Zapu youths up in arms against executive

OPPOSITION ZAPU youths in Bulawayo are up in arms against their executive whom they accused of being invisible since they got into office only to resurface towards the party's congress this month.

The youths accused party chairperson, Meluleki Sibanda and provincial secretary, Victor Nhliziyo of sabotaging the youth executive in the city.

It is alleged the two have, since their election to their posts in May, been AWOL and allegedly resurfaced in November in time for the congress to "grab posts".

The youths are not happy of what one of them referred to "coming at the opportune time to perch on positions while we work our butts out to provide a podium" for non-performers.

They indicated that they have lost confidence in both Sibanda and Nhliziyo's leadership and appealed to the party leadership to expeditiously find a solution to their problem.

Sources said the Bulawayo main provincial leadership supported the disgruntled youths. Both Sibanda and Nhliziyo could not be reached for comment, but provincial information secretary Iphuthule Maphosa could neither agree nor confirm the allegations, preferring to say "such things happen towards party congresses".

"Zapu is a big party going to congress in a week‘s time. Isn't it obvious and normal that during such times as this things like this are bound to happen in such political parties? "

"There is an element of lobbying for posts at congress and as you know lobbying and canvassing has no formula, nor template, it could be one of those processes taking place if indeed there is anything you are talking about.

"This is just but a normal scenario being blown out of proportion," Maphosa said, in a clearest indication that indeed there is disgruntlement in the youth ranks.

Zapu leader, Dumiso Dabengwa is expected to be elected unopposed at the congress as so far no other party officials have shown interest in challenging him.

The congress was postponed twice this year owing to financial constraints.