Zanu-PF’s commissariat department has cut briefings by provincial leaders and ordered that introductions at President Robert Mugabe’s campaign rallies be no longer than 10 minutes, a move insiders say is meant to reduce the time Mugabe spends at rallies because of concerns for his health.
Party insiders told the Mail & Guardian that the move is meant to ensure that Mugabe (89) spends as little time as possible at rallies.
According to a circular issued on July 9 to all Zanu-PF provincial chairs, a copy of which the M&G obtained, the commissariat department told provincial chairs to send written briefings to Mugabe before he gets to their provinces.
Before addressing rallies, Mugabe normally meets provincial and traditional leaders to get briefings on political, social and economic developments in the province.
“To avoid spending too much time on briefings and elaborate introductions at the rallies, chairpersons are requested to compile and present their briefings to His Excellency at least two days before the scheduled date of the rally,” reads the circular.
“Introductions at a rally should take at most 10 minutes, inclusive of singing of the national anthem, prayer, customary payment of respect to the local chief where necessary and welcome of the guest of honour by the women,” it continues.
At campaign rallies, Mugabe is battling memory lapses, forgetting names of people, dates and events.
This election, Mugabe will only address 10 rallies before the July 31 polls, compared with the 52 he addressed in the run up to the 2008 elections.
In 2008, Mugabe would address at least two rallies in a province a day.
At a single rally, he could spend an average of five hours in one place – about two hours were spent in briefings and introductions, whereas his speeches would last for at least an hour-and-a-half.
In the past, Mugabe also took time to greet supporters, but now he only waves at them from a vehicle.
Last month, Mugabe left the country for Singapore – his ninth visit in as many months – for what was described by his spokesperson George Charamba as "a routine medical checkup".