HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

The Zimbabwe African People’s union (ZAPU) was formed in 1961 after the banning of its predecessor, the National Democratic Party (NDP). According to its constitution of 1961, ZAPU was formed to fight against the British colonial system for Zimbabwean people’s right of political, social, economic and cultural self-determination and national independence. Furthermore, ZAPU’s constitution states that “ZAPU shall observe, respect and promote human rights contained in the Declaration of Human Rights of the United National Charter.”

In other words, ZAPU was formed to fight against the British colonial system for human rights and national independence, and to create after gaining political independence, a democratic state, a state that respects, promotes and protects human rights, which are contained in the U.N Declaration of Human Rights.

ZAPU spearheaded the armed struggle for 18 years and remained the leading political force in advancing the Zimbabwean struggle for the right of self determination and national independence. ZAPU was instrumental in creating the Zimbabwe Patriotic Front under which all genuine anti-colonial and democratic forces of Zimbabwe rallied in the struggle for human rights and national independence.

In 1979, the British government called for a constitutional conference which took place in London. ZAPU and ZANU (PF) as Patriotic Front participated in this constitutional conference. The conference resulted in the Lancaster House Constitution and cease fire. The Lancaster House Constitution granted Zimbabwe political independence.

The political independence elections, which were supervised by the British government, took place in 1980. ZAPU emerged as a majority opposition party and ZANU with majority seats to form the government. The ZANU (PF) government in the early 1980’s carried out a genocidal crusade carried against ZAPU members in the Midlands and Matabeleland. The British government together with its allies did not raise any voice yet they paraded as the champions of human rights, The genocidal crusade carried out against ZAPU members forced it to sign the Unity Accord of 1987, so as to stop the massacre of its members. ZANU (PF) government did not stop with these massacres, but continued to violate human rights, for example, the rights to work and to an adequate standard o living, and the right to freedom of speech.

In2009, ZAPU withdrew from the 1987 Unity accord, Because ZANU (PF) government continuously violated human rights of Zimbabwean people, which they fought for. Violation of human rights is a negation of democracy.