BULAWAYO – Opposition ZAPU has announced plans to field candidates in December by-elections set to replace 14 Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) MPs recalled from parliament recently at the behest of self-imposed CCC secretary general Sengezo Tshabangu.
CCC, which disputes the controversial recall order, has threatened to boycott the by-elections citing relentless attempts to destroy the main opposition by the Zanu PF led authority.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has proclaimed December 9 as the date by-elections shall be held in constituencies which were rendered vacant by the expulsion of the opposition lawmakers.
In a statement Saturday, ZAPU said it was taking part in the poll to try and deny those behind the “illegal” recalls the pleasure of benefiting from the injustice.
“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,” said the party.
“We did this to ensure that our final decision would not be mistaken for endorsement of the recalls and or sanitisation of those who are actually behind the recalls.
“After these successful consultations, the party has decided to heed the call of those who have told us never give free lunch to the architects of these illegal recalls.”
Pursuant to this, said the party, “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.”
ZAPU contested some of the seats in Bulawayo but failed to win any.
The splinter group from the original PF ZAPU once headed by late iconic liberation war hero Joshua Nkomo is keen on winning its first seat since breaking from Zanu PF in recent years citing unequal treatment from its unity partner.
