Dabengwa to retire due to old age

THE opposition Zapu has hinted on possible leadership renewal soon following its president, Dumiso Dabengwa's announcement he was ready to give up on active politics because of his age.

Dabengwa (79) has revealed plans to retire citing old age and that it was time he handed over the baton to party youths.

"We need young people to take this movement forward and transform it to contemporary standards. You can take it as you ably demonstrated by this conference on your own with no financial support but from yourselves. I am confident that I leave the party in capable hands of these young people gathered here," Dabengwa told the party's youths during an elective congress held in Bulawayo last year.

In an interview with NewZimbabwe.com, Zapu spokesperson, Iphithule Maphosa said the restructuring and rebranding exercise was in response to the feedback which the party's leadership got from the electorate during the campaign period.

Maphosa said the former ZIPRA intelligence chief will likely join the party's council of elders which advises leadership.

Dabengwa supported MDC Alliance president Nelson Chamisa's presidential bid during the elections.