KEY POINTS
- Zanu PF Politburo members are deemed superior to government ministers.
- Minister Matuke emphasized the supremacy of the party over government officials.
- Zanu PF aims to achieve Vision 2030 ahead of schedule by focusing on infrastructure development.
Zanu PF Politburo members are asserting their superior authority over government ministers, with calls for greater respect toward senior party officials.
This announcement came from Lovemore Matuke, the Minister of Presidential Affairs, as he sought to clarify the party’s power structure during a familiarization tour in Chinhoyi.
Politburo members: More influence than ministers
Matuke explained that Zanu PF Politburo members, a 49-member body selected by the party’s first secretary, hold more influence than ministers, deputy ministers, and permanent secretaries. This clarification came in response to complaints from Politburo and Central Committee members, as well as war veterans, who claimed they were being disrespected by government officials.
“Politburo members are superior to government ministers, and for that reason, they should be accorded the respect they deserve,” Matuke stated. He emphasized that Zanu PF is supreme to the government, highlighting that the party directs the work of government officials.
The Politburo, which meets at least once a month, serves as the standing committee of the Central Committee and holds significant decision-making power.
Vision 2030 and infrastructure development
Matuke also highlighted the goals of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government, particularly its focus on infrastructure development. According to a report by New Zimbabwe, he explained that his ministry was created to monitor the implementation of presidential policies, directives, and campaign promises, ensuring they align with Zanu PF’s broader Vision 2030 agenda.
The ministry is also responsible for overseeing the use of funds from the intergovernmental fiscal transfer system (IGFT), which aims to ensure transparency and efficiency in provincial development.
Matuke reiterated that achieving Vision 2030 by 2028, two years ahead of schedule, is a key priority for Mnangagwa’s administration. “We have to work round the clock if we are to achieve Vision 2030 two years ahead of schedule,” he said. His ministry works closely with Provincial Ministers of State and Devolution to ensure party directives are effectively implemented across all provinces.
Accountability in provincial development
The Minister of Presidential Affairs emphasized the role of local authorities in driving provincial development, particularly through the use of devolution funds. He urged provincial governments to adhere to the recently launched IGFT Administrative Manual, which guides the proper allocation and utilization of these funds.
“We ensure that party election manifestos, as well as conference and congress resolutions, are implemented,” Matuke added, stressing the importance of transparency and accountability in provincial governance.
The reaffirmation of the Zanu PF Politburo’s authority serves as a reminder of the party’s dominance in Zimbabwean politics, highlighting its central role in government operations and development initiatives.
