News / Press Release
Zapu calls for lasting solution to economy
16 Feb 2015 at 09:18hrs | Views
The Zimbabwe African Peoples Union (ZAPU) has castigated the ongoing blitz against vendors saying the former were not outlaws but victims of the ruling Zanu (PF) corruption and greediness that has brought untold suffering among citizens.
Of late, vendors have flooded the streets of Harare as well as other towns at a time the country's economy is on a free-fall cruise after the controversial 2013 elections won by President Robert Mugabe.
ZAPU spokesperson Mjobisa Noko said his party which fronted the war through its military wing ZIPRA, is saddened that "minority white rule has been replaced by black-to black oppression where economic participation is based on partisan lines leaving millions of Zimbabweans in simmering poverty".
"When we waged war as oppressed Zimbabweans the propelling force was not only to gain political independence but also to equally own our God-given resources as Zimbabweans regardless of colour, tribe or political affiliation.
"The vision of the late Father Zimbabwe (Dr Joshua Mqcabuko Nkomo) was to see Zimbabweans owning their own land and being productive on it so that families and the country at large benefits," said Mr Noko.
Early this month, ZAPU's National Executive Committee at its Gweru meeting ahead of the congress in August, delved on the sad status of Zimbabwe's economy, expressing concern that most Zimbabweans have been reduced to vendors as unemployment and poverty continue eating deep into millions of lives, said Mr Noko.
"The duty of any democratic government is to ensure that strong systems that safeguard people's welfare are in place and as opposed to the current situation where citizens are reduced to survive on handouts from government '
"Today poverty is the chief enemy of all Zimbabweans hence everyone has been literally reduced to a vendor.
"We therefore strongly demand that government stop harassing these people who are genuine victims of its ill –conceived policies.
"If this clueless government does not know how to save its people from poverty why persecute a hunger stricken ordinary man for fending for his family?
"We are not endorsing street vending but where will they go. This is a clear misplacement of priorities instead of these running battles with vendors, government should focus on rebuilding the economy, attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) and creating employment, "said Noko, emphasizing that this would be the natural answer.
ZAPU, he added, had its lessons in the last elections and now better prepared for the 2018 general elections, hence the upcoming congress is critical to its future as party.
The Congress is slated for August.
"Ever since cutting the unholy ties with ZANU PF we have been making huge inroads as a revolutionary giant. We managed to field representatives in the 2013 general elections and come 2018 we will go a notch higher.
"It is in this spirit that we are currently in a nationwide restructuring exercise from the grassroots with the upcoming congress set to select a new leadership," he said.
Noko said the past five years have seen ZAPU flexing its muscles, through among other strategies, a restructuring exercise in its ten provinces in the country and the four diaspora provinces, but was quick to cite financial constraints as a major challenge to work-plan implementation.
He however blamed former ally ZANU PF for allegedly confiscating ZAPU properties across the country including its Glaudina and Snake Park farms in Harare, saying that "ZAPU would have been the richest party in the country".
Speaking on the issue of the upcoming ZAPU Congress, Noko said all positons, including the presidency will be up for grabs "but through a democratic and transparent manner'
Besides party issues, the congress whose venue is yet to be announced is expected to brainstorm on national issues including the dire state of economy and the health delivery system among other pressing social issues.
Mr Noko said the will be two conferences for women and youths by early April ahead of the national congress that is expected to host 4 000 delegates.
Of late, vendors have flooded the streets of Harare as well as other towns at a time the country's economy is on a free-fall cruise after the controversial 2013 elections won by President Robert Mugabe.
ZAPU spokesperson Mjobisa Noko said his party which fronted the war through its military wing ZIPRA, is saddened that "minority white rule has been replaced by black-to black oppression where economic participation is based on partisan lines leaving millions of Zimbabweans in simmering poverty".
"When we waged war as oppressed Zimbabweans the propelling force was not only to gain political independence but also to equally own our God-given resources as Zimbabweans regardless of colour, tribe or political affiliation.
"The vision of the late Father Zimbabwe (Dr Joshua Mqcabuko Nkomo) was to see Zimbabweans owning their own land and being productive on it so that families and the country at large benefits," said Mr Noko.
Early this month, ZAPU's National Executive Committee at its Gweru meeting ahead of the congress in August, delved on the sad status of Zimbabwe's economy, expressing concern that most Zimbabweans have been reduced to vendors as unemployment and poverty continue eating deep into millions of lives, said Mr Noko.
"The duty of any democratic government is to ensure that strong systems that safeguard people's welfare are in place and as opposed to the current situation where citizens are reduced to survive on handouts from government '
"Today poverty is the chief enemy of all Zimbabweans hence everyone has been literally reduced to a vendor.
"We therefore strongly demand that government stop harassing these people who are genuine victims of its ill –conceived policies.
"If this clueless government does not know how to save its people from poverty why persecute a hunger stricken ordinary man for fending for his family?
ZAPU, he added, had its lessons in the last elections and now better prepared for the 2018 general elections, hence the upcoming congress is critical to its future as party.
The Congress is slated for August.
"Ever since cutting the unholy ties with ZANU PF we have been making huge inroads as a revolutionary giant. We managed to field representatives in the 2013 general elections and come 2018 we will go a notch higher.
"It is in this spirit that we are currently in a nationwide restructuring exercise from the grassroots with the upcoming congress set to select a new leadership," he said.
Noko said the past five years have seen ZAPU flexing its muscles, through among other strategies, a restructuring exercise in its ten provinces in the country and the four diaspora provinces, but was quick to cite financial constraints as a major challenge to work-plan implementation.
He however blamed former ally ZANU PF for allegedly confiscating ZAPU properties across the country including its Glaudina and Snake Park farms in Harare, saying that "ZAPU would have been the richest party in the country".
Speaking on the issue of the upcoming ZAPU Congress, Noko said all positons, including the presidency will be up for grabs "but through a democratic and transparent manner'
Besides party issues, the congress whose venue is yet to be announced is expected to brainstorm on national issues including the dire state of economy and the health delivery system among other pressing social issues.
Mr Noko said the will be two conferences for women and youths by early April ahead of the national congress that is expected to host 4 000 delegates.
Source - Wellington Zimbowa
