By a Correspondent
ZANU PF has postponed an extraordinary Politburo meeting scheduled for Friday, October 9, citing President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s busy programme, amid reports that Vice President Constantino Chiwenga raised objections to proposed constitutional changes ahead of the ruling party’s annual conference.
The meeting was expected to discuss proposals to align the ZANU PF constitution with amendments to Zimbabwe’s national Constitution, an issue that has attracted political attention ahead of the party’s 23rd Annual National People’s Conference in Chinhoyi, Mashonaland West Province.
In a statement issued on Friday, ZANU PF Secretary for Information and Publicity Christopher Mutsvangwa attributed the postponement to competing presidential commitments.
“Today’s Politburo meeting was postponed due to an overflow of Presidential programmes,” Mutsvangwa said.
“A new date will be announced in due course.”
However, separate reports have suggested that the postponement followed disagreements over the proposed constitutional changes, with claims that Chiwenga questioned the legality and implications of the agenda.
ZANU PF Secretary for Legal Affairs Ziyambi Ziyambi has previously said the ruling party was reviewing its constitution to align it with amendments to the national Constitution, with the proposed changes expected to be presented at the forthcoming conference for consideration.
Meanwhile, preparations for the conference, scheduled for October 12 to 17 at Chinhoyi University of Technology, are nearing completion.
Mashonaland West Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Marian Chombo (pictured) has expressed confidence in the province’s readiness to host the gathering, with recent assessments indicating that preparations have reached approximately 98 percent.
The provincial authorities have been overseeing improvements to accommodation facilities, water infrastructure and roads, with the remaining work expected to be completed ahead of the arrival of delegates.
Chombo has also highlighted the anticipated long-term benefits of the infrastructure improvements for Chinhoyi and surrounding communities.
More than 7,000 delegates are expected to attend the six-day conference, which will review previous party resolutions and consider priorities for the coming year.
