New Political Party In Rhodesia

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31773, 2 September 1968, Page 13

New Political Party In Rhodesia

tN Z.P.A.-Reuter —Copyriohti

SALISBURY, September 1

A new Rhodesian political party aiming at introducing universal adult suffrage, and therefore black rule has been formed in Rhodesia.

The Democratic Party was launched at a press conference by Mr Agrippa Mukahlera, aged 34, a former member of the National Democratic Party and of the Zimbabwe African People’s Union, both now banned. An estimated four million Africans and 219,000 Europeans live in Rhodesia. Mr Mukahlera, who describes himself as the party's interim president, said it was non-raciai but claimed considerable support from Rho desian Africans.

The party would press for new negotiations with Britain, he added. Mr Chad Chipunza, an African member of Parliament, said he had resigned from the United People’s Party, the African Opposition Party, to join the new Democratic Party, but would not resign his Parliamentary seat. The new political party was the third formed in Rhodesia this year. On Thursday, the Centre Party was launched, counting mostly young white professional people among its adherents, with a moderate programme.

Its aim is a lasting settlement of the constitutional dispute with Britain on the basis of the six principles discussed by the British Prime Minister (Mr Harold Wilson) and

the Rhodesian Prime Minister (Mr lan Smith) aboard the British warship Tiger. A few months ago, Mr Leonard idensohn broke away from the ruling Rhodesian Front to form the whitesupremacist Rhodesia. National Party.