Zapu hit by defections

Dr Dumuso Dabengwa's Zapu suffered a major blow this week when senior members of its South African chapter defected to the Movement for Democratic Change formation led by Prime Minster Mr Morgan Tsvangirai.

The party's heavyweights that defeated are former National Constitutional Assembly national spokesperson George Mkhwananzi, Nsununguli Mbongolwane and Innocent Moyo.

Mbongolwane was the deputy chairman of the Pretoria branch whereas Mkhwananzi chaired the same.

Announcing his defection Msununguli said:

"I'm more than happy to be part of a progressive movement like MDC T, this has been my wish to be part of this party for long, and now that I'm back to the people's movement I will work towards recruiting other members who are also in darkness like me and my other colleagues.

"This move is not necessitated by anyone within ZAPU or any pressure from anyone as been reported by other bogus media houses. I have left ZAPU due to the fact that i totally disagree with their Party ideologies and principles. As such I'm happy to be part of the Movement for Democratic Change led by the Right Hon. Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai.


Kwanele Moyo the MDC South Africa Provincial chairperson welcomed all defected members and praised them to see the light, he however started that MDC T is still open to all lost members to come back and finish what we started 12 years back. He however challenged all those who are still outside the Party to follow suit as MDC T is the only progressive movement ready to rule in Zimbabwe.


Addressing on the same day Giyani Dube the Provincial Youth Assembly Chairperson emphasized unite amongst Party members and said,

"All those who think they are bigger than the MDC will not be tolerated within the Party, we will never watch and fold our arms while people do as they please within the movement, it's our duty and our role to provide leadership as enshrined in our constitution. We will fight all forms of disrespect by unruly elements within our structures as a way of maintaining peace, dignity and stability within our Movement; all those who disrespect the current leadership will feel the pinch soon.

He however praised all those who re-joined MDC T and saying:

"This is your home, feel comfortable and be part of change, we are expecting more members soon, we are already in full swing recruiting new members and strengthening our structures in South Africa in preparation for the next coming election."I would like to take this opportunity to invite my fellow youth brothers and sisters to go out in their numbers and register to vote as we all prepare going home for our festive season" he said.


Responding to ZANUPF violence to MDC T members he said:

"As the youth assembly we are not a group of pastors, nor a bunch of criminals, we will defend our parents from these rogue Zanupf vultures, if it means pound for pound, tooth for tooth let it be, we are sick and tired of being Zanu pf punch bags, we will defend ourselves and our parents this time."

He also urged all youths to go out in their numbers in defense of their relatives from Zanu pf criminals.

Freedom Ndlovu the JHB District chairperson urged all District members to concentrate more on recruiting new members and tolerating each other within the Party regardless of our tribal backgrounds, I am ready for the tusk ahead of us, we will make sure that we recruit more and more members as we move towards our next coming elections." he said.

Kwanele Moyo announced a new JHB District executive as follows :

 Johannesburg District Structure

Chairperson       Freedom Ndlovu
Deputy Chairperson Solomon Mudadi
Secretary Time Sipuma
Deputy Secretary Nkosilathi Ncube
Organizing Secretary Trust Ndlovu
Deputy organ Bongani Mathe
Treasurer Ian Mclister
Deputy Treasurer Judge Ncube
Information & Publicity Alice Mhlanga
Welfare Milton Matshazi
Deputy Welfare Emmanuel Mutero
Director of elections Mcedisi Bhebhe
Youth Assembly Chairperson Justice Siwela
Women Assembly Chairlady Millicent Mthetwa


Zapu could not be reached for comment.