Zanu PF chief whip Togarepi ‘orders’ all party MPs to buy handbook authored by unheralded author for USD18k
Some top businessmen present were 'forced' to buy the handbook after the initial bid of USD5 000 found no takers.
Harare- IN an unprecedented move,Zanu PF chief whip Pupurai Togarepi has vowed to order all ruling party parliamentarians to buy a handbook authored by a youthful Zanu PF loyalist Tinashe Ngirandi(21), writes Express Mail Zim.
Togarepi made the declaration during the official launch of the handbook titled “Building Zimbabwe Together” held in the capital Thursday.
“Im wearing my hat as the chief whip and one of my roles is to whip people into line(laughs) and I will instruct all our MPs to buy the book for USD100.
“This book has issues of national cause and developmental coming from a young man.
“On Wednesday (next week) we are holding a caucas meeting where we will also invite Ngirandi,” he said much to the applause of the guests.
Zanu PF has at least 176 members in the House of Assembly and the USD100 ‘forced’ purchase per head would translate to approximately USD18 000.
Togarepi said he has worked closely with the former junior parliamentarian (Ngirandi) since he was also a youth leader in his own right.
Togarepi has been Zanu PF secretary for youth affairs at the age of 55.
This is typical of the ‘old guard’ system of Zanu PF youth leadership with the late Absolom Nkosana easily coming into mind.
The few ‘youths’ who have led the ruling party youth league include self exiled G40 acolyte Patrick Zhuwao, Kudzanai Chipanga, Tendai Chirau,Lewis Matutu. Vimbai Musvaburi and John Pfumbidza who served in different capacities in the youth league leadership.
The roles of the chief whip includes ensuring party discipline, lobbying colleagues to support party policies and bills and basically maintaining party cohesion, and supporting party’s legislative agenda.
Meanwhile, the official launch of the handbook was officiated by Vice President Hon.Col.K.V.D Mohadi.
It was attended by several high-ranking government officials and party members, with Ngirandi receiving praise for his initiative and dedication to national development.
The handbook “Building Zimbabwe Together” covers various issues related to nation-building and development, with a focus on the role of young people in driving progress.
However, some top businessmen present were ‘forced’ to buy the handbook after the initial bid of USD5 000 found no takers.
The event director had to literally and unshamedly ‘force’ the businessmen to buy the book and the cumulative value of pledges reached to at least USD30 000.
Ngirandi said he will use the money to develop his rural home of Shurugwi snd uplift the youths’ livelihood inspired by the mantra “Nyika Inovakwa nevene vayo”.
