By Paul Nyathi | Dumiso Dabengwa led ZAPU has put the final nail on the Elton Mangoma led Coalition Of Democrats (CODE) after pulling out of the election set up last week.
The revived revolutionary party once led by the late great Joshua Nkomo, was quick to court former ally in the CODE Barbara Nyagomo’s Progressive Democrats of Zimbabwe into an agreement that will see the two opposition parties come together to form one political party under ZAPU’s name.
Speaking to ZimEye.com in an interview on Monday, Nyagomo confirmed the development without giving much details indicating that the two parties are finalising the unity agreement.
“We will sign Agreement this week and all details will be availed to the media,” said Nyagomo.
Nyagomo scoffed at earlier speculations making rounds that she was set to join the Joice Mujuru led People’s Rainbow Coalition however indicating that opposition parties are still involved in formulating a grand coalition.
“Talks with PRC and MDC Alliance on-going,” said Nyagomo who is not new in the ZAPU set up having been the party’s European Province chairperson in 2010 before establishing her own party.
“The people of Zimbabwe have given the politicians the mandate to form a Grand Coalition,” she said indicating a possibility that their newly established party might find itself in a possible alliance with other opposition parties.
ZAPU Secretary General Strike Mkandla confirmed the merging of the two parties indicating that Nyagomo will be made the Vice President of the party which Dabengwa will lead while all PDZ structures will now be incorporated into ZAPU structures.
Lora Makuzva was Zapu vice-president before the merger.
“PDZ president, Barbara Nyagomo will be the vice-president of the unified Zapu. The most fortunate thing is that our incumbent president, Madam Lora Makuzva had ceased to actively participate in party affairs because of other personal commitments. As a party, we are always ready to welcome her whenever she has sorted out her issues. We will work out a plan for the two to co-exist,” he said.
PDZ national organising secretary, Brighton Makocho said his party decided to merge with Zapu because of the two parties’ shared liberation war backgrounds.
“Zapu provides a brand that has continuity with the nationalist movement and the liberation struggle it waged. These credentials have enabled us to join hands with Zapu and work together,” Makocho said.
Makocho said the pact with Zapu is also expected to boost the two parties, bargaining powers in talks with the MDC Alliance and PRC to form the envisaged grand opposition coalition against the ruling Zanu PF.
“There is strength in numbers. As we continue to negotiate for a grand coalition with other political parties, we believe that the merger will strengthen our position at the negotiating table
He added.