Zapu to launch fund for election campaign

The party has been plagued by financial problems since its formation. A few months ago, it suffered the humiliation of being evicted from rented premises where its national headquarters were housed in Bulawayo after it paid failed to pay rental.  The party had fallen into arrears amounting to about $14 000.

Speaking at a press conference after the party’s national conference at a lodge in Gumtree, Dr Dabengwa said all Zapu office bearers would have to pay monthly subscriptions in order to raise funds for the party to meet some of its financial obligations.

“Due to lack of sufficient funds in our organisation, all officers and position bearers will have to pay monthly subscriptions in order to meet financial challenges. In order to hold a position within the party one has to pay a monthly subscription to ensure the party raises funds for next year’s election.

“Members in the national executive council will pay a minimum of $20 while other members of the party in positions will pay a minimum of $10 per month, in addition to the monthly membership subscriptions,” said Dr Dabengwa.

He said the party’s central committee had, at the conference which ended yesterday, selected candidates for local government posts and MPs.  He said the party was willing to form alliances with other political parties sharing similar principles.

“We are open to negotiations to form alliances with other parties as long as they respect the values of the liberation struggle.  They should fully subscribe to the policy of devolution of power, have respect for human rights and subscribe to proportional presentation in Parliament.  At the moment, Zapu is not going into any alliance with any political party,” he said.

Zapu vice-president, Mrs Emilia Mukaratiwa castigated MDC-T leader, Mr Morgan Tsvangirai for displaying poor leadership qualities through practising name calling as a political strategy. She said this in apparent reference to a recent outburst by Mr Tsvangirai in which he dismissed political leaders from the Matabeleland region as “villagers”.