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Party values, rules, and history — from the Party Constitution
PreamblePreamble — Our History and Founding
Whereas we the people of Zimbabwe are an African nation with a long, proud history and cultural heritage; and
Whereas we the people of Zimbabwe recognise the importance of God The Almighty and our Ancestors in guiding the Liberation movements in the execution of the armed struggle; and
Whereas we the people of Zimbabwe acknowledge the role played by the fore-bearers during the first Chimurenga War against colonial occupation; and
Whereas on the 18th April 1980, we the people of Zimbabwe regained our nationhood and joined the family of nations of the world as a sovereign state; and
Whereas we the people of Zimbabwe have always cherished our sovereignty by resisting aggression and foreign domination; and
Whereas we the people of Zimbabwe acknowledge the role played by the Zimbabwe Revolutionary War Fighters of the Second Chimurenga and those who died whilst fighting the colonial enemy, and the fact that they will forever be the custodians of the Zimbabwean revolution and the bedrock upon which the ZANU PF Party will continue building itself from; and
Whereas we the people of Zimbabwe acknowledge the importance of the supreme sacrifice of all Zimbabweans who paid the ultimate price for the liberation of our motherland Zimbabwe; and
Whereas we the people of Zimbabwe acknowledge the role played by the Zimbabwean Liberation Parties and their armies, that is, ZAPU and ZIPRA, and ZANU and ZANLA, in the liberation of our country, and in the subsequent formation of ZANU PF Party after the 22nd December 1987 Unity Accord; and
Whereas we the people of Zimbabwe acknowledge the role played by the masses, parents and the War Collaborators towards the liberation of Zimbabwe, and the role played by the detainees and restrictees in the fight against colonialism and other forms of injustice during our liberation struggle; and
Whereas we acknowledge the importance of the Youths as the future building block and vanguard of the Party; and
Whereas we are desirous to unite our nation permanently, preserve peace, order and good government, guarantee political stability, social and economic development, convinced that this can only be achieved under conditions of national unity;
Now Therefore we the representatives of the people of Zimbabwe in Congress assembled and now united and reconstituted under the name ZANU PF do hereby adopt and grant unto ourselves this Constitution.
Article 1The Party and the Official Flag
Name of the Party
The name of the Party shall be the Zimbabwe African National Union Patriotic Front ["ZANU PF" or "the Party"]. The Party shall be a body corporate with perpetual succession, capable of suing and being sued, acquiring and disposing of property, acquiring rights and incurring obligations and engaging in any lawful activities which are not inconsistent with its aims and objectives.
Official Flag
The Party shall have an official flag as approved by Congress, comprising the colours of green, yellow, red and black.
Green — represents the vegetation, the life, flora and fauna, agriculture, growth, hope of continuity as a sovereign people.
Yellow — represents Zimbabwe's abundant mineral wealth, such as diamonds, platinum, gold, coal, methane gas, nickel, copper, iron, chrome, emeralds and others.
Red — represents the blood of the sons and daughters of the liberation struggle.
Black — represents the indigenous people as the sovereign owners and custodians of our motherland Zimbabwe.
Party Headquarters
The Head Office of the Party shall be in Harare.
Vision
Forever to remain the mass revolutionary socialist Party in the emancipation process of the people of Zimbabwe from all forms of oppression.
Mission
To maintain total ownership, control and equitable distribution of the means of production, natural resources, and the defence of the national sovereignty, policies of indigenisation, empowerment and wealth creation so as to sustain the independence of Zimbabwe; and to remain forever masters of our own destiny.
Article 2Aims and Objectives
The aims and objectives of the Party shall be:
1. To preserve and defend the National Sovereignty and Independence of Zimbabwe;
2. To create conditions for the establishment of a democratic, political and social order which shall guarantee in perpetuity that the Government of the State shall be answerable to the people through periodic free and fair elections based on universal adult suffrage;
3. To uphold and apply fully the rule of equality before the law, and equality of opportunities for all the people in Zimbabwe, regardless of race, tribe, sex, religion or origin;
4. To establish and sustain a socialist society firmly based on our historical, cultural and social experience and to create conditions for economic independence, prosperity and equitable distribution of the wealth of the nation;
5. To continue to participate in the worldwide struggle for the complete eradication of imperialism, colonialism and all forms of racism, and to support liberation movements in their just struggle for self determination and social justice;
6. To support and promote all efforts for the attainment of the Pan-Africa goal for the complete independence and unity of African states;
7. To oppose resolutely tribalism, regionalism, nepotism, corruption, racism, religious fanaticism, xenophobia and related intolerance, discrimination on grounds of sex and all forms of exploitation of man by man in Zimbabwe.
Article 3Membership — Rights and Duties
Membership of the Party shall be open to all citizens and residents of Zimbabwe who subscribe to the Constitution, aims, objectives and policies of the Party. To become a member, a person shall make application to the local branch nearest to the place he or she is ordinarily resident or working. On acceptance, a member shall pay the joining fee.
Rights of Members
Every member of the Party shall have the right:
1. to vote in any Party elections in accordance with such rules and regulations as the Central Committee shall determine from time to time;
2. to be elected to any office in the Party, subject to such rules and regulations as the Central Committee shall determine from time to time;
3. to have audience with any officer of the Party;
4. to make representations to any officer or organ of the Party in respect of any matter which affects his or her rights as a member;
5. to participate in meetings and other activities organised by the Party;
6. not to be subjected to arbitrary or vexatious treatment by those in authority over him;
7. to seek a remedy in respect of any grievance as a result of the action of any person in authority over him.
Duties of Members
Every member of the Party shall have the duty:
1. to be loyal to the Party;
2. to observe and abide by the policies, rules and regulations of the Party;
3. to strive continuously to raise the level of his or her own political and social consciousness and understanding of Party policies;
4. to strengthen, promote and defend the party and popularise its policies among the people;
5. to conduct himself/herself honestly and honourably in his or her dealings with the Party and the public and not to bring the Party into disrepute or ridicule; and
6. to pay regular subscriptions.
Article 4Principal Organs and Structure of the Party
There shall be the following principal organs of the Party:
1. The National People's Congress;
2. The National People's Conference;
3. The Central Committee;
4. The National Consultative Assembly;
5. The National Assembly of the Women's League;
6. The National Assembly of the Youth League;
7. The Provincial Coordinating Committees;
8. The Provincial Executive Council;
9. The District Committees;
10. The Branch Committees;
11. The Cell/Village Committee.
Women shall constitute at least one-third of the total membership of the principal organs of the Party. The National People's Congress is the supreme organ of the Party — it elects the President and First Secretary, elects members of the Central Committee, and is the supreme policy-making organ of the Party.
Article 13The District
There shall be a District Executive Committee for each District of the Province, consisting of all Branches within the District. Members of the District Executive Committee are elected to hold office for a maximum period of three years at a District Conference convened for that purpose by delegates representing each of the Branches in the District.
The District Executive Committee shall meet at least once every month, and shall hold the District Conference at least 12 months before the Provincial Conference. A majority of the membership of the District Executive Committee constitutes a quorum. There shall also be a District Inter-Branch meeting at least twice a year to review Party programmes and projects.
Article 14The Branch
There shall be a Branch Executive Committee for each Branch in the Province. Members of the Branch Executive Committee are elected to hold office for a maximum period of two years at a Branch Conference convened for that purpose by delegates representing each of the Cells/Villages in the Branch.
To become a member, a person shall make application to the local Branch nearest to the place where he is ordinarily resident or working (or directly to the Secretary for Administration in exceptional circumstances). A majority of the membership of the Branch Executive Committee constitutes a quorum, and the Branch Executive Committee shall meet at least once a month.
Article 15The Cell or Village Committee
There shall be ten (10) Cell Committees (in Urban Areas) or ten (10) Village Committees (in Rural Areas) in every Branch. A Cell or Village shall consist of such number of members as may be determined by the Central Committee from time to time.
Members of the Cell or Village elect seven members each for the Main Wing, Women's League and Youth League to constitute a Cell or Village Committee: the Chairperson, the Secretary, the Treasurer, the Political Commissar, the Secretary for Security, and two Committee members. Members of the Cell/Village Committee hold office for a period of one year.