A big thank you says ZAPU

The ZAPU President, Dr. Dabengwa and the entire leadership of ZAPU would like to express their sincere gratitude and heartfelt thank you to all the people of Bulawayo who voted for the Party and those who wanted to vote but could not do so for various reasons.

ZAPU participated in five constituencies in Bulawayo, namely Phelandaba-Mpopoma; Lobengula-Njube; Luveve; Pumula and Makokoba.  The figures of the June by- elections results are an indicator that ZAPU is now certainly bigger than what it was before the by-election and set to be a force to reckon with in the national elections in 2018.  There is no more going back.

ZAPU further more extends its thanks to the people of Bulawayo for the reception they gave to the Party from during the door to door campaigns where community members expressed their views and wishes as to how they feel the country should be governed. The electorate applauded ZAPU for being visible for the first time since its withdrawal from the Unity Accord and encouraged ZAPU to stay the course until the final destination. It is the view of ZAPU that the greatest achievement for the Party regarding the by-elections was its ability and opportunity to re-establish itself in the political terrain by being visible, reconnecting and interacting with the people during the door to door road shows. ZAPU feels that this is a foundation which the Party should build on. ZAPU will continue to engage Zimbabweans  across the country from all walks of life in a quest to finding lasting solutions to problems affecting the country at the moment.

When people appraise a race they usually regard the one who comes first as the winner. There cannot be winners without competitors. Competitors in a race are all potential winners on the basis of their participation.  Happiness is not the reserve of the winner of a race. Those who take part and perceived as the underdog but inevitable run to the end of the race are certainly the happiest as the experience provides them with opportunities to better their game in future. ZAPU regards participating in the by-elections as something positive and a learning curve in its long and intricate political journey for democracy, human rights and freedoms for the people of Zimbabwe.

ZAPU is equally grateful to the thousands of its volunteers who worked diligently and tirelessly behind the scenes planning, strategising, providing electoral logistics, material, emotional and practical support. Without this support ZAPU would otherwise not have been able to wage an effective and successful campaign and to exponentially increase its electoral appeal.

The whole novelty of democracy is built on the foundation of voting. The essence of voting is to give people the power to choose their leaders to run the country.  ZAPU recognizes and respects the voice of the people to be heard and as such respects the choices that they make.  This is not to say that the by-elections were free and fair, it has to be remembered that ZAPU went to court to fight for electoral processes which are fair and the Court reserved the judgment of the case. The exercise of people's democratic rights means that people have the right to vote for whoever they want to in a free and fair electoral environment.  

ZAPU in its press statement for the June 2015 by-elections observed that there are some recognizable improvements since the 2013 elections. The Zimbabwe Election Commission (ZEC) was able to avail the electronic Voters' Rolls, albeit rather late as it was indeed a few days before Election Day.  Even though the elections were on a much lesser scale, there was a marked reduction in the number of reported incidents of violence and intimidation, save for those reported in the Northern parts of the country, in areas such as Hurungwe.

Sadly, there was rampant vote-buying by our opponents from the ruling party, from food parcels in rural areas to the extent of hijacking a simple bus acquisition by a very popular local football club in Bulawayo, Highlanders FC. The bus was used in the most despicable manner as a ZANU-PF ‘handover' ceremony - not only angering a lot of non-partisan football fans, but those who do not want anything to do with ZANU-PF whatsoever. It is also irresponsible and provocative as it went against the Club's constitution to involve the Club in politics or a political gathering.

ZAPU wishes to see to it that the new Constitution of the country is implemented IN ALL ASPECTS. The main focus should firstly be to ensure that ALL Zimbabweans subscribe to and are effectively protected by its founding provisions (Chapter 1) and its National Objectives (Chapter 2) and To implement the provisions of a devolved system of Government as set out in Chapter 14 Para 264 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe.

Many of our supporters appear to have stayed away from voting mainly because they have lost confidence in the electoral system that has always been marked by irregularities throughout since 1980. A snapshot survey revealed that people do not trust ZANU to play fairly; they said that voting is a waste of time as ZANU will always rig the elections.  However, what many may not understand is that boycotting the vote may have long-term disastrous consequences. Voting is the agent of change, when people vote in great numbers this makes it very difficult for ZANU to rig the election.  ZAPU encourages its supporters to turn up in their numbers in the next elections to vote for it to remove the ruling ZANU PF government which is not performing its duties satisfactorily and has failed the people of Zimbabwe.

ZAPU believes that voting offers every citizen a medium of expression. In a country as diverse as Zimbabwe different provinces have different concerns and priorities. The process of voting particularly in a devolved system  allows every citizen to have a say in what should constitute the matters of importance by voting for the candidate  with the best qualities and skills for the job

ZAPU acknowledges in its June 2015 by-election press statement  that there are many lessons that have been  derived from the 10 June 2015 by-elections through its participation, these are both in the state of play of the electoral field and also in the manner in which the electorate exhibited fatigue and despondency.  The perennial loopholes still exist in the management of the electoral process. These include the weakness, lack of adequate resources and failure of ZEC to assume full control of the electoral instruments and processes. On the political front there were also important lessons in the way the voters opposed to the encroachment of ZANU-PF into the city rallied to the building of a common front. The potential for a people-centered coalition of democratic forces became manifest, and is increasingly the rallying cry as we prepare for the 2018 elections. We are happy to have provided the platform for highlighting the importance of unity of purpose that transcends narrow labels and parochial loyalties.

Voting is your democratic and human right. Exercise this right and work towards getting rid of electoral corruption that we see in the country.