Zanu PF Minutes obtained by The Zimbabwean paint a desperate attempt by their Senior Lieutenants to re-invigorate the party. It is instructive to note the language used and the methods they propose to lift the support base. (Ed)

MDC media
The meeting discussed plans to revive its defunct party newspaper, The Voice, in a desperate attempt to counter what it called the MDC’s “media weaponry including external anti-government media, British and American tabloids as well as what the paper describes as South Africa’s apartheid newspapers”.

The minutes single out the MDC newsletter, The Changing Times, The Legal Monitor, printed by human rights lawyers, and the Prime Minister’s newsletters as part of the MDC arsenal.
“Our own party newspaper is defunct. People have nothing of the party to read,” say the minutes.
Strategy – “We need the equivalence of opposition’s weapons thus matching it one by one, ie, the opposition is printing The Changing Times. We need to print our own newsletters. The Worker (newspaper) is being used by the opposition as a party we need a worker oriented paper as well. External media interviews should be increased.”
“More discussion programmes on TV by young people discussing the meaning of independence, the flag, and “slavery” of blacks under the Rhodesian regime.
“Spotlight on Rhodesian soldiers and the banditry acts of the BSAP, colour bar, apartheid atrocities etc,” say the minutes.

Education
They also note that the MDC has allegedly infiltrated institutions of higher learning, particularly ZINASU.
Strategy – Zanu (PF) has come up with a raft of counter strategies that include infiltrating student bodies and using “Pan Africa philosophy” to win over the students. The party also wants to create the “Black Consciousness Movement’ and “flush out MDC Eurocentrism” which the party alleges has been installed in students by the private press and “other gutter imperialist media.”
Zanu (PF) laments in its strategy document that 90 percent of the curricula in universities is eurocentric.
“Recruit, mobilise and encourage media students to write in defence of the country, its sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence,” say the minutes.

NGOs – enemies of state
The document further claims that 99 percent of NGOs operating in Zimbabwe are anti-government adding “NGOs affiliated to NANGO (National Association of NGOs) are enemies of the party and the State.”
Among NGOs listed as enemies of the state are Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition, NCA, Oxfam, GALZ, USAID, Kubatana, WOZA, Christian Alliance, JAG, Legal Resources Foundation, Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, Human Rights Doctors, ZimRights, Combined Harare Residents Association and World Vision.
“The MDC is resting on a massive European financial pillar for its support, and it must crumble,” the Zanu (PF) minutes say, alleging that “the West is pouring in funds to support them.”
Strategy – The party will also form “Pan African, patriotic and pro-government NGOs and hold workshops for church leadership, academia, uniformed forces and the civil service on patriotism, Africanism and other black consciousness movements”.

Rural support
The party is also worried about MDC making forays into its strongholds.
“We have observed a trend that they have come up with under the guise of inclusivity by reaching out to our rural strongholds, neutralising or wiping away the visibility of the party in these areas,” say the minutes.
Strategy – “Make our youths infiltrate the MDC. Revival of weekend cell groups in townships.” This program will be revived by Zanu (PF) MPs, who will be compelled to present a progress report to the party monthly.
The district coordinating committees will also be required to present reports to the provincial leadership. The party also wants to have monthly provincial exchange visits.
“Nicodemus (sic) distribution of party regalia through church organs in political hot spots like Matabeleland North and South, Gokwe North and Mutare Urban.”
The party will also reintroduce the national music galas, the Mdala Wethu gala, Mzee bira, Heroes and Independence bash.
“We need to create vigilante groups in the townships and seriously revive national youth service which is compulsory for all students,” concluded the minutes.

Additional Reporting: The Zimbabwean