Zapu plans demo against govt over property seizure
ZAPU has threatened to stage demonstrations to force President Robert Mugabe’s government to return the party’s properties, which were seized in the early 1980s.
BY SILAS NKALA
The opposition party’s deputy spokesperson, Iphithule Maphosa yesterday said Zapu will not continue being humiliated by being evicted from rented properties, when it has its own premises that were seized by the State.
“Demonstrations will be carried out to recover the party’s properties countrywide with the first ones being Magnet House in Bulawayo and Snake Park in Harare,” he said.
“Zapu has properties in the whole country and all have been successfully identified and listed for repossession.
The majority are buildings in Harare, Gweru and Bulawayo and a number of farms around the country.”
Maphosa said Zapu members have of late been putting pressure on the party leadership to repossess the seized properties in the wake of reports of the impending eviction.
“As a result of the pressure, demonstrations have been lined up in the near future to press the government to return the properties,” he said.
“The members, ex-Zipra cadres and their children, have vowed to remain on the streets until Mugabe and his government returns what belongs to them.”
Zapu has blamed its current financial woes on Mugabe and his government, which seized properties belonging to the then Joshua Nkomo-led opposition party in the 1980s.
The now-revived Zapu, led by Dumiso Dabengwa, is facing eviction from its Bulawayo offices after failing to settle rent arrears of more than $10 000 to Main Investment and Construction (Pvt) Limited, which owns number 15 JM Nkomo Street and Connaught Avenue.
The original Zapu lost properties such as Nest Egg poultry farm in Hope Fountain, Woodglen Farm along Victoria Falls Road and Snake Park in Harare.
The government also grabbed a removals company, Black Cat, Kudu Motors and Castle Arms Motel in Richmond, among many others.
Maphosa said dates of the demonstrations will be announced soon.