ESIGODINI, the venue of the ruling Zanu PF party’s annual
conference, has been placed under security lockdown ahead of President Emmerson
Mnangagwa’s visit later this week, six months after he survived a deadly bomb
blast at a campaign rally in Bulawayo that killed two aides and injured several
senior party officials.
There has been a heavy security presence in Esigodini ahead
of President Emmmerson Mnangagwa’s visit to the town for the Zanu PF conference
later this week
Armed soldiers and an avalanche of security agents have
besieged the gold-rich Matabeleland South district to provide security to
Mnangagwa and the thousands of Zanu PF party faithful who are expected to
attend the first conference without former leader Robert Mugabe, who was ousted
in a de facto coup in November last year.
Police officers in riot gear were yesterday seen patrolling
the town in a district known for harbouring marauding illegal gold panners who
often engage in fatal clashes.
Several roadblocks have also been mounted on the highway
from Bulawayo to Esigodini and to as far as Gwanda and Filabusi, where some
delegates are staying for the conference which started yesterday.
Although no suspects have been arrested in the blast that
rocked White City Stadium as Mnangagwa (76) left the podium, killing two
security aides on June 23 this year, the Zanu PF leader later told BBC that he
suspected dissidents from his own party, linked to Grace, the wife of his
predecessor Mugabe, were behind the attack.
Among the injured were Vice-President Kembo Mohadi,
Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga’s wife Marry, Defence minister and Zanu PF
chairperson Oppah Muchinguri and national commissar, Retired-Brigadier General
Engelbert Rugeje.
A senior police official who declined to be identified
because he was not authorised to speak to the Press, confirmed the heavy
security deployment for the 5 000 Zanu PF officials expected to attend.
“Yes, we are not taking any chances in terms of security.
The area is a hotspot for crime because of the presence of panners, who come to
Esigodini because of its gold deposits,” he said.
“We have to make sure that the area is cleared of such
unruly elements who might want to take advantage and terrorise delegates coming
for the conference. We are happy with our deployments, so that the conference
goes on without any incident.”
The security details were evident, even in the nearby
Habane township.
But the normally sleepy town is also enjoying the fillip of
hosting the extravagant gathering, with fuel supplies plentiful in all garages
and along the way. Roads leading to the venue have also been patched to spruce
up the mining-cum-agricultural town.
Attendants at most service stations said they have had
regular fuel supplies in the past week and that the deliveries have been
consistent despite the rest of the country continuing to suffer from shortages.
Mohadi, who is also the second secretary of Zanu PF and the
most senior party official in Matabeleland, on Saturday visited Umzingwane Boys
High School, the venue of the conference, for inspection.
He said the conference would place emphasis on economic
development in line with the party’s vision to transform the country to an
upper middle income status by 2030.
Among the delegates invited to attend the conference
include representatives of industry and commerce.
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