Controversial political activist Sengezo Tshabangu, who claims to be the Secretary General of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), has defended the mandatory two-day ideological training for mayors and local authority chairpersons at ZANU PF’s Herbert Chitepo School of Ideology in Harare.
The compulsory training programme has been condemned by human rights lawyers and civil society groups, who argue that this basic orientation training constitutes a serious violation of constitutional rights, including the rights to impartial and non-partisan administrative conduct, as well as freedom of assembly and association.
However, in an interview with <a href="https://cite.org.zw/tshabangu-backs-controversial-ideology-training-for-mayors-dismisses-recall-fears/">CITE</a>, Tshabangu asserted that the training is a positive initiative aimed at building the capacity of councillors and aligning local governance with national policies.
Tshabangu, known for unilaterally recalling scores of CCC MPs and Councilors, said he does not intend to recall those who boycotted the training. He said:
<blockquote>
I can assure you that there are no plans for recalls, and we are focused on supporting our mayors and council chairpersons in their roles.
This training is part of the government’s efforts to enhance capacity building and align local governance with national policies.
Ultimately, this training enables mayors and council chairpersons to deliver improved services to our communities, aligning with national policies and upholding the principles of good governance for the benefit of our citizens.
We appreciate the Minister of Local Government (and Public Works), Daniel Garwe, for initiating this important initiative.
</blockquote>
Bulawayo Mayor David Coltart and his deputy Edwin Ndlovu did not attend, so the city’s Town Clerk and Finance Director attended in their place.
Early this week, the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), representing the Chitungwiza Residents Trust (CHITREST), wrote to the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, urging it to cancel the basic orientation training for Mayors and Chairpersons running from August 21 to 23, 2024.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

Sengezo Tshabangu supports ZANU PF's training for mayors and local leaders to learn about ideology. The training has been criticized by human rights lawyers. Tshabangu says the training is good for building skills and following national policies. He will not punish those who did not attend. The aim is to improve services for communities and promote good governance. Some leaders did not go, so others went in their place. Legal groups want the training cancelled, but Tshabangu and others believe it is important for better governance and service delivery.

Tshabangu Endorses ZANU PF's Mandatory Ideological Training For Mayors

Former MDC Alliance Deputy Treasurer, Lillian Timveos, has graduated from ZANU PF’s Hebert Chitepo School of Ideology following her recent defection to the ruling party.
Speaking after her graduation, the ex-lawmaker said she deeply regretted wasting her time and resources in opposition politics and was now an excited member of the ruling party. She said:
<div class="bb_iawr" id="bb-iawr-newzimbabwe_com_instream-1617036844607818">
<div class="bb-media bb_wrapper bb-muted bb-phase-main bb-mode-video bb-state-paused" data-autoplaynextremainingtime="0" data-currenttime="0" data-duration="157" data-isready="true" data-sid="jtxZdd6Ygh9E" id="bb-wr-newzimbabwe_com_instream-1617036844607818">
<blockquote>
<div class="bb-item-prop">I joined Zanu PF as it is a stable party. The opposition in this country is fragmented. They are confused. 21 years down the line they do not know who their leader is.</div>
</blockquote>
<div class="bb-layer bb-content-layer">
<div class="bb-fitme bb-head-layer">
<div class="bb-head bb-head-html5-video" data-retryonplayfailed="false" data-shouldplayinline="false" data-usemediamanager="true">
<blockquote>
I realised I was wasting my time, my resources, wasting everything. I have been to the School of Ideology and I have actually realised that all along I believed in wrong things. This party, Zanu PF is a party to follow and everyone should do so because it is a stable party and has liberation war credentials.
The people of Zimbabwe need to learn our history. It is unfortunate I might be the only one who got to learn the deep history of this party. The only party to follow at this time is Zanu PF. There are no fights in Zanu PF, we talk to each other.
I used to think Zanu PF is not democratic, (but) I am actually happy with the way I was received from the time I went to State House. I am happy to be Zanu PF, everyone is so happy and I was received well in my district (Zvishavane). I know we are going to win in 2023.
</blockquote>
She is now a member of Zanu PF’s Zvishavane District.
Timveos who was the MDC Alliance deputy treasurer before her surprise resignation encouraged other opposition members to dump their political formations and join ZANU PF.
More: <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>; <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/former-chamisas-treasurer-lillian-timveos-graduates-from-zanu-pfs-school-of-ideology/">NewZimbabwe</a>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>

Former MDC Alliance Official Graduates From Chitepo School Of Ideology

An opinionist writing for Business Times praised the country’s leading political parties for having schools of ideology where they train party cadres how to handle themselves and conduct themselves as politicians among other things.
Zvauya opined:
<blockquote>In their resolution Zanu PF said that in order for the party to withstand the nefarious machinations of marauding regime change operatives, the <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Herbert_Chitepo">Herbert Chitepo</a> School of Ideology must unpack these complex issues into teaching material for the training of the party leadership including members of parliament, general membership and key government officials.
“Years without a thoughtout, planned, organised and funded training programme has resulted in a serious degeneration of political and ideological consciousness amongst the entire membership of the Party.
This has inevitably impacted negatively on discipline and commitment, leadership and organisation and consequently on the ability of the membership of the party to understand their political environment,” Moyo said.
The opposition MDC has also launched the Morgan Richard Tsvangirai School of Leadership and Ideology Development series that is also expected to be attended by the party’s legislators.
MDC leader Nelson Chamisa launched the inaugural programme.
Chamisa said the party’s legislators should religiously attend the lecture series in the future.
“We have learnt from<a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Morgan_Tsvangirai"> Morgan Tsvangirai</a> who taught us that we must use peace to confront guns and violence.
This is the year of action. Our MPs must attend the lectures to understand our party’s philosophy and principles that we are a non-violent party.
They will try to shoot us and whenever you see anyone using guns, you must know that they are cowards,” Chamisa said.
Zanu PF School of Ideology is named after the late Zanu PF chairman Herbert Chitepo who died in Zambia Lusaka in 1975.
The MDC School of Ideology is named after the late Tsvangirai. Political analyst <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Ibbo_Mandaza">Ibbo Mandaza</a> said both political parties were keen to reorient their party members to their ideologies.</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://businesstimes.co.zw/zanu-pf-mdc-sing-same-hymn/">Business Times </a>
<blockquote> </blockquote>

Hebert Chitepo School Of ideology Latest News

Latest Jobs