Posted By Own Staff Wednesday, 03 March 2010 07:43

ZAPU members will have to wait a little longer for the much awaited congress as it has again been moved to August.

Initially the congress that is expected to usher in a substantive leadership was set for May at an undisclosed venue.However,  Zapu spokesperson Methuseli Moyo says the postponement was done in order not to affect the constitution-making process.

“The Zapu NEC unanimously resolved at a meeting held in Gweru on Saturday 27 February 2010, to shift the congress from May to August to avoid holding the congress during the national constitution making process outreach programme,” Moyo said.

Moyo said four provinces were campaigning to host the congress.

“The specific date and venue of the congress will be decided in due course. Provinces, notably Bulawayo, Mashonaland West, Mashonaland Central and Masvingo are canvassing to host the congress,” he said.

At the congress, party members will debate and endorse the amended Zapu constitution, party policy and manifesto.

“Also, the congress will elect a substantive National Executive Committee and Council of Elders Committee. The party will emerge from congress with substantive leadership and commonly adopted policies and manifesto to lead Zapu to victory in the forthcoming national elections,” said Moyo.

However, disgruntled Zapu members claim that the postponement was a ploy to buy time for the interim leadership to “deal with suspended members".

Last December, Zapu suspended Evans Ndebele, Retired Colonel Ray Ncube, Smile Dube, former Bulawayo councillor Alderman Charles Mpofu, Nhlanhla Ncube and Charles Makhuya after they were accused of deliberately flouting the party’s rules and regulations. Among other allegations, the six are accused of holding unauthorised meetings which Zapu says were acts of insubordination.

They are also accused of making statements to the press viewed to be in contempt of the party’s leadership. But they are accusing interim chairperson, Dumiso Dabengwa of working against the interests of the revived party.They are still to be called for a hearing.