Parastatals forced to "fund" Zanu PF conference

ZANU PF has commandeered several State institutions to refurbish and carry major infrastructural developments at the venue of its annual conference at the Masvingo Agricultural Showgrounds st no cost ahead of the ruling party’s $4 million conference next week.

NewsDay last week witnessed staff deployed by several government departments, including the Public Works ministry, working on the conference site with earth moving machinery busy clearing the grounds. Zanu PF secretary for finance, Obert Mpofu, said he was unaware if the party had engaged State departments to do civil works at the site while Chombo declined to comment on the matter and referred all questions to Local Government minister Saviour Kasukuwere and his Transport ministry counterpart, Jorum Gumbo.

Insiders told NewsDay that the party was not paying any cent towards the conference’s civic works and all State institutions – the Department of Roads, Public Works and Health Services will do the works on order. The insiders allege that after the physical works, other State institutions such as TelOne, NetOne, ZarNet and health facilities will come in to provide logistical facilities and other amenities.