WASHINGTON —
Two senior ZAPU members confirmed Monday they have resigned from the opposition party and re-joined Zanu-PF, bringing with them more than 200 other disgruntled party members to the ruling party.
The two are Effort Nkomo, former chairman of the ZAPU National People’s Council and Tryphine Nhliziyo, who left Zanu-PF in 2008 to form ZAPU, accusing the ruling party of failing to address pertinent issues, especially in Matabeleland despite the 1986 Unity Accord.
The unity accord was signed by the late Patriotic Front-Zimbabwe African People’s Union (PF ZAPU) leader Joshua Nkomo and President Robert Mugabe and ended the Gukurahundi massacres that claimed the lives of 20,000 people in Matabeleland.
The state-media reports that Zanu-PF national chairman Simon Khaya Moyo paraded the defectors Sunday at a meeting at Amakhosi Cultural Center in Bulawayo, and said the party welcomes the “prodigal sons” with open arms.
Nkomo confirmed he has crossed the floor, citing lack of serious leadership and implementation of meaningful projects in the Dumiso Dabengwa led party.
Mr. Nkomo tells reporter Sithandekile Mhlanga Zanu-PF has started to address completion of meaningful projects in Matabeleland.
However, ZAPU spokesman Mjobisa Noko says his party has no record of members who have deserted the opposition party.
Mr. Noko said his party is only aware of the resignation of Mr. Nkomo and Mrs. Nhliziyo in 2010 after failing to secure more prestigious positions within the party.
The two are Effort Nkomo, former chairman of the ZAPU National People’s Council and Tryphine Nhliziyo, who left Zanu-PF in 2008 to form ZAPU, accusing the ruling party of failing to address pertinent issues, especially in Matabeleland despite the 1986 Unity Accord.
The unity accord was signed by the late Patriotic Front-Zimbabwe African People’s Union (PF ZAPU) leader Joshua Nkomo and President Robert Mugabe and ended the Gukurahundi massacres that claimed the lives of 20,000 people in Matabeleland.
The state-media reports that Zanu-PF national chairman Simon Khaya Moyo paraded the defectors Sunday at a meeting at Amakhosi Cultural Center in Bulawayo, and said the party welcomes the “prodigal sons” with open arms.
Nkomo confirmed he has crossed the floor, citing lack of serious leadership and implementation of meaningful projects in the Dumiso Dabengwa led party.
Mr. Nkomo tells reporter Sithandekile Mhlanga Zanu-PF has started to address completion of meaningful projects in Matabeleland.
However, ZAPU spokesman Mjobisa Noko says his party has no record of members who have deserted the opposition party.
Mr. Noko said his party is only aware of the resignation of Mr. Nkomo and Mrs. Nhliziyo in 2010 after failing to secure more prestigious positions within the party.