ZAPU has resolved to postpone its elective congress that was set for August due to the Covid-19 outbreak.
The country has exceeded the 1 000 mark, as confirmed positive cases reached 1 034 on Monday and fatalies rose to 19.
ZAPU had set August 26 to 28 as the dates for its elective congress meant to elect a new leader to take over the reins following the death of national hero, Dr Dumiso Dabengwa, who was the party leader.
Dr Dabengwa died in Nairobi, Kenya on May 23 last year enroute to Zimbabwe after undergoing treatment in India.
According to ZAPU’s National Spokesperson, Iphithule Maphosa, the decision to postpone the elective congress was made by the National People’s Council (NPC) taking into cognisance the increasing coronavirus infections in the country.
“The NPC is the party‘s highest decision making body, who between congress held a zoom meeting in July 11 to postpone the congress. The ZOOM conference was made up of clusters of NPC members in Bulawayo, Harare, South Africa and the United Kingdom,” said the party’s spokesperson.
Maphosa added that the situation would be reviewed in October 2020.
“Pre- congress conferences for the women, youth wings as well as provincial structures which produce delegates and nomination of leaders could also not take place because of the Covid-19 pandemic Meanwhile, planning and preparations continue,” he said.
Several party members including the party’s incumbent Secretary General Dr Strike Mkandla, Treasurer-General Mark Mubaiwa and Maphosa were reportedly eyeing the presidency.
Also interested in throwing his name into the hat is prominent Bulawayo transport mogul, Mathew Sibanda while incumbent party president Isaac Mabuka would not contest.
The party’s congress was expected to be a showdown between the party young members versus the old guard, as the youth felt the revolutionary party needed to rebrand with vibrant leadership.
However, the postponement of ZAPU’S congress comes at a time when the Thokozani Khupe led MDC –T announced its plans to hold its elective congress on July 31, 2020 despite the soaring cases of Covid-19 in the country.
