The ruling ZANU-PF party has launched an extensive cell verification campaign across Mashonaland West Province, targeting all six of its political administrative districts. The move is part of a broader strategic initiative to solidify grassroots support, enhance organisational efficiency, and ensure the integrity of party membership records ahead of key political events.
The verification exercise involves a coordinated deployment of provincial leaders and central committee members to local communities, where they are engaging directly with party cells — the most basic organisational units in the ZANU-PF structure, each comprising 50 members. The initiative is designed to confirm active participation, weed out inactive members, and reinforce the party’s influence at the grassroots level.
Mashonaland West provincial chairperson, Cde Mary Mliswa-Chikoka, confirmed that the cell verification programme is progressing smoothly and has already yielded encouraging results. She noted that party leadership across the province had shown exceptional dedication and were taking their responsibilities seriously.
“The verification process is being carried out systematically and efficiently, aligning with the party’s overarching objective of fortifying grassroots structures and ensuring the integrity of our membership records,” said Cde Mliswa-Chikoka. “The commitment demonstrated by our cadres is commendable, and it reflects how seriously ZANU-PF regards this exercise.”
According to Mliswa-Chikoka, the ongoing programme is a demonstration of ZANU-PF’s continued efforts to remain rooted in community engagement, political accountability, and responsive governance. She added that the province intends to complete the verification with precision, laying a solid foundation for future mobilisation efforts.
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District Coordinating Committee (DCC) chairpersons across Mashonaland West have echoed similar sentiments, emphasising the importance of the initiative in strengthening the party’s internal structures. Zvimba DCC chairperson, Cde Bywell Mbiri, described the cell as the “backbone” of ZANU-PF’s grassroots operations and a critical channel for connecting the party with citizens.
“These cell structures are essential, not just for political mobilisation, but also for fostering communication between the party and communities,” said Cde Mbiri. “They ensure that government programmes are understood, supported, and implemented effectively at the local level.”
Cde Mbiri said the verification drive enables party leaders to establish stronger bonds with supporters, while also identifying and resolving issues affecting individual cells. This approach, he said, reinforces trust and loyalty among party members.
In Kadoma and Hurungwe, DCC chairpersons Cde Langton Mabhanga and Cde Richard Ziki highlighted the importance of eliminating inactive or “ghost” members from party records. They said the drive would result in a more transparent and engaged membership base, which is vital for the party’s future political campaigns and electoral preparedness.
“One of the key goals of this exercise is to ensure that our structures reflect genuine, active participation,” said Cde Ziki. “We are building a more transparent and accountable ZANU-PF, one that is better positioned to respond to the needs and expectations of our communities.”
He noted that many supporters had welcomed the verification process, viewing it as a step toward greater inclusivity and involvement in the party’s planning and development programmes.
The ZANU-PF cell verification initiative is also seen as part of a broader national strategy to prepare for upcoming internal party processes and potential national elections. By verifying active membership and strengthening local structures, the party aims to consolidate its political dominance and maintain direct access to its support base.
In many districts, the verification process has also provided an opportunity for community engagement on broader policy issues. Party officials are using the exercise to gather feedback from grassroots members on development priorities, service delivery, and challenges within their communities. This feedback is expected to shape both party strategy and government programming in the near future.
The cell verification drive represents a significant organisational milestone for ZANU-PF in Mashonaland West. As the party recalibrates its internal systems, the initiative is being viewed as a crucial step toward modernising its grassroots apparatus and reinforcing political relevance at the community level.
As ZANU-PF intensifies efforts to tighten its structures, party leaders remain confident that the cell verification exercise will boost morale, eliminate structural inefficiencies, and set a new benchmark for grassroots mobilisation across Zimbabwe.
Source – Bulawayo24
