ZAPU Europe Independence Day Press Statement

Independence Day should mean that we are all as a Nation, free from the bondage of our oppressors and therefore deserving to be celebrated in unison by all. Independence should mean exception of fear for holding different or divergent political views. Isn't it what we went to war for? Independence should mean unity of different ethnicities and races in the land. Did we not go to war to liberate the oppressor and the oppressed? Independence should mean life and hope, without hope we have no life, without life we are nothing. In the past 35 years we have witnessed deterioration of living standards to a level never seen before, we have seen the violation of basic human rights to a degree never witnessed before and we have seen divisions along racial, tribal, economical, and political lines, never seen before.

Fear is the order of the day, security forces are feared instead of revered for protecting the nation. They are used by a political outfit to brutalise innocent citizens, political activists and human rights activists.  When political independence was achieved a few ever thought that fear was going to be order of the day. Many have now resigned themselves to this calamitous situation and do not envision a better state, a state where inner peace is guaranteed, where hope is a natural phenomenon, where jobs are abundant and where food is available to everyone. They think they are powerless, they pray day in and day out for redemptive mercy, but they do not see any change. Many of their age have passed on still praying for change and they are beginning to lose hope. ZAPU will not allow people's hopes to be extinguished by the evil cabal.

On this day, 18th April all Zimbabweans should be coming together and celebrating this magnificent day, however, many do not celebrate it and we do understand why they do not. Some since independence have never felt to be full citizen of the country, not because they lack patriotism but because they are deliberately discriminated against because they belong to a different ethnic group or race. Some of these people left their families, their wives, children and parents behind and went to war to fight for freedom, to fight for independence, but when they came back, they realised that all their sacrifices were in vain. Would you blame them for not celebrating? I wouldn't blame them.

They have been failed by their government which has failed to unite the people. Their government has proven beyond doubt that it is a perennial failure in nation building. Their government thrive in chaos and division. ZAPU is here to change all that, voting for a ZAPU government is voting for progress and prosperity. Voting for a ZAPU government is voting for unity and development. ZAPU will unite everybody in the country; the bottom-line for ZAPU is that all are equal, all participated in the liberation struggle, civilians and armed forces equally. ZAPU has proven over the years that it is a nation-builder, it does not see a colour of man, it does not see the ethnicity of man, but the heart of man.  

Unfortunately, this year's Zimbabwe Independence Day too, shall never be different because the root-causes still remain the same and they will ever remain the same until the Government of Mr Robert Mugabe is inevitably gone. Yes, it will go, that is inevitable, the question is when, but going it will go.

Zimbabweans, never happily celebrate the Independence tinted with the blood of the innocent citizens, betrayal of our true joy gained through our sweat and blood from our colonial oppressors.

Our country's economic destruction has assigned many to permanent poverty and many have risked their souls by crossing crocodile infested rivers to neighbouring countries and faraway lands only to meet xenophobia and at times racism. A time in the life of a nation, every nation comes when people in unison stand up and say no, no more, enough is enough, and we can't be pushed anymore. That time in Zimbabwe has come; we have nothing to lose but everything to gain by standing up and demand our dignity.

Independence Days are meant for the free and not for the oppressed and displaced. We will usher in true independence which will be celebrated by everyone.