ZAPU spokesperson Msongelwa Ndlovu has resigned from the position of party secretary for information, publicity and marketing and has been replaced by Richard Gandari.
The party’s secretary general Mthulisi Hanana confirmed the departure of Ndlovu and the deployment of Gandari.
In a communique to the party’s national executive council, national people’s council and party members, seen by the <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/zapu-party-spokesperson-mr-msongelwa-ndlovu-resigns/">Chronicle</a>, Hanana also announced the appointment of J J Dube to the position of what the party calls the head of a think tank. It says:
<blockquote>
President (Sibangilizwe Nkomo) has with immediate effect appointed Cde Richard Gandari as Secretary for Information Marketing and Publicity. Cde Gandari takes over from Cde Msongelwa Ndlovu.
The President has also appointed Cde JJ Dube to head the Think Tank. Following the elections, the Presidency suggested that the Think Tank be headed by someone who is based in Zimbabwe.
Cde Dube is a seasoned ZAPU cadre and his experience will come in handy. We wish both comrades well in their new roles.
</blockquote>
The publication cited a ZAPU insider as saying that Ndlovu’s departure is linked to deep divisions on operational matters in the party.
Nkomo, who is the son of the late former Zimbabwe Vice President, Joshua Nkomo, is accused of exhibiting dictatorial tendencies.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

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ZAPU Spokesperson Msongelwa Ndlovu Resigns

The opposition ZAPU has resolved to field candidates in the 09 December 2023 by-elections after CCC led by Nelson Chamisa said it will boycott the polls.
In a statement, ZAPU spokesperson Msongelwa Ndlovu they will not boycott the elections to avoid giving a “free lunch” to the ruling ZANU PF party. Reads the statement:
<blockquote>
After exhaustive internal consultations, ZAPU commissioned teams in Bulawayo to engage community leaders, residents, vendors and residents associations to seek their views regarding the impending by-elections.
We did this to ensure that our final decision would not be mistaken for an endorsement of the recalls and or sanitization of those who are actually behind these recalls.
After these successful consultations, the party has decided to heed the call of those who have told us never to give free lunch to the architects of these illegal recalls.
Pursuant to this, ZAPU will be fielding candidates in all affected constituencies subject to rigorous internal processes.
We are calling on all progressive forces to rally behind our candidates and defend the democratic space so molested by malevolent miscreants.
</blockquote>
By-elections will be held on 09 December 2023 after CCC’s self-styled interim secretary general Sengezo Tshabangu recalled 15 CCC members of the National Assembly, 09 senators and 17 Councillors.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

ZAPU Resolves To Field Candidates For 09 December By-elections

The opposition Zimbabwe African People’s Union (ZAPU) is yet to make a decision about contesting in by-elections slated for 09 December 2023 following the recall of Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) Members of Parliament and councillors.
Speaking on <a href="https://cite.org.zw/zapu-to-engage-supporters-over-by-elections/">This Morning on Asakhe hosted by CITE</a>, ZAPU spokesperson Msongelewa Ndlovu said that some party members are in favour of participating while others are pushing for a boycott of the polls. He said:
<blockquote>
One section of the membership is saying we should never allow ZANU PF a free lunch anywhere and anytime in the country.
This section of our membership is saying they will bring about contestation by hook or crook, they will find us ready to contest them underwater, on the hill mountains and in the air.
This is the section of the party that says we must defend the rights of the people at any cost.
But there is also a view that says if we allow ZANU PF to detect when and where to contest, we will possibly sanitize this madness.
This section of the membership says we should act in solidarity with the people whose leaders they elected have been denied that leadership.
</blockquote>
Ndlovu said his party has resolved to engage people in the affected constituencies.
He also said ZAPU has fielded candidates in constituencies left vacant after the 23 August 2023 general elections, excluding those resulting from recalls initiated by Sengezo Tshabangu. Said Ndlovu:
<blockquote>
There are two sets of by-elections. There are by-elections that came as a result of residual leftovers from the 23 August harmonized general election.
We have already fielded candidates and gone to the nomination courts for some of those by-elections, including one in Nkayi for council and the other one in Matabeleland North where we already have candidates.
What we are saying about the Sengezo Tshabangu by-election is that it is a matter that we need to deliberate on vigorously but make sure that whatever we do, we align our view with the views of the people.
Whether we should give ZANU-PF a free lunch in Matabeleland and other regions or ensure that we act in solidarity with the affected people and ensure that we render these so-called by-elections a sham that they are.
</blockquote>
Tshabangu is a CCC member who claimed to be the party’s interim Secretary General and used the “position” to write letters to Parliament and the Minister of Local Government recalling 14 MPs, nine senators and 17 councillors.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

ZAPU Members To Deliberate On Fielding Candidates In By-elections

The former ZAPU Secretary General, Strike Mkandla, is questioning his expulsion from the party, saying he was not given the specific reasons for the move.
He also argued that he was not among senior party members who took the party to court.
Mkandla, Matthew Sibanda, Ernest Ndlovu, Mildred Mkandla, and Akim Nkala were expelled from ZAPU on 12 November 2022 on the grounds that they had chosen a path that would harm the party.
But he maintains that he was fired because of allegations that he was planning to form and launch a new party, reports which he denied.
In a letter dated 17 November 2022, albeit not addressed to anyone, Mkandla said no charges were presented for the expelled to either “accept or challenge” in a disciplinary committee hearing of the Council of Elders.
He also argued that they were expelled from the party without a disciplinary hearing, as required by the party constitution.
However, speaking in an interview with <a href="https://cite.org.zw/former-zapu-sg-challenges-expulsion-from-the-party/">CITE</a>, ZAPU national spokesperson, Msongelwa Ndlovu, said Mkandla’s letter was not addressed to anyone in the party, and therefore does not merit a response. Said Ndlovu:
<blockquote>
I don’t know what Dr Mkandla meant when he said the SG must send it to relevant persons because the SG of ZAPU is not anyone’s postboy.
Dr Mkandla is a former SG, he knows what to do, and he knows how to address letters if he wants to send a letter to ZAPU.
As far as we are concerned there is no ZAPU letter that was written by the former SG. If he is to write a letter we will respond.
We will not use official communication from the party to respond.
</blockquote>
Ndlovu admitted there were no suspension letters because “they were expelled with dishonour.”

Former ZAPU Secretary-General Challenges Expulsion From The Party

The opposition ZAPU has expelled five senior members who took to court the party president, Sibangilizwe Nkomo, for allegedly failing to adhere to the party’s constitution and procedures.
The senior party members challenged Nkomo’s candidature at the Bulawayo High Court ahead of the party’s elective congress last year in October.
They later withdrew the court application after holding talks with Nkomo, but then decided to revive it two months ago.
The senior members were now seeking an order overturning the 2020 congress where Nkomo was elected.
ZAPU spokesperson Msongelwa Ndlovu identified the sacked members as Strike Mkandla , Matthew Sibanda, Ernest Ndlovu, Mildred Mkandla and Akim Nkala. Said Ndlovu:
<blockquote>
It is with regret to announce to ZAPU members, supporters and sympathisers that after 12 months of attempting to unite the party after our congress, the following individuals have expelled themselves from the union.
Messars Strike Mkandla, Matthew Sibanda , Ernest Ndlovu, Mildred Mkandla and Akim Nkala have individually and collectively chosen a path designed to harm ZAPU in collaboration with those invested in this objective for many years now.
ZAPU has noted and accepted their decision and wishes them well in their future endeavors.
We call on our members to treat them with the same treatment reserved for all our political opponents.
</blockquote>
Mkandla is the party’s former secretary -general while Sibanda is the party’s former Matebeleland South Province chairperson, while Mildred is the party‘s former chairperson for the women’s assembly.
Ndlovu pleaded with the general party membership to avoid cooperating with the expelled members for the unity of the party. He said:
<blockquote>
We implore our members to avoid cooperating with them as doing so only helps to advance their objective to divide and eventually destroy the party.
Let us remain vigilant and focused on the ultimate objective of delivering our people from the yokes of ZANU PF intolerance, corruption, and incompetence.
</blockquote>
ZAPU will do whatever it takes to work with like-minded people and organisations to put to an end the curse of ZANU PF on our people.
| <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/zapu-expels-five-senior-members/">NewZimbabwe.com</a>

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