Speaking exclusively to The Zimbabwean, Ncube, who was instrumental in the revival of Zapu in 2008, highlighted the need to clarify his political stance.
“Some of these leaders are trying to discredit my name by linking me to various parties. I am a ZAPU member and not going anywhere. Leaders come and go but the party will remain. I was labeled a Zanu (PF) man and now I am linked with both factions of MDC – these allegations are unfounded,” said the 53-year-old former military leader.
Ncube was ejected from the beleaguered party after saying leadership renewal, including that of party leader Dr Dumiso Dabengwa, was vital. Ncube had further highlighted that Dabengwa was no longer competent to lead the party.
He also questioned why the party’s national executive council had not met for the past three years and why the party did not have an election strategy. He wanted to investigate the continued absence of the party’s secretary-general, Ralph Mguni, who is based in the UK.
Ncube’s expulsion has deepened tension within Zapu with the youths in the city demanding his reinstatement and threatening to defect en-masse to the MDC-T if their request is not granted.
There are also fears that the party is heading for a split amid reports that Ncube was forming a splinter party.
“Zapu deliberately forgot all disciplinary processes and decided not to take me for a hearing. Dabengwa has a personal interest in my career and growth in the party. On two occasions I was suspended for trivial issues only to be found innocent. On this latest one I was tried through the media. I will not move out of the party because I understand my role and what I should do for the party,” said Ncube.
Ncube was Zimbabwe’s liaison officer to the United Nations Mission in Somalia and served in peacekeeping missions and training in different countries in the region and overseas.
Zapu leader, Dumiso Dabengwa, said he had nothing to say about Ncube. “He is no longer our member, so there is nothing to talk about,” said Dabengwa.
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