THE long-awaited Zapu national congress, where interim chairman Dumiso Dabengwa is set to be confirmed as the substantive leader is now set for August, the party said last week.

Initially pencilled in for last December, the congress was shelved because of financial problems and later by the need to make way for the new constitution-making process.

But following a party meeting in Masvingo last week, a final decision was made that the congress would be held in August but the venue and date are yet to be finalised.

Insiders said the venue would be a toss between Bulawayo and Mashonaland West.

Zapu spokesman, Methuseli Moyo told The Standard that the two provinces had been given the task of arranging logistics for the congress and a decision would be based on which of the two would be better prepared.

“The meeting resolved that the two provinces should inform the party leadership of their preparations by next week,” he said. “It is only when these preparations have been unveiled that the national leadership of the party would be in a position to know which of the two provinces would host the congress.”

The two provinces are expected to provide details on accommodation, transport, food, and other provisions.

Moyo said the congress would elect a new leadership for the party.

On Dabengwa’s candidature, Moyo said it was up to party members to nominate the former Zanu PF politburo member.

“Zapu follows its constitution. In the case of Dabengwa, the constitution says those nominated by party members will contest in the election.

“The onus is on party members to choose whether they still want him or not.

“If they want to have him back, they will nominate him and he will contest with any other candidate if there are other nominations,” he said.

Zapu broke away from Zanu PF last year ending a 22-year-old marriage marked by mistrust and squabbles.

By The Standard