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Prosper Ndlovu Senior Reporter
ABOUT 200 Zapu members in Bulawayo led by the party’s senior leaders Mr Effort Nkomo and Mrs Tryphine Nhliziyo yesterday rejoined Zanu-PF citing disgruntlement and lack of direction in the Dr Dumiso Dabengwa led party.Zanu-PF National Chairman Senator Simon Khaya Moyo, who was accompanied by the senior party leadership in the province, welcomed the defectors at Amakhosi Cultural Centre where they narrated their grievances.

In his address Senator Khaya Moyo said the return of the “prodigals” was a consolidation of the historic 1987 Unity Accord signed between PF-Zapu and Zanu.

“This is a great day for Bulawayo. We talked about this meeting in the Presidium and the party leadership is happy with what you have done. We do not want to talk about what happened in the past but celebrate that we are united,” he said.

“I am not blaming you because I am aware that you were misled. I am happy that you are back home. I am sure Umdala uNkomo in his grave is smiling because you are coming back to where he left you.

“What you did is also an honour to President Mugabe. I congratulate you. The doors are still open for you                                                                         to come back home. Asibuyeleni Ekhaya.”

Senator Khaya Moyo reminded the gathering about how Zimbabwe fought a protracted liberation struggle under the leadership of President Mugabe and the late Vice-President Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo and other nationalists.

He urged the returning members to remain loyal to the party and work with the provincial leadership to mobilise support in Bulawayo.
Senator Khaya Moyo assured the nation that Zanu-PF will live up to its promises as explained in its election manifesto and urged all party members to pull in the same direction.

He said the new Zanu-PF Government would not deter from its indigenisation and empowerment thrust in its quest to transform the lives of ordinary Zimbabweans to ensure that they own the economy.

Senator Khaya Moyo challenged the party leadership in Bulawayo to work hard so that they win resoundingly in the 2018 elections.
“We want to see things changing here in Bulawayo. Factories must be revived and I am happy President Mugabe has talked about that. You should not lose heart that you lost.

“In fact you did well because the performance of the party improved this year compared to 2008. You are almost there and come the next election Bulawayo should never lose again.”

Earlier on while presenting the returning members to Zanu-PF, Mr Nkomo, who took to the stage with a Zanu-PF slogan and a revolutionary song, said hundreds of people who left Zanu-PF, were willing to come back.

“Cde chairman, we are here as a drop in the ocean. This is just a sample of scores of people who want to return home. Ungaba lesidzimira (if you get confused) the best thing is to sit down and reason afresh,” said Mr Nkomo who was the chairman of the Zapu National People’s Council in Bulawayo.

Like the prodigal son we have come back home and we want to see the party growing. We attended President Mugabe’s rally at White City and we have started seeing his promises being fulfilled. We applaud the Zanu-PF manifesto.”

Mrs Nhliziyo said things have not been rosy in Zapu since 2010 and complained of poor leadership and failure to respond to people’s concerns.
“National chairman there are many people out there who want to come home. The people have grievances. We did a lot for the party (Zapu) but in the end we got nothing. We were despised,” said Mrs Nhliziyo.

“We decided to come back ngoba asifuni kuhlukuluzwa yileadership. We then approached Retired Colonel Tshinga Dube to connect us to the province and the national leadership.

“We want to benefit from the land and we want projects. We are not digging graves but we want to be recognised and be given assistance from the Government. Bulawayo must be revived.”

Speaking at the same occasion Zanu-PF Bulawayo provincial chairman Professor Callistus Ndlovu welcomed the new members saying their return would add value to the party and increase its mobilisation capacity. He said the provincial leadership would ensure that the new members were smoothly integrated into the party structures and be allowed to work with others.

Rtd Col Dube confirmed that Zapu members approached him about their intention to rejoin Zanu-PF. He commended their boldness and encouraged them to remain loyal to the party and be disciplined.

“You are not strangers here because this is your party. We do not even need to teach you slogans. No one has a grievance against you. This is a party for all people and no one should point fingers at you. Ignore those who will despise you,” said Rtd Col Dube, who is also a Politburo member.
Politburo member Dr Sikhanyiso Ndlovu, several Central Committee members and the Youth League leadership attended the meeting.

Contacted for comment Zapu alternate secretary general Dr Strike Mnkandla professed ignorance over the issue and demanded to know the names of the defectors.

“That is news to me. I will have to hear what those people have to say first. What direction have they seen in Zanu-PF? I want to be sure of who they are first. Where is the list of their names? I do not want to generalise. If I know who they are I can then give you feedback.”