Mafume slammed for attending Zanu PF ideological training

Harare mayor, Councillor Jacob Mafume, has been criticised for attending a ZANU PF indoctrination programme at the party’s Herbert Chitepo School of Ideology.

Mafume is among a group of mayors, chairpersons, councillors, and staff from 92 local authorities across the country who attended the two-day training session at the Rainbow Towers Hotel in Harare.

The training was conducted by Munyaradzi Machacha, the principal of the Herbert Chitepo School of Ideology and ZANU PF’s National Political Commissar, on behalf of the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works.

However, the mayors of Bulawayo, David Coltart, and his deputy, Edwin Ndlovu, did not attend the training. Instead, the city’s Town Clerk and Finance Director attended in their place.

Former CCC MP Job Sikhala, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), suggested that the opposition councillors attending the training may be motivated by greed. He wrote:

There are more important things in life than money and power. No amount of silver and gold should persuade you to sacrifice your values and principles to be dragged to the Herbert Chitepo School of Ideology, to be brainwashed with some redundant ideology.

The ideology that is anti-people, promotion of the persecution of those in disagreement with that moribund ideology and intolerance of opponents of the establishment!

Hopewell Chin’ono, a prominent government critic, was more blunt in his assessment of Mafume’s attendance at the ZANU PF ideological training.

Chin’ono accused Mafume of “treachery” saying he is now serving his own interests and those of the ruling ZANU PF party. Said Chin’ono:

Harareans rejected ZANU PF in toto, but here you are, Mayor, using taxpayers’ money to attend an ideological indoctrination workshop at a ZANU PF indoctrination school!

I wouldn’t blame anyone who argues that you are no longer serving the interests of the residents of Harare, you are now serving your own interests and those of ZANU PF!

I can’t imagine that you would leave your office for the whole day to go to a ZANU PF indoctrination school when your residents have no clean drinking water!

It is just irresponsible for any opposition-elected mayor to do such a reckless thing! You have insulted the residents of Harare.

They are powerless because everything in Zimbabwe is captured, but at this point, it is fair to say you don’t represent them anymore!

… History will never forgive you for this treachery Jacob, you have betrayed the residents of Harare.

Our country is broken both politically and economically because of ZANU PF, yet you see it fit to not only go to a ZANU PF indoctrination school but to also use our money as Harareans attending this rubbish!

If Harareans had a way to remove you they would, but of course, ZANUPF courts will protect you, I am disappointed in not only your irresponsible actions, but in you too!

You have undermined the democratic process by participating in a ZANUPF indoctrination workshop while serving as an opposition mayor, you have “legitimised” the ruling party’s authoritarian tactics.

Long live David Coltart, the Mayor of Bulawayo, for rejecting this nonsense!

Mafume is a member of the opposition Citizens’ Coalition for Change (CCC) and was re-elected as the mayor of Harare following the 2023 general elections.

His re-election came after Sengezo Tshabangu controversially recalled his two predecessors, Ian Makone and Lovejoy Chitengu.

Tshabangu, known for unilaterally recalling scores of CCC MPs and Councillors, defended the mandatory two-day ideological training, describing it as a positive initiative aimed at building the capacity of councillors and aligning local governance with national policies.

The Herbert Chitepo School of Ideology is named after Herbert Chitepo, a prominent nationalist and former chairperson of the Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU).

The school focuses on topics such as patriotism, national security, and the history of Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle.

…As Govt introduces ‘Herbert Chitepo School of Ideology’ to local authorities training manuals, CCC agrees to programme

The government has introduced a heritage-based course for mayors, chairpersons and councillors in local authorities that will include the Zanu PF’s ‘Herbert Chitepo School of Ideology’ manuals and modules.

Local Government Minister Daniel Garwe on Wednesday said through the assistance of the Herbert Chitepo School of Ideology, councillors and council staff can better appreciate their critical role in national affairs and development.

“Local Authorities are semi-autonomous in running council business thus creating their policies, leverage on endowments and grow their economies.

“For these reasons, and many more, local authorities ought to be aligned with central government in policy, procedure and action.

“It is critical to note that during this process, the ministry notes the wide political dichotomy which exists amongst policymakers and staff as well as the narrow appreciation of basic but fundamental aspects of the nation’s history, identity and polity,” Garwe said.

The minister added, “It is evident that many times, in the Local Government sector, meaningful dialogue and initiatives are either derailed or postponed due to the failure of political players and council staff to appreciate the bigger picture, which is, a better Zimbabwe for all.

“In this regard, the ministry will be rolling out a three phased councillor induction program where Mayors, chairpersons and councillors would be equipped for their role as stewards of their respective Councils.”

Garwe also highlighted that capacitating local authorities on mission-critical issues of nation-building for development will ultimately lead to achieving an upper-middle-income society by 2030.

Referring to the inclusion of ‘The Herbert Chitepo School of Ideology’, in the training manuals and modules for use by local councils, Garwe said, “It is of paramount importance that I highlight that the ministry realizes and takes a leaf from initiatives carried out in countries such as China, United States, Russia, Singapore and Japan; where patriotic education campaigns have been launched to promote love for the motherland and moral values.

Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) spokesperson Promise Mkwananzi said opposition councillors and mayors would attend the programme as it was running under the Local Government Ministry and not Zanu PF. The CCC had earlier revealed plans to boycott the Ideology training.

“If it is a ministerial programme, CCC has no authority to stop its members from attending such a training programme, but if it was a Zanu PF political party training programme, we would stop them (Mayors and Councillors) from attending because this would mean another political party imposing its Ideology on us as an opposition movement,” Citizens Coalition for Change Spokesperson Promise Mkwananzi said in an interview.

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