NEWLY formed opposition political party, Ideas Party of Democracy (IPD), which is led by South Africa-based businessman Herbert Chamuka, is preparing for its inaugural elective congress tentatively scheduled for December.
By Staff Reporter
The exact date of the congress is however yet to be agreed as the party’s leadership is still consulting with its support base and putting in place logistical arrangements for delegates from abroad.
The congress was initially scheduled for Gweru in August but it could not proceed because of government’s coronavirus restrictions.
“Preparations for our congress are not at an advanced stage and we are expecting delegates from all over the world,” Chamuka said in a telephonic interview from his South Africa base.
“Our party has a lot of support across the country and our teams are moving around drumming up support and rallying the membership for the congress. We are going to invite all progressive parties in the country,” he said.
“We want to assure everyone that this party is going to be a trend setter in terms of promoting democracy in our country. We are a democratic party. We want our leadership to be elected by the people. I will only be in power for two five year terms and after that I will step down,” Chamuka said.
“Everyone who wants to contest for any position in the party is free to do so. So far we have an interim executive but all positions will be up for grabs, even the presidential position,” he said.
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Asked about whether or not he will be allowed to contest given government’s reluctance to open up gatherings because of Covid-19, Chamuka said: “We have heard that other parties, like Khupe’s MDC-T would be holding their own congress soon and if they do so, there is no reason why we should also be stopped.”
Chamuka also said his party will be launching a broad-based manifesto targeting the socio-political and ecnomic transformation of the country.
