ZAPU in turmoil - setting the record

I have noted with concern recent press reports aligning me to some bogus and nameless political organizations. While the media has a duty and responsibility to inform the public on all relevant issues affecting society, I find it unfortunate when the same media fail to balance their reportage by seeking both sides of the story.

To begin with, the nameless organisation purporting to have passed a vote of no confidence on President Dumiso Dabengwa and the NEC, fronted by Canciwell Nziramasanga is nothing but a congregation of frustrated, angry and clueless renegades with nothing to do with their idle time except sow seeds of division and confusion in ZAPU.

For the record, and for avoidance of doubt, I was never approached, nor taken part in, or participated in any of the so-called decision or resolution to pass the so-called vote of no confidence on President Dabengwa and the NEC. The purpoted Gweru kangaroo gathering reportedly attended by less that ten angry madmen was an illegal meeting which I was not invited to, nor attend and as such I wonder just how I became an official in that dubious outfit. Mr Nziramasanga and his hangers on need help and fast.

However an equally nauseating statement attributed and signed by Mjobisa Noko the ZAPU Spokesman and responding to the above allegations against me is mischievous and shockingly so. After reading such grave allegations against me in the papers, I expected Cde Mjobisa Noko to seek clarification from me first before exacerbating and giving currency to malicious lies by lampooning my person and political image. Cde Noko went to town about my alleged suspension from NEC meetings, itself an occurrence authored by him through lies at NEC, when that issue is supposed to be an internal issue being handled within party processes. If Cde Noko had done the right thing by asking me about the Nzira group he would have avoided making himself and the party a public spectacle.

Nonetheless, Cde Noko made some very incisive observations. He noted that President Dabengwa and the NEC are a product of Congress and as such can only be removed by Congress. I know that very well because I was there at congress and my position too is a result of the same Congress which took place when Cde Noko was not even a member of ZAPU. As such, I find it preposterous for a Mafikizolo to lecture me about a congress he did not even attend. Cde Noko's excitement about this Nzira debacle is understandable, for he has been plotting my ouster from ZAPU with numerous allegations against me for months now. But his handling of this issue, reminiscent of a man running after a madman who grabs your clothes while bathing, has left onlookers mistaking the chasing naked man for the nut head.

For the avoidance of any doubt, I am a Parliamentary candidate of ZAPU for Chimanimani West constituency and I am winning that seat for ZAPU and in honour of my hero and mentor, President Dabengwa. And to further illustrate my commitment and loyalty to ZAPU and President Dabengwa, I personally coordinated and put together a list of ZAPU members from Manicaland that made Dr. Dabengwa's Presidential nomination possible. Cde Noko was so excited with this scoop that he failed to even notice that the rebellious faction stated that they had not fielded any candidates in this year's elections. If they haven't done so, how do I become a part of their group when I am a candidate? This cannot be said of Cde Mjobisa Noko who not only failed to represent the party in Parliamentary elections or even VIDCO ward elections. My question is simple under the circumstances, why would a genuine senior ZAPU 'member' publicly raise issues of suspensions against a ZAPU candidate a few days before elections when he himself is not contesting those elections? In whose interests is he making those allegations and for what purpose? I dare say this, I will not be distracted from winning the Chimanimani West seat for ZAPU by fly by night opportunists whose political craft is eliminating and maligning fellow members while doing nothing against real ZAPU opponents.

Thank you

Solomon Nhamo
ZAPU National Organising Secretary and ZAPU Parliamentary Candidate