Political Reporter
….as Nkomo is barred from contesting the presidency
Tempers are boiling in ZAPU after Sibangilizwe Nkomo, the son of the late ZAPU leader Joshua Nkomo, was barred from contesting for the presidency at next month’s Congress as he does not fit the criteria prescribed by that party for one to contest.
The barring of Nkomo from contesting the ZAPU’s presidency has triggered massive uproar with that party with some members now plotting to form a splinter party that will be headed by Nkomo.
A source who spoke to this publication said candidates who felt threatened by Nkomo has devised a cunning strategy to disqualify him from contesting for ZAPU’ presidency at an elective congress to be held end of next month.
“The party’s resolution that one cannot contest for the leadership when he has not served in any party organ for a period of five years is evil and is targeted at Nkomo. People know that Nkomo is the people’s favorite and they are now lying that Nkomo only joined the party less than five years ago. How can Nkomo join ZAPU when he was born and bred in ZAPU?” said the source.
The source added that ZAPU will split if the resolution to bar Nkomo from contesting is not reversed.
“If they bar Nkomo from contesting, then that will be the end of the united ZAPU. We will rally behind Nkomo and we will see which side will have many people. We will not hesitate to follow Nkomo as he is the only one who can revive the party and instill the undying and patriotic spirit of our father, Joshua Nkomo, in our supporters,” added the source.
The same source blamed ZAPU members such as spokesperson Iphithule Maphosa, Bernard Magugu, Mqondobanzi Magonya and Matthew Sibanda of plotting to destabilize ZAPU because of their appetite for power.
Nkomo, who in March this year, resigned as chairperson of the Joshua Nkomo Cultural Movement and the Joshua Nkomo Legacy Restoration Project Trust, has been vigorously campaigning to take over the ZAPU’s presidency that was left vacant by the death of Dumiso Dabengwa in May 2019.
