ZANU-PF has postponed its District Coordinating Committee elections set for next weekend countrywide to pave way for a verification exercise of lower structures.

In an interview yesterday, Zanu-PF spokesperson Cde Rugare Gumbo said the verification process would be done in the next few weeks.

He said dates for the DCC elections would be set only after the party was sure of its lower structures."We have postponed the DCC elections that were set for January 14 and 15," he said.

"I checked with our political commissar (Cde Webster Shamu) and he said we have to do a thorough verification of cells and branches before we can have DCC elections.

"Two Politburo members will be deployed in every district to spearhead the verification process. The purpose of this verification process is to check whether or not all the structures are properly constituted."

Last month, Cde Gumbo indicated that DCC structures were of paramount importance to the party. He said the DCC helped to mobilise the electorate ahead of elections expected later this year.

DCC elections are conducted every two years. They were supposed to be held last year, but were postponed due to other pressing issues. Cde Gumbo said the party would also hold provincial elections this year.

As the party gears up for elections, Cde Gumbo said, Zanu-PF should focus on people-oriented policies. He said the party had resolved to dwell on developmental issues, particularly economic empowerment of ordinary people.

"We have a clear programme for the party as we prepare for elections," he said. "Top on our agenda is to defend the country's independence and sovereignty. It is the duty of every patriotic Zimbabwean to defend the country from machinations of neo-colonialism."

Cde Gumbo said Zanu-PF was prioritising economic turnaround after a decade of sanctions induced economic meltdown. He said there was need to recapitalise the manufacturing sector and promote investment.

Cde Gumbo said there should be a win-win situation between investors and the country through indigenisation.

To ensure sustainable development, Cde Gumbo said, there should be unity of purpose among Zimbabweans.

"Unity is very important if the country is to move forward. Leaders should foster spirit of unity among our people because there is no way we can talk about development when people are divided," he said.