ZAPU talks leadership

The much-awaited congress is expected to come up with a clear leadership, particularly the party president. Zapu national spokesperson, Methuseli Moyo, said the party was working on the logistics that would enable it to host its first congress.

He said the first congress would extensively discuss and adopt policies that would map the way forward for the party.

The party congress will debate and endorse the amended ZAPU constitution,

party policy and manifesto. Also, the congress will elect a substantial National Executive Committee and Council of Elders Committee. The party will emerge from congress with substantial leadership and commonly adopted policies and a manifesto to lead us to victory in the forthcoming national elections, the spokesperson said.

In the run-up to the congress, the party has been rocked by internal fights and threats with some members denouncing the leadership of the partys Interim Chairman, Dumiso Dabengwa.

The party spokesperson said, ZAPU had always been a disciplined party, and the congress would address cases of indiscipline.

Moyo said, as part of preparations for the congress, the party had started holding elections to choose substantive branch committees, after which district leadership would be elected.

We expect structures to elect provincial committees by March. Provincial chairpersons have been instructed through a circular on the procedures to

be followed on conducting elections. Only registered or card-carrying members of Zapu are allowed to contest elections, which should be conducted jointly by the interim provincial committee and council of elders, said the ZAPU spokesperson.

He, however, said they were still debating on whether to have a president or to continue with the chairmanship.

We are still deliberating on the issue of the presidents post. We might continue with chairmanship and when the election comes we then appoint a suitable candidate. But this issue will be dealt with by the Council of Elders who will come up with a selection criteria for members vying for posts, he said.

Moyo said a committee to prepare for the congress, with members drawn from all the countrys 10 provinces, and headed by ZAPUS interim secretary for finance, Stylish Magida, has been tasked to mobilise resources and logistics such as conference venue, transport, accommodation, food and materials for the congress.

The partys spokesperson said they expected about five thousand delegates from all over Zimbabwe, and ZAPUS Diaspora provinces of South Africa, United Kingdom and Europe provinces to attend the congress.