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Nduduzo Tshuma Political Editor
VICE President Phelekezela Mphoko yesterday shared his disappointment at the departure of Zapu President Dumiso Dabengwa from Zanu-PF saying the former Zipra intelligence supremo had soiled his otherwise illustrious liberation history. VP Mphoko addressed Zanu PF supporters in Pumula and Mpopoma constituencies yesterday as part of the party’s campaign launch for the June 10 by- elections in the five vacant seats in Bulawayo.

He addressed three other rallies on Saturday in Makokoba, Luveve and Lobengula constituencies.

Zanu-PF will be represented by Cdes Godfrey Malaba in Pumula, Joseph Tshuma in Mpopoma, Tshinga Dube in Makokoba, Ntandoyenkosi Mlilo in Luveve and Maidei Mpala in Lobengula.

VP Mphoko said he and Dabengwa among other veterans of the struggle, had gone through difficult times during the war and it was sad that Dabengwa decided to leave Zanu-PF.

He revealed that during the Sipolilo operation at the height of the liberation struggle he, Dabengwa, Joe Modise of the ANC and other fighters had to drink their own urine as they had run out of water.

“Dumiso didn’t join Zipra, we formed it. I operated with him in Sipolilo. We drank our own urine in one of the operations when we had travelled for more than 60 kilometres to a place where there was no water. We opened our water bottles, shot into them and waited for the acids to evaporate. We then ate Russian chocolate and drank our own urine,” said VP Mphoko.

“We went through many things together. This is part of our history that we’re proud of but Dabengwa has messed his record. You can’t go all the way to the top and then reduce yourself like that.”

VP Mphoko said the late founding nationalist Joshua Nkomo had signed the unity Accord with President Robert Mugabe bringing together PF-Zapu and Zanu to make Zanu PF, the only genuine revolutionary party in the country.

Before VP Mphoko, Zanu-PF Politburo member Cde Absolom Sikhosana said Dabengwa used to command a lot or respect before forming Zapu.

“Of all the people, it’s so painful but we’re forced to say down with Dabengwa. We had so much respect for him but we say down with Dabengwa,” he said.

Cde Sikhosana said all parties that have opposed Zanu-PF since Independence have all crumbled with time including the MDCs that failed to field candidates for the by-elections in fear of humiliating defeat.

VP Mphoko urged Pumula residents to vote for Cde Malaba, saying opposition parties and independent candidates will not bring development to their area.

He called on the MDCs to stop misleading the people of Bulawayo by making false promises that they would bring about development yet they were outside the government.

“There’s no MDC or Zapu minister in Cabinet. All ministers are Zanu-PF and the government is Zanu-PF. You get better representation with legislators from the ruling party who’ve the capacity to attend to your problems,” said VP Mphoko.

He said Bulawayo had suffered massive de-industrialisation leading to job losses and the situation could only be turned around by Zanu-PF MPs.

VP Mphoko called on party supporters to register as voters to ensure the party wins.

He castigated factionalism and urged the youths to desist from being proxies of other politicians.

“Youths should be Zanu-PF and not belong to individuals. If you belong to a certain person, when they fall, you fall too. If you’re a Zanu-PF youth on the other hand, you’ve a longer life in the party,” he said.

VP Mphoko urged the youths to emulate the party’s leadership so that they become good leaders tomorrow.

Meanwhile, VP Mphoko announced that he had assigned National Consultative Assembly member Cde Angeline Masuku to coordinate projects especially for women in all the constituencies starting with the five vacant ones.