Seven bags of ZAPU regalia were confiscated at the Beitbridge border by the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) on Friday enroute from South Africa, party officials have said.
Party officials said the regalia, which consisted of seven bags weighing 134 kg, was brought by cross border transporters and was a donation from its members based in South Africa.
“ZAPU’s South African provincial members brought the party regalia to beef up the party’s campaign in Zimbabwe. The regalia was made up of a thousand t-shirts to distribute to our supporters so that our party is visible as it carries out its campaign,” said ZAPU secretary General, Mthulisi Hanana in an interview with CITE.
The SG described the seizure of their regalia as victimisation by state authorities intended to impede their campaign exercise.
“We are being victimised! Does Zanu pay duty for its regalia that comes from China? Zanu has been dishing out regalia to people in every rally it holds because it shows the importance of being visible especially in a campaign period. Does Zanu want to be the only visible party with regalia? Unfortunately it does not work that way and for authorities to seize our regalia clearly shows we are being victimised as the mother and opposition party in ZImbabwe,” Hanana said.
Hanana stated the party will not be forced to pay for a donation aimed at assisting Zimbabweans.
“In essence these t-shirts were donated by our members in South Africa. These are Zimbabweans in South Africa who are buying t-shirts for fellow Zimbabweans in Zimbabwe for the purpose of campaigning. We don’t know what ZIMRA wants,” said the SG, who added ZAPU would engage ZIMRA officials for a way forward.
“I don’t think we must pay duty for donations from our members.”
