.

Key Provisions and Guidelines:

• Three-Month Deadline: Any vacant position must be filled within three months through co-option.
• Start with Consensus: The organ must first try to agree on one replacement. If two candidates are suggested and no agreement is reached, a vote must be held. The person with the most votes wins, as long as enough members are present.
• Same District Rule: The person chosen must come from the same district as the one being replaced.
• Organ Dissolution Rule: If one-third or more of the positions in any organ (except the Central Committee) become vacant, the whole organ will be dissolved.
• Flexible Role Assignment: The person co-opted does not have to take over the same position. They can be given other duties as long as fairness and proper representation are maintained.
• Observers Only: Members from other party organs can attend co-option meetings, but only to observe. They cannot speak, vote, or interfere in any way.

DCC-Specific Rules:

Only official DCC members listed in Article 13, Sections 144 (1) to 144 (25), can take part in co-option. For Women’s Affairs, Youth Affairs, or War Veterans Affairs, the vacancy must be filled by someone from the same wing within the district.

Enforcement:

Provincial leaders must make sure co-option meetings are held quickly when a vacancy occurs and that all procedures are followed correctly. Meeting minutes and results must be sent to the National Political Commissar’s office within seven days.

Cde Chinamasa made it clear that these rules will not apply to past actions. They only apply to future co-option processes. If these procedures are not followed, any such co-option will be considered invalid.

By: Bright F. Zindove

Richmond Landfill (Ngozi mine) is situated in the northern fringes of the city of Bulawayo, between Richmond and Cowdray Park Suburbs. The dumpsite is home to more than 400 households. 

Residents residing near the site and surrounding suburb are making a living from the dumpsite. Early in the morning, from my backyard view, men, women and children can be seen going to work, at Ngozi Mine, some carrying big bags for packaging whatever they could scavenge for resale and recycling. This illustrates that the dumpsite is a place of ‘opportunity’ and people are making a living out of it, through refuse collection and recycling ♻️. 

Environmental and health wise, one can say the site is a ticking time bomb. Residents from surrounding areas wake-up in a cloud of smoke. They inhale hazardous carbons from Ngozi Mine, and this exposes them to respiratory disease. Some of these disease may affect them in the coming years. 

In accordance with the World Health Organization’s guidelines, the air quality in Zimbabwe is considered moderately unsafe. Most recent data indicate the country’s annual mean concentration of PM2.5 is almost double the recommended maximum of 10 µg/m3.

A double-edged sword indeed, which needs a peculiar solution from all stakeholders; residents, city father’s, non governmental organisations, media and government. The intervention should be a world class recycling factory, which is going to be a source of ‘opportunity’ and ‘defender of pollution.’ 

Disclaimer: These are the views of the writer and not the institution. 

By Sam Mupedziswa

Cabinet received a presentation on Principles to amend and strengthen the Firearms Act (Chapter 10:09) which was approved.

The amendment seeks to regulate the registration and licensing of firearms, and the establishment of a firearms database and registry. 

The amendments will seek to, among other things;

(a) introduce psychological and training tests before one is issued with a firearm certificate; 

(b) place age restriction on the possession of firearms;

(c) regulate the number of firearms per person and purpose; 

(d) provide for the profiling of all firearms for purposes of easy identification and tracing thereof; and

(e) Specify the penalties for firearm offences, including the failure to properly secure firearms.

The Minister of Information, Dr. Jenfan Muswere speaking during post cabinet briefing also said the government plans ‘mandatory energy efficiency audits’ under a proposed National Energy Efficiency Policy.