The on-going Zanu PF Congress has disrupted students and examinations at various institutions of higher learning in Harare as hoards of congress delegates are staying at the institutions.

The delegates are said to be noisy (always chanting Zanu PF slogans) whilst students will be writing their examinations. Lecturers have also been ordered to stop marking students' examination papers until the congress is over.

Delegates are being accommodated in hotels, lodges, teachers’ colleges, the Harare Polytechnic and the University of Zimbabwe depending on their positions in the party’s hierarchy.

Maud Kaneunyenye who is writing her examinations with The Women's University at Belvedere Teachers' College cites it is difficult to concentrate in the examination room.

"The Zanu PF supporters are always making a lot of noise such that no student seriously prepares for the exams within the premises. Most of us have since resorted to studying whilst at home," she said.

The 72nd Ordinary Session of the Central Committee was officially opened by the party’s First Secretary and President, Mugabe on Wednesday.

By Wednesday, Zanu-PF indicated 9 840 delegates had been accredited of which most of these are staying at colleges.

The Zimbabwe Gazette understands ministers based in Harare were not provided with accomodation reportedly because the party is cutting down costs.

Kaneunyenye says lecturers at Belvedere Teachers College were issued with an order to stop marking papers.

"Many students have expressed anger on these decisions to 'turn colleges to political houses'. I am not a politician and am not interested in participating in politics hence I have chosen to work on a different career and now I am being disrupted," she fumed.

Another woman writing her examinations at Belvedere Teachers College says Zanu PF must have spent a lot of money on the congress owing to how the delegates are been taken care of.

"They seem to be having a good time. Quality food is prepared for them at the college canteen on a daily basis," she said.

A male student at Harare Polytechnic College said the third term had to be fast-tracked so they could go home early in order for congress delegates to move in.

"We ended the term with about two weeks or a week and half to go. The college authorities cited some guests needed to occupy the hostels," he said.

However, controversy still surrounds the issue of Mugabe being endorsed at the congress considering the inter-party factions which currently exist namely; the Mujuru, Mnangagwa and the Matebeleland faction which entails Dumiso Dabengwa and most probably John Nkomo.

Congress Programme

AGENDA 1. To confirm the 18th Amendment and other amendments of the Constitution of Zimbabwe that was approved by the Central Committee.

2. To declare the President of the Party elected at the 4th Congress as the State Presidential Candidate of the party in terms of Article 6-(30) (3).

3. State of the economy.

4. Agricultural Mechanisation and preparedness for the 2007 Agricultural Season.

EXTRAORDINARY CONGRESS PROGRAMME

Day 1

Tuesday 11 December 2007 — Politburo meeting

Day 2

Wednesday 12 December 2007 — Central Committee Meeting

1100-2100 Arrival and accreditation of delegates

2100 Free evening

Day 3

Thursday 13 December 2007 — Session One

0800-0830 Delegates and invited guests take seats.

0830-0900 Members of the Politburo and Central Committee take seats.

0900-0905 Vice President and Second Secretary Cde J. T. R. Mujuru and Cde T. R. S. Mujuru arrive

0905-0910 Vice President and Second Secretary Cde J. W. Msika and Amai Msika arrive.

0910-0920 The President and the First Secretary Cde R. G. Mugabe and Amai Grace Mugabe arrive.

National Anthem — led by the Choir.

0920-0930 Convocation by the Secretary for Administration.

0930-0940 Entertainment.

Session Two

0940-0945 Welcome message by the Host Chairman of the Harare province, Cde Amos Midzi.

0945-0950 Welcome address by the Chairman of the Commission running the Affairs of Harare Mr M. Mahachi.

0950-1000 Welcome address b y the Governor and Resident Minister of the Harare Metropolitan Province Cde D. I. G. Karimanzira

1000-1010 Welcome address by the National Chairman Cde J. L. Nkomo.

1010-1020 Secretary for Administration Cde D. N. E. Mutasa presents delegates to the President and First Secretary (Roll Call).

1020-1025 The National Chairman invites the President and First Secretary to make a keynote address and table the report of the Central Committee to the Extraordinary Congress

1025-1100 Keynote address by the President and First Secretary, Cde R. G. Mugabe, and tabling of the Central Committee Report to the Extraordinary Congress.

1100-1130 Vice President and Second Secretary Cde J. W. Msika gives a vote of thanks and moves a motion to take note of the report of the Central Committee tabled by the President and First Secretary, Cde R. G. Mugabe.

1130-1140 Entertainment

1140-1230 Presentation and the confirmation of the 18th Amendment of the Constitution of Zimbabwe.

1230-1315 Declaration of the President of the party elected at the 4th National People’s Congress as the State Presidential Candidate of the party in terms of Article 6-(30) (3):a. Women’s League, b. Youth League,

c. Main Wing

Day 4

0800-0830 Delegates and invited guests take seats

0830-0900 Members of the Politburo and Central Committee take seats

0900-0905 Vice President and Second Secretary Cde J. T. R. Mujuru and Cde T. R. S. Mujuru arrive

0905-0910 Vice President and Second Secretary Cde J. W. Msika and Amai Msika arrive.

0910-0920 The President and First Secretary, Cde R. G. Mugabe, and Amai Mugabe arrive

0920-0930 Entertainment

09301030 State of the economy

1030-1045 Entertainment

1045-1145 Agricultural Mechanisation and preparedness for the 2007 agricultural season

1145-1200 Entertainment

1200-1300 Solidarity messages — President of the Chiefs’ Council, War Veterans’ Association, War collaborators, Students, Representatives of the Zimbabwe Ex-Detainees and Restrictees’ Association, Zanu-PF Johannesburg District representatives, Foreign delegates

1300-1315 Entertainment

1315-1400 Closing address by the President and First Secretary, Cde R. G. Mugabe

1400 Lunch, end of Congress.

---

Share This Story On:

Average user rating