Misconceptions on ZAPU, ZAPU leadership and tribal politics

This article is in response to a piece penned by Mqondisi Moyo President of Matebeleland Republic Party titled ' not too late Dumiso Dabengwa'. We do not aim to provoke a war of words with our erstwhile comrade but instead we seek to clarify issues on some points where he, like many others before him, has misconceptions on ZAPU ideology, leadership in the context of tribal politics.

ZAPU is a national party, from its inception throughout its turbulent history and up to now. ZAPU executives from its very founding have reflected this National outlook, not as cosmetic measures to appease restive members or sponsors but because the party subscribes to Nationalist politics. ZAPU believes in the nation state of Zimbabwe and this is reflected in its policies which recognise the ethnic diversity of the country. The party is very much aware of the marginalisation of certain regions of the country in particular those of Matebeleland. The historical causes of this marginalisation are well documented and even more lucidly put across by Mr Moyo in his piece. However where ZAPU and MRP differ is on the approach to solving this marginalisation. MRP believes, as is their democratic right which ZAPU does not agree with but will defend most dilligently, that the solution is the secession of Matabeleland from the nation state of Zimbabwe. ZAPU subscribes to the governance policy of Devolution of Power to the provinces as the panacea to the marginalisation of the affected provinces. ZAPU also believes that the deliberately corrupt deployment policy of the regime misruling this country has perpetuated this lopsided development of the country. This policy contrary to popular belief affects not only Matabeleland but the country as a whole, for we believe that you do not cut off your nose to spite your face as the regime has done and continues to do.

The fact that Dr. Dumiso Dabengwa, as President of ZAPU happens to be a Ndebele speaking citizen of Zimbabwe does not in any way suggest that he should advocate for the secession of the regions of Zimbabwe. The fact that since 1963 when certain revolutionaries split from ZAPU to form ZANU based on tribal politics and have since then, as chronicled by Moyo, abused every opportunity to work as a united front does not mean that the leadership of ZAPU should abandon its pursuit of non-tribal national politics and its nationalist ideology. The stereotype casting of ZAPU as a party of Ndebele speakers was conceived by ZANU during its campaign in the first elections of the country as a tool to disillusion the people of Zimbabwe, as such it is disappointing when it continues to be used by the very people it was conceived to suppress.

As shown from the narration of ZAPU history by Moyo, the party has always been accommodating to other political parties willing to form coalitions or come to a working agreement. The party is always open and willing to lend an ear to any party who come up with a proposal to work together. But contrary to Moyo's assertion the party has learnt its lesson very well and insists on certain fundamentals to be met before any agreement is signed. Also contrary to popular belief no agreement was signed by MDC (Ncube) and ZAPU prior to last year's elections. The reason was because the fundamentals insisted upon by ZAPU were not met. Negotiations and talks took place but no agreement was signed hence the two parties went into the elections individually.

ZAPU as stated above is a nationalist party and as such believes that it cannot debate on the same platform with a regional group whose ideology is completely at odds with that of ZAPU. However as stated above we are a democratic party which believes in the freedom of expression and diversity of opinion. ZAPU also recognises that the emergence of groupings such as MRP is because of the failed system of governance employed by the current regime. Their concerns are genuine but their solutions are not on the party's ideological programme.

In conclusion we would like to state that ZAPU is not a party representing only a certain ethnic group in Zimbabwe, that is only a propaganda agenda of the divide and rule school of thought.