ZAPU president, Dumiso Dabengwa last week revealed that his party had agreed to join forces and form a grand coalition with two MDC formations, but cautioned that they will remain wary in signing any agreement as a way of protecting the party.
Own correspondent
Addressing hundreds of people on Wednesday at Sontala business centre in Kezi, Dabengwa said they had deliberated on a number of issues and agreed to join forces, but he made it clear that they will keep their name.
“As a party we are happy that you our supporters have given us the go ahead to join forces with these other political parties,” he said.
“We have agreed on various issues, but we told them point blank that our name should remain visible so as to avoid what happened in 1987, when the so called Unity Accord was signed.”
Dabengwa said MDC and MDC Renewal promised to meet Zapu at end of November and map the way forward, as they were still deliberating on the name.
“They have promised to come back to us end of this month with their name,” he explained.
“We shall combine our forces together and make sure that everyone benefits in this process as a whole.”
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The former Zipra intelligence supremo denied allegations that Zapu was a Zanu PF project, saying such messages were being spread by propagandists that wanted to destroy his party.
“The most important thing that I want all of you Zapu members to know is that all those who are spreading propaganda that we are a Zanu PF project are lying and they should go back to their political parties and deal with their problems,” he said, in reference to problems bedevilling Zanu PF and MDC-T.
Dabengwa encouraged members to come up with structures in their braches, wards and provinces ahead of their elective congress slated for next year, so that when they work with other parties, information will be clear and be well communicated.
He said he was not likely to contest the next elections, but wanted to give younger politicians a chance to vie for the Presidency.
“It is my wish that the up-and-coming youngsters such as (MDC leader) Welshman (Ncube), (MDC Renewal secretary general, Tendai) Biti and (Mavambo/Kusile/Dawn leader, Simba) Makoni can lead the coalition as presidential candidates, while I remain the president of the party or coalition,” he said.
A grand coalition is due to be launched at the end of the month, with MDC, MDC Renewal, Zapu and MKD set to join forces.
