adminZapu has announced that it will celebrate what it claims to be the party’s 50 years of existence and has invited entertainment groups to lure the crowd.
The present Zapu party was, however, formed two years ago by disgruntled former members of the original and revolutionary Zapu, which merged with Zanu-PF in 1987 to form the united Zanu-PF.
Popular Bulawayo musician Sandra Ndebele has distanced herself from the event. Ndebele appears on adverts flighted in newspapers by the party as one of the musicians who will perform at the event.
But yesterday she said she does not have a contract to perform at the Zapu function. She said she was in fact engaged elsewhere.
Zanu-PF national chairman Cde Simon Khaya Moyo said the anniversary should not be taken as a serious issue.
“I do not comment on tissues but I comment on issues,” said Cde Khaya Moyo in a telephone interview from Harare.
The Deputy President of the Senate, Cde Naison Khutshwekhaya Ndlovu, who was PF-Zapu’s last chairman, said the anniversary was a violation of the 1987 Unity Accord signed on 22 December between PF-Zapu and old Zanu-PF.
“That is a closed chapter and we cannot keep going back. The Unity Accord is there and it is well documented. People should know that PF-Zapu is alive in Zanu-PF. All the necessary steps towards its signing were taken and everyone was there,” said Cde Ndlovu.
“Even the blind and the deaf know this. If some people decide to walk out of it that is their problem. Even if we go to the court all the evidence is there to show that Zapu leader Dr Joshua Nkomo signed the Unity Accord and we respect that.”
Cde Ndlovu said Dr Dabengwa and his followers were not the appropriate people to talk about pulling away from the Unity Accord as they were not part of the executive that signed it.
“Among Dr Dabengwa’s group none of them was part of the Central Committee or the executive that participated in the signing of the Unity Accord. Dr Dabengwa was in the group of the military which was not involved in the Unity Accord.
“It took a long time before the accord was signed and thorough consultations were made on both sides. The two parties held separate conferences and resolved to come together,” said Cde Ndlovu.
“To continue talking this will appear as if we give them recognition. Unfortunately their followers are being cheated and people from Matabeleland region should not be easily hoodwinked.
“The Unity Accord clearly states that from time to time when people have grievances, they should openly discuss them within the party. If they feel short-changed, they should bring their concerns forward for discussion as we do in our conferences. The political history of this country would remain straightforward and anyone who thinks of reviving Zapu should go to the late Dr Nkomo’s grave.”
Zanu-PF deputy secretary for information and publicity Cde Cain Mathema has also described the anniversary as cheap politicking in order to gain votes in Matabeleland region.
Cde Mathema said the anniversary was an insult to the legacy of the late Dr Nkomo and warned people not to be fooled by Dr Dabengwa’s party, which was formed two years ago, not in 1961.
He said those who were former PF-Zapu members were happy with being in the revolutionary party, Zanu-PF, and were proud to be in it.
However, Zapu spokesperson Mr Methuseli Moyo said his party was going ahead with the anniversary and watered down sentiments against it.
He said party supporters from all parts of the country and abroad, delegates from liberation movements in the region and local political parties would attend the event and give solidarity messages.
“Zapu wishes to assure the general public, in particular the multitudes of our members and supporters, that the party’s 50th birthday anniversary celebration scheduled for Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo on Saturday 17 December is definitely on,” said Mr Moyo.
“We expect supporters from all corners of Zimbabwe to throng the stadium starting from 7am tomorrow. Official proceedings start at 9am. Gates will close as soon as the stadium reaches capacity. Our own party security and the Zimbabwe Republic Police will ensure safety for everyone.”
Mr Moyo said local and foreign arts groups including the popular South Africa mbaqanga group, Soul Brothers, would also perform during the event.
Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Mandlenkosi Moyo could not be reached to comment on whether or not the event has been cleared by police.
Online Reporter