All provinces endorse People’s Unity Party leader as 2028 party candidate

PEOPLE’S Unity Party (PUP) leader Hebert Chamuka has all but retained the party’s presidency after he got a unanimous endorsement from all the party’s 10 provinces during the ongoing consultation process on the party’s leadership after the expiry of his term in February this year.

The consultations which are being held a few days before the party’s congress at the weekend are part of efforts to look for office bearers for the relatively new party.

PUP is a pro-democratic party that was formed in the year 2021 and seeks to contest in the country’s 2028 harmonised elections, a clear sign that the second republic has opened up democratic space in the country.

Chamuka was elected at virtual congress in 2019 thumping a contestant for the hot seat Reginald Madinga.

Various party leaders who spoke to the Financial Gazette revealed that Chamuka had been elected without any contestations and that all the provinces had thrown their weight behind him for the next 5 years.

Chairperson for the party in Manicaland Caroline Mudhara revealed that her province had seen the ground that Chamuka had put as the leader of the party and was therefore behind him.

‘’ As a province, we are very clear that Manicaland is behind president Chamuka given his mature and able leadership. We want him to take over and there is no question about his successes for the last five years. We give him another term’’

These sentiments were also echoed by another party Joshua Zimbeva who is responsible for the party activities in Matebaland.

‘’ We want him to continue and create a solid foundation for the party ahead of the 2028 plebiscite where PUP will contest and get all the seats in our province. We have no doubt,’’ he said.

Chipo Kamutanga Mashonaland Central Chairperson affirmed the same.

Speaking to this reporter, Chamuka revealed that he would respect the will of the people and continue with his lawful mandate.

‘’ I accept what the masses have said. I am a leader who believes in human rights. As PUP, we want to respect rights. People must be celebrating the assumption of the SADC Chairmanship not what we are seeing with the current violations. I want to assure my supporters that I will lead by example and take them to the promised land come 2028’’

While there was no verbatim confirmation from other provinces, documents seen by this reporter reveal that all is set for the party’s congress this weekend to endorse Chamuka.