Mugabe creating trouble for family, says ex-fighter
HARARE: At least one war veteran says President Robert Mugabe, 92, should be careful that his actions do not make it impossible for his wife and children to live in peace in Zimbabwe after he dies.
Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans’ Association, ZNLWVA, secretary-general Victor Mat- emadanda told local newspaper, Newsday: “Mugabe is soiling his own legacy by overstaying.
“There is no need to force things. He is creating trouble for his children by antagonising everyone. “We feel for his wife and children. “It will not take 10 minutes after Mugabe’s demise for (first lady) Grace to start running. Even his children probably understand what is happening now and might need to sensitise him on how his actions could stoke problems for them.”
He said Grace was being “abused” by a group within Zanu-PF.
Some veterans of the 1970s war to end minority white rule released a critique against Mugabe last month accusing him of betraying the struggle and impoverishing mosst Zimbabweans. Mugabe then sacked the war veterans minister Christopher Mutsvangwa, who is chairman of the war veterans association.
Five veterans from the association have been charged with insulting Mugabe in the unsigned critique and are being defended by Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights.
Many war veterans previously had nothing to do with any opposition groups and assisted Zanu-PF in campaigns against the opposition and helped evict white farmers from their properties since 2000.
“We made Mugabe popular, we removed (former Zanu leader) Ndabaningi Sithole and educated the masses that he was our leader. But now he thinks we are so helpless that we should only be talking to him when our artificial limbs have problems or when we need bandages for the wounds that have not healed since the war,” Matemadanda said.
“Mugabe thinks we are his labourers, who should have no say in the country’s or Zanu-PF politics.”
Matemadanda said Mugabe ensured that there was no line between Zanu-PF and government institutions.
Mutsvangwa said Zanu-PF remained transfixed with the activities of his association “because they realise the party is a shell without former freedom fighters”.
“It confirms our assertion that Zanu-PF, without war veterans, is a body without a soul.”