ZANU PF Mashonaland West provincial chairperson Mary Mliswa-Chikoka has sharply criticised senior party officials, including Members of Parliament and central committee members, for failing to attend high-level events presided over by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
In a strongly worded letter addressed to the province’s leadership, Mliswa-Chikoka expressed her disappointment following the low turnout at the 21st graduation ceremony of Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT), which was officiated by the President last Thursday.
Despite the significance of the event, only Deputy Minister of Women’s Affairs, Community and SMEs, Jennifer Mhlanga, was present in an official capacity from the province’s top leadership.
According to Mliswa-Chikoka, invitations had been extended to several ZANU PF legislators and central committee members, yet most failed to show up without offering explanations.
“What kind of message are you sending when you deliberately absent yourselves from events attended by the First Secretary of our party?” she wrote.
“Some of you fight tooth and nail for a chance to attend the [ZANU PF] People’s Conference, but show no commitment when the President visits your own province.”
She stressed that participating in events led by the Head of State is not optional for party leaders, but rather a duty that reflects political loyalty and awareness.
Mliswa-Chikoka warned that continued absenteeism could be interpreted as internal sabotage, adding that such behaviour risks creating mistrust and divisions within party structures.
“This level of complacency is unacceptable. The time is approaching when we will begin naming and shaming those whose actions undermine ZANU PF’s unity, authority, and values from within.”
A number of Makonde District officials were noted as absent, including Phineas Makumbe, Thomas Chidzomba, Christine Gwati, Precious Masango, Tapera Mtovido, Elisha Bhokoro, Archy Ganizani, and Rudo Munyonga. The only formal apology came from Politburo member Douglas Mombeshora, who was away on official government business.
President Mnangagwa, during the CUT ceremony, conferred degrees on 3,130 graduates, marking a major milestone for the institution and the province.
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