This directive, delivered by the party’s Secretary General, Dr. Obert Mpofu, to all provincial chairpersons, is to be complied with by 4th October 2023.

ZANU-PF’s Electoral Performance

In the 2023 elections, ZANU-PF fielded candidates for all 210 parliamentary seats. The party provided top-of-the-range vehicles to these candidates to aid their campaigns. However, following the election results, it was evident that not all candidates had succeeded in their endeavor. 

ZANU-PF won 136 out of 210 parliamentary seats, while the opposition party, the Citizen’s Coalition for Change (CCC), secured 73 seats. The presidential poll saw Emmerson Mnangagwa of the ZANU-PF emerge victorious with 52.6% of the vote, narrowly defeating his rival, Nelson Chamisa, who managed to secure 44% of the vote.

Directive to Return Campaign Vehicles

Dr. Obert Mpofu, the Secretary General of ZANU-PF, communicated the directive to return the campaign vehicles via a communiqué addressed to all provincial chairpersons. 

The vehicles, which include top-of-the-range models such as Toyota Hilux GD6s, Ford Rangers, and Nissan Navaras, were given to the candidates to aid their campaigning efforts. However, the directive now instructs the losing candidates to return these vehicles to the party headquarters by 4th October 2023.

The communiqué read, “This serves as a directive to all the ZANU-PF parliamentary candidates that participated and did not succeed in the just-ended harmonised elections to surrender the party vehicles that were allocated to them to the Zanu PF party headquarters by Wednesday, 4 October 2023, without fail. This is pursuant to the circular that was issued before, followed by a decision made by the party leadership at the Politburo Meeting held on 28 September 2023.”

Political Implications and Reactions

The move by ZANU-PF has sparked mixed reactions. Some view it as a prudent measure to conserve party resources, while others interpret it as a punitive measure against losing candidates. The directive also raises questions about the party’s campaign financing and the role of material resources in political campaigning.

The decision comes against a backdrop of increased scrutiny of political campaign financing globally. In many jurisdictions, there are strict regulations on campaign spending to ensure a level playing field and to prevent the undue influence of money in politics. The move by ZANU-PF may reignite discussions on campaign financing in Zimbabwe and beyond.

Looking Ahead

As ZANU-PF’s losing candidates prepare to return their campaign vehicles, it remains to be seen what impact this development will have on the party’s internal dynamics and overall political landscape. The move could potentially influence future campaign strategies and resource allocation not just within ZANU-PF, but also among other political parties in Zimbabwe.

As the 4th October deadline for the return of the vehicles approaches, all eyes will be on the ZANU-PF headquarters. The event may also provide further insights into the party’s post-election strategies and its preparation for future political contests.