News / Press Release
ZAPU is NOT forming any election alliances - Dabengwa
24 Jun 2012 at 22:41hrs | Views
In response to the Zimbabwe Independent staff writer's article of June 22-28, 2012 (page 5), I wish to clarify the apparent confusion pertaining to my participation with other opposition parties on the Common Issues Platform (CIP) press briefing.
ZAPU is an opposition party and is open to interaction with all Zimbabwean parties in particular, to share views on common issues of interest with those in opposition without compromising its identity.
Note for example:
Our participation at a Political Symposium held in Nyanga in February 2010 sponsored by the Democracy Institute. ZAPU was represented by R.V. Nyathi, our Secretary for the National Council of Elders.
A Civil Society event held in Harare on 5 June 2012, on COPAC. This was attended by our Vice President â€" Ms Mukaratirwa
The occasion of June 7 was yet another invitation from the Democracy Institute to political parties outside the GNU to respond to issues raised at the Civic Organisation event of the 4th of June. The ZAPU Vice President and other party officials were in attendance.
At this meeting, the political parties on CIP decided to petition H.E. President Zuma for an opportunity to meet him during his next visit to Zimbabwe so that we could make our submissions of issues and proposals on the way forward in our country.
As a SADCC facilitator, we understand his limitations, and left it to him to choose the timing for such a meeting. This was the Press briefing to which the ZAPU President was invited to attend on 8 June 2012.
ZAPU will always remain open and available to share ideas with other opposition parties on issues of common interest. We expect all other opposition parties who value such platforms to come on board.
We have not and currently do not envisage discussing forming election alliances as alleged by PUMA.
As for holding discussions to form an election pact under the banner of the Patriotic Union of Matebeleland (Puma), I wish to dissociate ZAPU from such coalition talks. ZAPU would like to be given more details of its involvement in those talks.
Thank you
D. DABENGWA (Dr.)
President, Zimbabwe African People's Union (ZAPU)
ZAPU is an opposition party and is open to interaction with all Zimbabwean parties in particular, to share views on common issues of interest with those in opposition without compromising its identity.
Note for example:
Our participation at a Political Symposium held in Nyanga in February 2010 sponsored by the Democracy Institute. ZAPU was represented by R.V. Nyathi, our Secretary for the National Council of Elders.
A Civil Society event held in Harare on 5 June 2012, on COPAC. This was attended by our Vice President â€" Ms Mukaratirwa
The occasion of June 7 was yet another invitation from the Democracy Institute to political parties outside the GNU to respond to issues raised at the Civic Organisation event of the 4th of June. The ZAPU Vice President and other party officials were in attendance.
At this meeting, the political parties on CIP decided to petition H.E. President Zuma for an opportunity to meet him during his next visit to Zimbabwe so that we could make our submissions of issues and proposals on the way forward in our country.
As a SADCC facilitator, we understand his limitations, and left it to him to choose the timing for such a meeting. This was the Press briefing to which the ZAPU President was invited to attend on 8 June 2012.
ZAPU will always remain open and available to share ideas with other opposition parties on issues of common interest. We expect all other opposition parties who value such platforms to come on board.
We have not and currently do not envisage discussing forming election alliances as alleged by PUMA.
As for holding discussions to form an election pact under the banner of the Patriotic Union of Matebeleland (Puma), I wish to dissociate ZAPU from such coalition talks. ZAPU would like to be given more details of its involvement in those talks.
Thank you
D. DABENGWA (Dr.)
President, Zimbabwe African People's Union (ZAPU)
Source - Zapu
