News / Local
ZAPU to contest December by-elections
27 Oct 2023 at 20:03hrs | Views
ZAPU has made the decision to participate in the upcoming December by-elections following consultations with their members and various stakeholders. They aim to prevent Zanu-PF from securing additional constituency seats, which would further consolidate its hold on power.
These deliberations were the result of discussions held by the opposition party with citizens, civic organizations, and other stakeholders. They weighed the options of participating in the elections, which come in the wake of controversial recalls of Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) members.
While CCC leader Nelson Chamisa has opted not to partake in what he termed a "muppet show" orchestrated by a "criminal syndicate" involving figures like Sengezo Tshabangu, the Speaker of the National Assembly Jacob Mudenda, and President Emmerson Mnangagwa, ZAPU has chosen to contest the elections.
ZAPU National Spokesperson Msongelwa Ndlovu explained that their decision was made after conducting extensive internal consultations and engaging with community leaders, residents, vendors, and residents' associations in Bulawayo. This process aimed to ensure that their final decision would not be misconstrued as an endorsement of the recalls or a legitimization of those behind the recalls.
Following what they described as "successful" consultations, ZAPU will field candidates in the vacant constituencies. Ndlovu emphasized that they were responding to the call from those who urged them not to grant the architects of these recalls a free pass.
ZAPU now calls upon all progressive forces to support their candidates and safeguard the democratic space, which they believe has been undermined by malevolent actors.
The by-elections are scheduled for December 9, 2023, in various constituencies, including Beitbridge West, Binga North, Bulawayo South, Cowdray Park, Lobengula-Magwegwe, Lupane East, Mabvuku Tafara, Mpopoma Mzilikazi, and Nketa. Additionally, by-elections to replace the recalled CCC councillors will be held on the same day for various wards.
Before their decision to participate, ZAPU had expressed two opposing views within their membership regarding contesting the by-elections. One section advocated for contestation under all circumstances to prevent Zanu-PF from gaining an uncontested advantage, while the other section emphasized the importance of acting in solidarity with the people whose elected leaders had been denied their positions.
These deliberations were the result of discussions held by the opposition party with citizens, civic organizations, and other stakeholders. They weighed the options of participating in the elections, which come in the wake of controversial recalls of Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) members.
While CCC leader Nelson Chamisa has opted not to partake in what he termed a "muppet show" orchestrated by a "criminal syndicate" involving figures like Sengezo Tshabangu, the Speaker of the National Assembly Jacob Mudenda, and President Emmerson Mnangagwa, ZAPU has chosen to contest the elections.
ZAPU National Spokesperson Msongelwa Ndlovu explained that their decision was made after conducting extensive internal consultations and engaging with community leaders, residents, vendors, and residents' associations in Bulawayo. This process aimed to ensure that their final decision would not be misconstrued as an endorsement of the recalls or a legitimization of those behind the recalls.
ZAPU now calls upon all progressive forces to support their candidates and safeguard the democratic space, which they believe has been undermined by malevolent actors.
The by-elections are scheduled for December 9, 2023, in various constituencies, including Beitbridge West, Binga North, Bulawayo South, Cowdray Park, Lobengula-Magwegwe, Lupane East, Mabvuku Tafara, Mpopoma Mzilikazi, and Nketa. Additionally, by-elections to replace the recalled CCC councillors will be held on the same day for various wards.
Before their decision to participate, ZAPU had expressed two opposing views within their membership regarding contesting the by-elections. One section advocated for contestation under all circumstances to prevent Zanu-PF from gaining an uncontested advantage, while the other section emphasized the importance of acting in solidarity with the people whose elected leaders had been denied their positions.
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