By Fanuel Chinowaita
MUTARE – The Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) has ordered all miners in Manicaland Province to pay a mandatory US$3,000 each towards the ruling ZANU PF’s 22nd National Annual People’s Conference, set for Mutare from 13 to 18 October 2025.
According to a circular dated 28 September 2025, signed by the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution in Manicaland, Advocate M. Mugadza, the directive followed a party fundraising meeting.
“Following a ZANU PF 22nd National Annual People’s Conference fundraising meeting held on the 28th of September 2025, a resolution was passed regarding the upcoming conference. As per the resolution, all miners are required to contribute a minimum of $3,000 USD towards the fundraising efforts for the conference,” the letter read.
The circular emphasized that the contributions were compulsory, with payments due by 2 October 2025.
The directive has sparked widespread criticism, with civic groups, miners, and labour organisations condemning the move as coercive and unconstitutional.
James Mupfumi, Director of the Centre for Research and Development (CRD), described the directive as “clear evidence of kleptocratic governance rooted in the politicisation of natural resources.”
“These contributions buy political cover, allowing mining operators to ignore health, safety, and environmental regulations, as is already happening at sites like Redwing Mine and Mutare River,” Mupfumi said.
Centre for Natural Resource Governance (CNRG) Communications and Advocacy Officer, Donald Nyarota, said the decision erases the boundary between party and state.
“This is not asking; it is a directive. It coerces the private sector to finance party activities. It undermines political neutrality, voluntary association, and fair business practices,” said Nyarota.
He added that the ruling party was demanding funds at a time when the mining sector is blamed for rampant environmental destruction without rehabilitation. “Instead of addressing injustices, the party is in fact asking for money to fund its fiesta. This is regrettable.”
Cossy Sunguro of the Zimbabwe Diamond and Allied Workers Union (ZIDAWU) questioned the legality of the directive.
“While I am not privy to the clause that makes it mandatory, I think it rests upon the respective companies to adhere or not. From a labour perspective, I want to know if the companies are complying with workers’ rights in the sector,” he said.
Marange Development Trust leader Malvern Mudiwa denounced the move as extortion.
“That’s unheard of. It’s not acceptable at all — extortion at its worst. Who told them everyone belongs to their party?” he asked.
Some miners privately admitted they had no choice but to comply. One operator, speaking on condition of anonymity, likened the payments to a “protection fee.”
“We have to comply. When you are in mining, you are forced to contribute to ZANU PF programs. Failure to do so, you may wake up one day without a claim,” he said.
The ZANU PF Annual People’s Conference is the ruling party’s biggest yearly gathering, bringing together thousands of delegates to deliberate on national and party issues.