OPPOSITION Zapu and Mthwakazi Republic Party (MRP) have dismissed claims by South Africa’s African National Congress (ANC) secretary-general Fikile Mbalula that his party worked with Zimbabwe's ruling Zanu PF during the liberation struggle.
Mbalula also told South Africa media that ANC supports Zanu PF and President Emmerson Mnangagwa despite disputes surrounding the August 23 polls.
The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission declared Mnangagwa winner with 2 350 711 votes (52,6%), while Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) leader Nelson Chamisa received 44% of the total votes cast.
Chamisa has, however, rejected the results.
Zanu PF secured 136 parliamentary seats, while CCC got 73 seats.
In an interview yesterday, MRP president Mqondisi Moyo said it was disheartening that Mbalula was misleading the world through misinformation about his party’s relationship with Zanu PF.
“For starters, I want to lecture Mbalula that the ANC of the past, and not this current tainted one, never worked with Zanu PF during apartheid and the liberation struggle,” Moyo said. “They, instead, worked with PF Zapu together with its military wing Zipra. The ANC had its military wing UMkhonto WeSizwe.”
He said Zanu PF worked with the Pan-Africanist Congress, the minority government.
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“I put it to you Mbalula that you don't know your political party, ANC, and its allies yet you are the secretary-general. You make false claims that you worked with Zanu PF,” he said.
Moyo said Zimbabwe’s independence was derailed by South Africa, while Britain gave the country on a silver platter through the then Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in 1980.
He said Mbalula should explain why he is defending Zanu PF which has presided over the demise of the people.
Moyo said it was sad that of late ANC had turned out to be a dictator and was irresponsible towards its people.
Zapu spokesperson Mso Ndlovu said the party had made it clear that the current ANC was not recognisable.
“Mbalula is an epitome of the open mouth, shut mind syndrome. They are, however, free to associate with murderers and thieves all they want, but have no right to rewrite history.
“As Zapu, we remain grounded on the relationship with the ANC of Oliver Reginald Tambo whose relationship is signed by the blood of Zipra and UMkhonto WeSizwe alliance,” he said.
Mnangagwa is set to be inaugurated today despite his win being challenged following an election which has been described as flawed by local, regional and international observers.
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