Opinion / Columnist
The Implications of the recent fighting between ZAPU and ZANU
13 Jan 2014 at 21:59hrs | Views
In 1987, following the genocide committed by ZANU PF, the only genocide of its kind in the modern history in Southern Africa, the so called Unity Accord was signed between PF-ZAPU and ZANU. The only rationale behind signing the agreement for ZAPU was to halt the massacres, but for ZANU was to consolidate power in its quest for a one party state.
The Unity Accord was simply an insult to ZAPU, just have a look:
1. That Zanu-PF and PF-Zapu have irrevocably committed themselves to unite under one political party
2. That the unity of two political parties shall be achieved under the name Zimbabwe African National Union (Patriotic Front) in short Zanu PF
3. That President Mugabe shall be First Secretary and President of Zanu PF
4. That Zanu PF shall have two second secretaries and Vice-Presidents who shall be appointed by the First Secretary and President of Zanu PF
5. That Zanu PF shall seek to establish a socialist society in Zimbabwe on the guidance of Marxist-Leninist principles
6. That Zanu PF shall seek to establish one-party state in Zimbabwe
7. That leadership of Zanu PF shall abide by leadership code
8. That existing structures of Zanu PF and PF-Zapu shall be merged in accordance with the letter and spirit of this agreement
9. That both parties shall, in the interim, take immediate vigorous steps to eliminate and end insecurity and violence prevalent in Matabeleland
10. That Zanu PF and PF-Zapu shall convene their respective congresses to give effect to this Agreement within the shortest possible time
After the signing of the agreement ZANU continued to humiliate and frustrate ZAPU leadership in ZANU PF, to an extent that these ZAPU leaders became the enemy of their supporters as they were seen as useless in the Unity arrangement which failed to bring about development in their communities.
It was however, known that it was just a matter of time before ZAPU served ZANU PF with divorce papers. When ZAPU leaders like Dr Dumiso Dabengwa and others voiced their dissatisfaction, Dr Nkomo told them to swallow their pride in order to save the people's lives. Dr Nkomo said "ngenani niphume lingena daka". So the withdrawal was predetermined. Those who behave as if Nkomo was happy with the Unity Accord are fooling themselves. Nkomo as a visionary knew that an opportune time for pulling out was going to eventually come, but sounded a warning to ZAPU leaders to be vigilant and remain principled and not to indulge in violence and corruption as is the norm in ZANU PF.
The long awaited time came in 2009, under the leadership of Dr Dumiso Dabengwa, ZAPU pulled out from the grossly skewed unity agreement. Since the withdrawal, as expected ZAPU has gone through difficult times. Upon its revival many people swamped its ranks, but in no time the vultures deserted ZAPU when they realised that ZAPU did not have money. Some of the people who left the party were genuine cadres who did not like what they observed of the leadership at the time, they became exasperated and frustrated; some it was due to ideological differences and some left with a view of trying to destroy the party. Those who left because of differences it is envisaged that as the party grows in strength as has been the case recently that they will return back into the fold.
Some people may think that ZANU just came out of the blue to ask ZAPU and Dr Dabengwa to return back to ZANU PF, the truth is it is not so, ZANU PF got wind of ZAPU's resurgence after the elections and panicked. The elections outcome was meant to force ZAPU to crumble, but contrary to the popular belief and expectation the outcome had a diametrically opposite effect. The ZAPU leaders and members were not disheartened by the dismally performance at the polls, this might be due to the belief that elections were significantly rigged. It will also be remembered that ZAPU is the only party which discovered the multi-entries of voters on the voters' rolls.
It is very clear why President Mugabe has decided to beg Dr Dumiso Dabengwa to come back to ZANU PF, a request which Dr Dabengwa has emphatically dismissed with the disdain it deserves. The first reason for Mugabe to beg Dabengwa is because somehow Mugabe has heard how ZAPU is fiercely regrouping after the elections and becoming an unstoppable tsunami; the second reason, is that it is clear that ZAPU did not perform as dismally as portrayed by the rigged election results. If the election outcome was a true reflection of the people's will then Mugabe and his ZANU PF would not be panicking as they are doing right now.
It is possible that ZAPU won the majority of the seats where it had fielded candidates.
Then this leads to the implications of the recent wars between ZAPU and ZANU, let me start by listing them, the list is not exhaustive, a) ZAPU is no longer a push over; b) Mugabe unwittingly acknowledged that the former ZAPU members in ZANU are not ZAPU; c) re-energised ZAPU membership and supporters; d) myths and misconceptions about ZAPU dispelled and finally e) confirmation of ZAPU's good performance in the just ended general elections.
ZAPU has proven beyond doubt that it is now a force to reckon with, if you throw mud at it, it will throw it back at you. ZAPU is alive. WE have witnessed in the recent weeks when ZANU PF and its protégés tried to attack ZAPU that they discovered in a very hard way what ZAPU is capable of doing. ZAPU is the party of the moment with a clear view of the future, to build a state whose foundations would be built on multiplicity and wholly shun all forms of tribalism as espoused by ZANU PF and MDCT.
A few people doubt Mugabe's intellectual firepower but he was caught with his pants on the knees in the washroom, he unwittingly confirmed that ZAPU has fully and successfully pulled out of ZANU PF and also confirmed that those former ZAPU cadres who remained in ZANU PF are nothing but individuals as ZAPU is out there with Dr Dabengwa. Some people have been accusing Dr Dabengwa and ZAPU of being used by ZANU PF; we now hope that this has been laid to rest.
The ZAPU members and supporters have been reinvigorated by the fight between ZAPU and ZANU. This has helped the party in its publicity endeavours and it is clear that from now onward ZAPU is unstoppable and it is on its course to fulfil its policy of devolution of power. All the ZAPU Provinces' engines are cranking to life simultaneously.
Conclusion:
It is clear that ZAPU gained immensely in terms of publicity due to ZANU PF's intransigence and obduracy regarding ZAPU properties, and it is clear that as long as ZANU PF keeps on refusing with ZAPU properties that this will work in ZAPU's favour.
There will also come a time when ZAPU will confront ZANU PF regarding the gukurahundi genocide.
Source - Thulani Nkala
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