Zapu does not exist, Joshua Nkomo has not rise from the dead

VICE-PRESIDENT Dr John Landa Nkomo has said the Zimbabwe African People's Union (Zapu) which Dr Dumiso Dabengwa claims to be his party does not exist since President Mugabe and the late Vice-President Dr Joshua Nkomo signed the Unity Accord in 1987 and formed Zanu-PF party.

In a speech read on his behalf by Governor and Resident Minister for Matabeleland North Province Thokozile Mathuthu at belated 21st February Movement Commemorations at Lusulu last Friday, Dr Nkomo said Zapu did not exist and anybody who wished to revive it should go and raise Dr Joshua Nkomo from the dead and destroy the Unity Accord.

"President Mugabe and the late Dr Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo called the people together to unite and form one party which is now Zanu-PF. When they went to war they went as one party. So Dabengwa where did you get your Zapu from, which one is your Zapu?

Anybody who wishes to revive Zapu should go and raise Joshua Nkomo from the dead and say: "Let us destroy the Unity Accord which you signed with President Mugabe in 1987',' said VP Nkomo

"Cdes, there is no Zapu which has been revived, akula Zapu evukileyo, Joshua Nkomo has not risen from the dead."

VP Nkomo urged the people of Matabeleland not to be fooled by people as Zanu-PF was the only party that exists.

"Don't be fooled by other people, the only party which exists is Zanu-PF which was formed by PF ZAPU and ZANU.

"If anybody wants to form his or her own party find your own name rather than ukugada kweyabafileyo,"said VP Nkomo.

Turning to the issue of the constitution, VP Nkomo said there were other parties which were defending foreign views at the expense of the black people of Zimbabwe and urged people to defend people's views, natural resources and sovereignty.

"Right now we are in the process of completing a constitution, some parties had brought views which were not the views of the people of Zimbabwe and we refused that. As Zanu-PF we will defend the people's views, sovereignty and natural resources and we want to remove this inclusive Government," said VP Nkomo.

Zanu-PF politburo member and deputy secretary for youth affairs, Edison Chakanyuka, said the 21st February Movement was important as it was a great day for a great man.

"We have a day where we celebrate the President's birthday. As youth league we saw it fit to celebrate the President's birthday because he is a visionary leader, a great man and a war liberator, the day is not only for Zanu-PF but also for the MDCs, it's a great day for a great leader," he said.

Zanu-PF Matabeleland North secretary for administration, Clifford Sibanda, said President Mugabe fought to liberate and emancipate the black people of Zimbabwe.

"Cdes, President Mugabe fought to liberate you from colonialism, imperialism emancipation and bring back land which was brutally taken away by the British.

"All the countries in the world wish to give its people natural resources but President Mugabe has managed to score all these," he said.

Zanu-PF national youth political commissar, Mike Gava, director for youth affairs Tapiwa Zengeya, youth secretary for science and technology, Nqabayezwe Maphosa, secretary for information and publicity Bekezela Sibanda and youth vice-chairperson for Matabeleland North Province Norah Dube, also attended the event.