Paul Nyathi

Zanu PF national political commissar Victor Matemadanda yesterday went out in the streets of Harare to show off that he had survived death by a whisker after he was poisoned by his party collegues in Marondera a fortnight ago.

In his mini “roadshow,” Matemadanda interacted with the business community, vendors, illegal money-changers, students and the general public as he walked through the streets.

The highly colourful dressed Matemadanda said the forces behind his poisoning will never deter him from carrying out his duties in the party where in recent years all national political commissars have left the seat he is occupying slain or fleeing.

Matemadanda survived the poisoning after being admitted in hospital for two weeks with a swollen face and itching eyes.

He was accompanied in his tour of the city by Zanu PF Harare provincial interim executive members led by chairperson Godwills Masimirembwa, Godfrey Gomwe (vice chairman), Ephraim Fundukwa (Secretary for Administration), Kudakwashe Damson (Political Commissar), Hardlife Maposa (Secretary for Security), and Betty Kaseke (Women’s League chairperson), among others.

Matemadanda told journalists and members of the public that he had recovered and was raring to go. He hinted that he was possibly poisoned because his assailants took advantage of him never wanting to be guarded.

“I am alive. I am moving around. I am not a ghost. It’s the normal Matemadanda on the move. I don’t think I should waste my time on that. They have talked about me being poisoned. I have never wanted to be an over-protected commissar.

“I want to meet the people, but it’s up to people. There is nothing I can do. My job demands that I must meet the people and I am not going to be deterred. I will be with the people. I will live with the people,” said Matemadanda.

He said Zanu PF was geared to transform citizens’ livelihoods by implementing the Zanu-PF 2018 general elections’ manifesto.

Matemadanda said he was determined to ensure that everything pledged by President Mnangagwa and Zanu PF would be delivered.

“So essentially, I want to support the President’s programmes and here I am looking at how things are being done. I want to see the movement of people. How they are doing their business including the level of morale in Harare and elsewhere,” he said.

“I have been impressed by the fact that people are happy that the exchange rate is now stable.

“They can plan their business and they are saying their business are picking up. I think this is very important.”

Zanu-PF Harare province chair, Masimirembwa, commended Matemadanda for the interactive meeting with the people.

“We expect him to visit all the six zones in Harare and get to understand the challenges facing the people. He showed that he is indeed the Commissar of the people and is exercising the servant leadership that His Excellency President Mnangagwa pronounces on a daily basis.

“He is a foot soldier of President Mnangagwa. As Harare Province we are very happy,” said Masimirembwa.