Mugabe told to take a leaf from Castro and step down

Zapu has urged President Robert Mugabe to resign over his deteriorating health, taking a leaf from the late former Cuban President Fidel Castro, who retired from politics in 2008 due to failing health.

Zapu spokesperson, Iphithule Maphosa said the opposition party benefited a lot from Castro's leadership during the liberation struggle and said Mugabe must emulate him and resign due to his old age.

Castro died aged 90 on Friday evening after a long battle with illness.

Cuba has declared nine days of national mourning to mark his death. Castro retired from politics in 2008 over failing health, and his brother, Raul succeeded him as President of Cuba. Mugabe turns 93 next year and has been endorsed by his party as its 2018 presidential candidate

Meanwhile, Zapu has dissolved its Bulawayo provincial committee over poor performance and appointed an interim committee to run the party's affairs, pending election of a new provincial committee.

The interim committee is expected to prepare the province for elections to choose a new substantive committee in January 2017.

Zapu national chairperson, Isaac Mabuka confirmed the developments that took place on Sunday. Bulawayo provincial spokesperson, Iphithule Maphosa confirmed the developments, saying the province was expected to come up with a new committee, and to reorganize its structures.