VP Chiwenga Stands Firm Against Corruption at ZANU PF Congress

By Post On Sunday Senior Reporter

MUTARE-Zimbabwe’s Vice President Constantino Chiwenga has reaffirmed his uncompromising stance against corruption, laziness, and moral decay, calling on the ruling ZANU PF party to honour the sacrifices of the liberation war by upholding integrity and unity.

Speaking at the party’s 22nd Annual People’s Congress in Mutare on Friday, Chiwenga reminded delegates that the freedom Zimbabweans enjoy today was bought with blood, sacrifice, and unwavering conviction, and must not be dishonored by greed and moral erosion.

“This is not merely another conference, it is a moment of reflection, renewal and recommitment to the timeless values that have carried our revolutionary Party ZANU PF from the liberation struggle to the envisaged future,” he said.

He noted that hosting the conference in Manicaland Province was symbolic, as Mutare played a significant role in Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle.

“Mutare occupies a sacred place in the liberation story of our country. It was a crucial gateway through which thousands of our brave sons and daughters crossed into Mozambique to wage the struggle for our independence. Through these mountains and valleys, they slipped across the border, young, determined, and full of conviction into bases such as Chimoio, Nyadzonia, and Tembwe in Mozambique,” Chiwenga said before inviting President Emmerson Mnangagwa to address the gathering.

The Vice President also paid homage to those who crossed through Botswana and the Zambezi Valley, finding refuge and military training in camps such as Mukushi and Freedom Camp in Zambia.

These places, he said, were not merely military installations, but altars of sacrifice.

“Before they even fired a single shot, many endured the harshest of conditions such as disease, attacks by wild animals, hunger and starvation. Far too many died nameless deaths in the bush or under aerial bombardment.

“They perished not in battle, but in hope, believing that their sacrifices would purchase a just, dignified and prosperous Zimbabwe for all,” he said.

Vice President Chiwenga reminded delegates that the liberation war was a people’s war, fought by guerrilla fighters and ordinary citizens alike.

Every household, he said, played a role whether by feeding fighters, providing shelter, or sewing uniforms.

“The liberation struggle was a collective mission in which the masses, that is, the people, youths, traditional leaders and children, all played a decisive role. Guerrilla warfare was people’s warfare. Every home was either a base, a place to eat or a where clothes were sewn; every family was part of the revolution,” he said.

Chiwenga mentioned that this historical bond between the Party and the people must never be broken.

He added that the unity that won independence must now be channeled into building a just, corruption-free future.

“That bond between the Party and the people must remain unbroken. The same unity and singleness of purpose that drove our liberation struggle must now be the moral compass guiding us into the future.

“We must continue to move forward as one Party, one people, one destiny bound by a shared vision,” said Chiwenga.

He further said that the voices of the fallen heroes were demanding honesty and good governance from today’s leaders.

“They were altars of sacrifice, places where pain, courage, and faith fused into the spirit of liberation. The cries of those who fell still echo across these hills.

“Their blood speaks from the soil, reminding us that our freedom was not inherited, it was earned with suffering, sealed in blood and consecrated by unwavering conviction.”

“Today, as we gather on this sacred ground, we are summoned by that same spirit, the spirit of endurance, honesty, unity and service. The fallen are watching us. Their blood demands integrity. Their voices cry out against corruption, laziness and moral decay,” he said.

Turning to the theme of the Congress, “Attainment of Vision 2030 Through Economic Empowerment and Value Addition” , Chiwenga said Zimbabwe’s economic growth must benefit all citizens, not just a privileged few.

“Our theme this year captures the central task before us: to build a people-centered economy that empowers every Zimbabwean and ensures that our national wealth benefits all, not just a privileged few,” he said.

He stressed that genuine empowerment means equipping Zimbabweans with the means to create, innovate and own their economic future.“ Economic empowerment must be genuine, equipping all our people with the means to produce, innovate and own their destiny. That is the essence of Vision 2030 and that is the essence of revolutionary continuity,” he said.

In closing, Vice President Chiwenga reminded the nation that the current generation holds the baton of a long and painful journey but it is not the end of Zimbabwe’s story.

“We must always remember that we are not the Alpha and the Omega of Zimbabwe’s journey. Ours is to carry forward the torch passed to us by those who gave everything without expectation of reward.

“Some of them, like the late General Josiah Magama Tongogara, knew they would not see a liberated Zimbabwe but still fought. They fought for the future, not for themselves. Vision 2030, therefore, must be understood in the same light, as a Party and National covenant, not a personal pursuit. It is about the Zimbabwe we will bequeath to generations to come.

“ZANU PF stands where it is today because it has travelled a long, demanding journey of vision, unity, sacrifice, love and singleness of purpose,”Chiwenga said.