ZANU PF has apologised to Zambia’s United Party for National Development (UPND) for inflammatory remarks made against that country’s President Haikande Hichilema by some of its members.
A diplomatic tiff has been brewing between Hichilema and President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government, with the latter’s loyalists, including his spokesperson George Charamba, labelling Hichilema a “sellout”.
UPND envoys, led by secretary-general Batuke Imenda, met with Zanu PF secretary for administration Obert Mpofu on Monday before paying a courtesy call on Mnangagwa.
“We also distance ourselves from the negative remarks made by some of our members,” Mpofu said.
“And we wish to assure you that there will be no further negative publicity about Zambia as you are our brother and neighbour.”
He told the UPND delegation that Zanu PF was under attack from various quarters working with Zimbabwe’s opposition to strain relations between the two ruling parties.
“Here in Zimbabwe, we are under sustained attack from a variety of sources, including our own members being used by members of the opposition, as well as some Western governments which are actively funding foreign media to write inflammatory commentary coupled with insults and threats,” Mpofu said.
“And our policy as a Zanu PF government is that we work with the political parties that are in power. Anything outside that is not entertained.”
- Letters: Zanu PF to blame for anything wrong in Zim
- No State House for Chamisa, vows Mnangagwa
- We are unstoppable, says Chamisa
- No State House for Chamisa, vows Mnangagwa
Keep Reading
Mpofu claimed the Hichilema-led party supported the ruling party to thwart the March 31 demonstrations.
“The recent widely publicised March 31 demonstrations were unsuccessful partly because of the co-operation we received from yourselves,” Mpofu said.
“There was even an attempt earlier on, where we worked closely with the UPND, to thwart some intended demonstrations where opposition parties were going to ferry people from South Africa and some of our neighbouring countries to come and destabilise this country.”
Mpofu told NewsDay in an interview that the visit was reciprocal to Zanu PF’s similar visit to Zambia last year.
“It was a neighbourly friendly meeting,” he said.
Zanu PF is being accused of backing former President Edgar Lungu’s re-election bid in that country’s upcoming election.
