Dabengwa will never rejoin Zanu PF, says Zapu

ZAPU has dismissed allegations that its party president Dumiso Dabengwa is contemplating rejoining Zanu PF in order to position himself for the vice presidency post which senior Zapu members in the ruling party are jostling for ahead of the party's crunch 2014 December congress

Recent reports indicated that the former Zipra intelligence supremo was positioning himself for the VP post which according to the Zanu-Zapu 1987 unity pact is a preserve for Zapu members.

In an interview with Bulawayo24 news today, Dabengwa's spokesperson who doubles as Zapu's spokesperson Mjobisi Noko dismissed as malicious reports that his boss was stalling a possible grand coaltion between Zapu, MDC Renewal Team and other political parties excluding Zanu PF and MDC-T.

"This is mischievous," said Noko. "We have said it publicly that as a party that Dabengwa will never go back to Zanu PF. As a matter of fact even Dabengwa himself has made it clear that he will never rejoin Zanu (PF) for whatever reasons."

Noko also said his party had would not dabble into Zanu PF succession battles because they had nothing to do with the ruling party's internal politics.

He said Zapu was not stalling plans to establish one formidable political front with other parties saying "our National Executive Council is still consulting with party members in all provinces."

But yesterday a local weekly reported that Zapu and Kusile/Mavambo fronted by 2008 presidential aspirant Simba Makoni were mulling pulling out of the grand coalition of parties.

While observers are skeptical of a grand coalition in due course, MDC led by Welshman Ncube and MDC Renewal Team fronted by Tendai Biti seem agreeable on a pact while National Constitutional Assembly led by Lovemore Madhuku insists it will join the grand coalition if it "addresses the plight of ordinary Zimbabweans."

Additional reporting - Zimbabwe Independent