ZANU PF adopts constitutional amendments

ZANU PF adopts constitutional amendments

Hosia Mviringi

The ruling party ZANU PF has adopted constitutional amendments meant to bring the guiding statutes in line with present and future aspirations of the revolutionary party.

The new amendments, which were adopted at the recently concluded 7th People’s Congress are meant to cement the party’s dominance as the biggest and most organised political movement in the country by accommodating the newly formed War Veterans League, which officially becomes the fourth wing of the former liberation movement.

The Constitution now has new structures such as War Veterans League, Council of Elders, District Coordinating Committees, and the Diaspora structures

Reading the motion for the adoption of the constitutional amendments, ZANU PF Secretary for Legal Affairs Paul Mangwana revealed that among the amendments were the clause that deals with the creation of the Elders’ Council.

The ten member Council will assume the role of Presidential Advisory Council.

“The Central Committee resolved to set up a 10-member Council of Elders which would be comprised of former Presidents &/retired senior Politburo members for independent unadulterated advice to the First Secretary and President of the party.”

It is important to note that the establishment of the Elders’ Council cements the new principle of the supremacy of the party over Government, as the State President will expressly get advice and guidance from the granary of knowledge and wisdom at the party headquarters in Harare.

The Vision and Mission of the party have been reconfigured to focus on economic development and empowerment as the party moves to a new phase of the liberation of the masses which focuses on economic independence.

Another key area of focus for the newly introduced constitutional amendments is the new emphasis on the need to address the needs if women, youths, and the disabled.

This is in line with national aspirations which are captured in the National Disability Policy which was adopted by government in 2021.

Meanwhile the Constitutional Amendments that were adopted addresses the meaning of the colour Red on the Party Flag while establishing the Supremacy of the party Constitution as the principal guiding document.

“Article 1 is to address what the colour red on our party flag represents.

It was missing in the old document. Article 2 now has supremacy of the constitution which was also missing in the previous constitution,” said Cde Mangwana.

The updated party supreme document will therefore guide all processes going forward in the spirit of constitutionalism.