by Gideon Madzikatidze
HARARE – ZANU-PF has recruited touts, public transport operators and rank marshals to counter rogue elements destabilising peace nationwide, with calls for rolling out more recruitments (countrywide) gain momentum.
The recruits, drawn from affiliate groups under ‘economic development’ (ED) banners, boast control over ruthless youths ready to defend gains made under President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s leadership.
Speaking during a meeting held under the Inspectors for Economic Development and Harare Youths Transporters Association (HAYTA), ZANU-PF’s Harare provincial youths chairperson, Emmanuel Mahachi has called on all (youths) affiliates to defend the party by means within and beyond their proximity.
“We have our youths already in various spots to defend the President within and beyond maximum limits. They are deployed to make sure the gains of the Second Republic under President Emmerson Mnangagwa won’t be distorted by any rogue elements including protests,” Mahachi said.
“In various hotspots, we have made sure that our affiliate mbership has representation to defend the President, and we will descent heavily on all mechanisms which seek to destabilise current peace. I am happy that several youths from your affiliates have heeded the call to defend our revolutionary party even during periods when it seems not (unconstitutional) fashionable to do so, we will be doing it for our President and defend those opposing the 2030 agenda,” Mahachi added.
Meanwhile, Inspectors for Economic Development Chairman, Felix Mpofu has appealed for both the party and Parliament (legislature) to push for inclusion of youths training to swiftly respond during any circumstances which need reinforcing peace during moments of uncertainties.
“We kindly requests the party and possibly the Parliament to craft law which empower our rank marshals and inspectors to complement tireless efforts by our security forces in defending and instil peace within our the ranges of maximum means possible. We need to beef up security during situations which prove to be tense,” Mpofu said.
“If possible, we need to enrol some youths who are membership of our affiliate with Chitepo School of Ideology so that they get basic orientation requisites in understanding the essence of defending the country before, during and post electoral processes or everytime when there is possibility or plot for protests,” Mpofu added.
The HAYTA Chairperson, Mr Edmore Gwengwe said public transporters are not violent, but they need orientation from Chitepo School of Ideology in order to gain required skills and knowledge for development to be realised.
“As public transporters associations, we know that our membership are not violent, but there is a need for us to formalise our operations especially in our interactions with authorities including City Council officials during revenue collection. Let us all co-ordinate our businesses with moral decency and without violating one’s rights and freedoms as enshrined within our national constitution,” Gwengwe said.
“We need to root out all rogue elements operating amongst our designated bus terminals so that there is moral decency. We also need to work closely with these inspectors to fight drugs and substances peddling and abuse since some ranks have become havebs for trafficking the illicit substances. Let me also support the request by other operators, associations and inspectors that there is a need for our membership to enroll for Chitepo School of Ideology,” Gwengwe said.
The announcement which was made during a meeting of Inspectors (maHwindi/Touts) for Economic Development, where leader Felix Mpofu called for further enrollment and training at the Chitepo School of Ideology has been welcomed by several ZANU-PF affiliate groups. Harare Youths Transporters Association (HAYTA) Chairman, Gwengwe, reinforced the call, urging youths to enroll for the orientation program to maintain law and stability.
The Chitepo School of Ideology aims to impart Zimbabwe’s foundational philosophies and promote socialist ideology, with critics arguing it serves as a tool for ZANU-PF indoctrination. The school has been training various groups, including civil servants and traditional leaders, sparking concerns about partisan politics and constitutional violations.