By Paul Nyathi
Stunning Progressive Democrats of Zimbabwe leader Barbara Nyagomo has confirmed information previously highlighted by ZimEye.com that her party was being merged into the Dumiso Dabengwa led ZAPU.
Nyagomo confirmed the developments in a memorandum circulated to members of her party on Thursday.
The memo to the PDZ members reads in full as follows;
TO: All PDZ structures, members, supporters and affiliates.
FROM: PDZ Presidium.
22 March 2018
REF: PDZ-ZAPU MERGER.
The above caption refers.
This memo serves to confirm that the talks and negotiations that have been going on between PDZ and ZAPU have come to fruition.
The two parties have agreed to merge thus forming one strong party to operate as ZAPU. This decision has been reached after extensive consultations with all relevant stakeholders.
Dr Dumiso Dabengwa will lead the outfit deputized by none other than our own Ironlady Hon. Barbara Nyagomo. All other positions (from National down to ward) shall be incorporated into the ZAPU hierarchy at the same level. PDZ and ZAPU share the same ideologies and policies that can usher us into a new democratic Zimbabwe. The combination of the progressive part of PDZ and the revolutionary part of ZAPU begets a powerful democratic movement. Members and supporters are therefore kindly requested to support this strategic move.
This move will see us bargaining powers as we continue to advocate for grand coalition of opposition parties. With 107 registered parties in Zimbabwe, it was deemed that vote splitting will be at rife and will not earn us a victory as opposition.
PDZ and ZAPU will bring value to each other and it will be powerful to go to the negotiating table under the ZAPU banner as compared to go alone as PDZ. The unified ZAPU will also engage and advise other opposition parties to set aside their pride and egos and unite for a common purpose. The 2018 plebiscite can’t be won when we are not united.
UBUKHOKHELI EBANTWINI.
HUTUNGAMIRI KUVANHU.
LEADERSHIP TO THE PEOPLE.
DEVOLUTION IS THE SOLUTION.
PDZ Presidium:
Ms. Barbara N. Nyagomo (President)
Adv. Norris J. Matarirano-Moyo (VP & National Chairperson)