Zanu PF tests popularity with membership cards

Zanu PF tests popularity with membership cards

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By Agencies

ZIMBABWE'S ruling party has launched new membership cards as a way of testing its popularity ahead of next year's polls, state television reported Tuesday.

Members and senior party officials will now have to pay monthly subscription fees to belong to President Robert Mugabe's ruling Zimbabwe African National Union, the Patriotic Front (Zanu-PF), the party finance secretary said.

"Any serious political party, as Zanu-PF is, needs to know its membership strength," David Karimanzira said in comments broadcast on the main television news.

"What would be the best way to determine the membership strength besides through payment of membership fees and subscriptions?"

Ordinary membership cards, which are valid from now until 2009, will cost ZIM$5 000 (80 US cents) per card, the report said.

Meanwhile, monthly subscriptions would also need to be paid by members, with officials in the decision-making politburo paying the highest amount of ZIM$42 000 ($6.70) per month the report said.

The announcement comes as the country prepares for polls next March.

The opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) is lobbying other countries in the southern African region to pressure Harare for a postponement of these.

The MDC has said it would participate only if the Mugabe government stuck to electoral reforms.
Sapa
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