Key Points
-
Zanu PF youths booed Justice Minister Ziyambi in Chinhoyi.
-
The youths demanded land and cattle they say were promised.
-
The meeting still endorsed Mnangagwa to remain in office beyond 2028.
A Zanu PF provincial conference in Chinhoyi turned chaotic on Sunday as young party members booed Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi.
The meeting, held at Chinhoyi University of Technology, was meant to discuss party resolutions. Instead, it was disrupted when the youths demanded answers over land and cattle they say were promised under government schemes.
Ziyambi, a politburo member, was booed three times while trying to address the crowd. The youths shouted that they were tired of empty promises.
“We are tired of being lied to,” one young man said. “Some of us got land offer letters, but the land does not even exist.”
Another youth from Hurungwe added: “You keep talking about Vision 2030, yet promises made in 2028 are not fulfilled. You only use us when you need votes.”
Leaders struggle to calm tensions
Health Minister Douglas Mombeshora tried to step in and calm the crowd, but the heckling continued. Provincial chairperson Mary Mliswa-Chikoka also attempted to restore order but was shouted down by angry youths.
The situation eased only after Happison Muchechetere, head of the Mashonaland West War Veterans League, addressed the crowd and urged them to calm down.
When contacted later, Mliswa-Chikoka did not answer calls or messages. Provincial information secretary Misheck Nyarubero also refused to comment, calling it a “hot issue.”
Mnangagwa extension tops resolutions
Despite the drama, the meeting went ahead and ended with a resolution to back the extension of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s term beyond 2028.
“As Mashonaland West province has unanimously resolved, we endorse and affirm His Excellency Dr. Emmerson Mnangagwa as Zanu PF leader and President of Zimbabwe until 2030,” the statement said.
The conference also called for tighter party control over government, insisting that Zanu PF policies must take priority.
The incident highlighted growing anger among young supporters, who say they are being sidelined in land distribution and cattle schemes that were promised to them years ago.
