ZAPU has with immediate effect suspended all its party programmes that involve gathering of its members and the general public, as precautions against the fast spreading coronavirus (COVID-19).
The revolutionary party made this decision after its leader, Isaac Mabuka met with the national executive recently as preventative strategies against the virus.
“As we lead by example, all public meetings and rallies have been suspended indefinitely. Immediately affected is the Gwanda rally that was scheduled for March 28, a Nkayi public meeting that was slated for the monthend of March as well as the provincial meetings in Bulawayo and Harare in the same month. This further affects all monthly provincial and inter provincial gatherings.”
ZAPU National Spokersperson Iphithule Maphosa.
Maphosa told CITE, ZAPU would adopt other communication and interface means of conducting business that do not involve gatherings, in order to contribute to efforts to combat the spread of the disease among people and communities.
“This is obviously over and above the standard practices recommended by health experts,” Maphosa said, reiterating a call to the government to also suspend all gatherings immediately.
“We call upon the government to invest in information dissemination on ways our people can be safe from contracting and spreading the virus. We also call upon the government to ban all travel abroad, isolate all returning travellers and visitors.
“Monitor them for 14 to 21 days, over and above compulsory testing upon return. The government is also obliged to clearly spell out its preparedness plans to combat the spread of the virus to the citizens.”
The spokesperson urged citizens to continue observing and practicing personal hygiene to keep safe.
“Avoid gatherings and crowding. In the event one suspects infection, seek immediate medical attention and also self-isolate or quarantine if need be to protect our loved ones from contracting the virus.
“ZAPU is committed to a COVID-19 free Zimbabwe and indeed join the whole wide world in fighting the pandemic. With the right mind and attitude, this disease can be put under control and also eradicated” Maphosa said.
“The whole world is grappling with the effects of this pandemic and is seized with mitigation ways to contain and control it, with countries with solid health infrastructures struggling to bring the marauding virus under control.
“This is why the Zimbabwean government, whose health infrastructure is in comatose, must really take strong measures to take strong preventative measures because it will be naive thinking that our country will be spared by the pandemic. With our unfortunate situation as a country with no responsible leadership, it becomes the responsibility of citizens, at individual level, to safeguard health and lives.”
