Top human rights lawyer elected PDP Vice President

Top human rights lawyer, Kucaka Phulu, was today elected as the People's Democratic Party (PDP) Vice President at the party's General Council meeting at the Rajiv Gandhi Hall at the Harare Showgrounds.

Phulu was elected after all the party's 12 provinces met separately and voted him for the top post.  He will deputise President Tendai Biti.

Also elected for other senior posts in the party today were; former Bulawayo mayor, Thaba Moyo, who becomes the Deputy Chairperson, Wilstaff Stimere, the Deputy Secretary General and Sengezo Tshabangu as the Deputy Organising Secretary.  Petros Mukwena was also appointed as committee member.

In his acceptance speech after the election, VP Phulu pledged to work hard for the PDP and the country in ensuring that Zimbabwe attains democratic change.

"You have given me a job… work to do in order to achieve our goals.  I will assist President Biti in ensuring that we move forward together as I will be there to respect your views and hopes for a better Zimbabwe for all," said VP Phulu.

Soon after the elections, the PDP held its first policy conference, which was attended by over 2 000 people drawn from all the country's provinces.