Be our Guest

National Army as an army officer. I fought and commanded in notable battles including the recapture of Casa Banana in Mozambique, commonly known as Gorongoza. I have contributed to the set-up of many large business corporations in Zimbabwe. I have the highest distinction in Strategic Management with emphasis in telecommunications at doctorate level from Cheshire University in UK.
GP: On what principles is the UPP founded?
DS: On the principle to emancipate the Zimbabwean people and bring true, equitable and a democratic political landscape for all Zimbabweans. And, by the rejection of the corrupt, partisan and authoritarian Zanu (PF) system, the need to have the respect for the rule of law, a shared governance that is non-regional and non-tribal by the promotion of regional autonomy at local governance level.
GP: Does the UPP have any substantive executive in place?
DS: We have interim executives countrywide and are preparing for our first congress in which substantive executives will be elected and an official pronouncement of our participation in the 2008 presidential election will be officially pronounced. UPP is busy building its structures at grassroots level.
GP: You have no access to funds available under the Political Parties Finance Act. Who is funding your party?
DS: The party is financing its activities from its current membership. We hope to soon embark on a nationwide fundraising initiative and to embark on other income generating projects in order to drive and move forward this critical national agenda.
GP: Before forming the UPP you were a member of the Zanu (PF) Central Committee and also Masvingo chairman. Do you see Mugabe giving in to pressure and abandoning his plan to postpone elections?
DS: Zanu (PF)’s biggest challenge is to overcome the internal politics of partisanship. Any independent thought or exercise is deemed to be treacherous and the so-called Tsholotsho Declaration is testimony to that. And so the authoritarian rule of Zanu (PF) is fortunately meeting internal resistance and consequently the realization that even Zanu (PF) is fed up by the continued perpetuation of evil and furtherance of corruption.
GP: You were ejected from the ruling party after being fingered among provincial chairpersons who were plotting a coup in Zanu (PF). Can you give us an insight into what happened at Dinyane High School in 2004?
DS: Totally nothing. Meetings took place all the time. Infact Zanu (PF) is today trying to achieve what the six chairpersons were trying to achieve…
GP: Which was to?
DS: Stopping the authoritarian perpetuation of power. If Zanu (PF) is indeed as popular as it thinks, it should subject itself to a fair electoral process and respect the democratic will of its people by holding presidential elections in 2008 and adopting a democratic popular national constitution.
GP: UPP contested the Chiredzi South by-election last month, controversially won by Zanu (PF). What are you views with regards contesting elections whose outcome is pre-determined?
DS: UPP’s participation in elections is not an endorsement of the flawed electoral processes that exist but an acknowledgement that we must remain relevant even while we are cleaning up our electoral systems. Zanu (PF) should expect a lot of challenges from the UPP in this regard so that the will of the people can prevail. It is clear that the electoral systems in Zimbabwe are heavily compromised, a clear indication of the decay of democracy in Zimbabwe.
GP: To what extent is the UPP involved in the emerging opposition alliance, the Save Zimbabwe Coalition?
DS: Zimbabwe’s opposition parties ought to be introspective first and find out where their ideologies converge. Hasty marriages of convenience, most often than not, lead to painful divorces.
GP: But don’t you think the opposition would be more effective challenging Zanu (PF) as a united front?
DS: In other democracies you get the Labour Party, the Republicans, the Democrats etc. Those identities are premised on policy ideology. The question should be ‘are Zimbabwean opposition parties mature enough to define those policies and their ideologies in a broader perspective with the aim of forging a shared political platform.’ The UPP will remain engaged with other political parties for the purpose of ensuring that there is platform for cross-pollination with other opposition parties in Zimbabwe.
GP: How do you view the ban on rallies?
DS: The ban is illegal and is camouflaged through draconian legislation. Zanu (PF) must openly confirm to the nation if it has declared a state of emergency and should not attempt to do so through the backdoor.