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This comes after two earlier circulars (numbers 0634 and 0635) were mistakenly sent out and have now been officially withdrawn.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.