War vets finally meet in Byo

THE Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association Bulawayo chapter yesterday held its inter-district meeting, a week after the meeting was cancelled over unclear circumstances.

Cde Christopher Mutsvangwa, the association’s national chairperson, attended the meeting together with other national executive members who included his deputy, Cde Headman Moyo, secretary- general Cde Victor Matemadanda, Cde Robert Ncube (treasurer) and provincial leaders from other provinces.

Cde Matemadanda urged war veterans to guard against people who were trying to destabilise the association.

He said unity was key to the development of the country and the association before urging fellow war veterans to rally behind Cde Mutsvangwa.

He also took time to mock Cde George Mlala who is alleged to be leading a splinter group in the Bulawayo Province.

“Some are saying take away Mutsvangwa so that we can give you money. Take your money and we will keep our Mutsvangwa because we are not as stupid as they assume or think we are. Let us take away the mindset of people who want to use us for their own benefit.

“Here in Bulawayo you have an old man who doesn’t want to marry. He is still single and this man is a specialist in lying, very old and not consistent.

‘‘ Perhaps it’s because he doesn’t have kids because speaking from my experience, when I say something my children often ask me the meaning of what I was saying.

‘‘I am talking about that old man whose legs are both left footed. Is there a woman among you who can take care of this old man?” he said in jest drawing laughter from the crowd.

Cde Matematanda who is also the ZANU- PF Central Committee member added that the ruling party risks facing an uphill task in the forthcoming 2018 elections if it continues to pass votes of no confidence on its members.

“There are dull people who just pass votes of no confidence.

‘‘ People who joined the party in 2005 are leading the call to fire people in the party and this is seen in Mashonaland West where they want to fire Chanetsa.

‘‘ This is the time to save the party. There are people who want to frustrate you so that you can run away and they can then do whatever they want.”

Mashonaland West war vets provincial chairperson Cde Colenius Muhoni said war veterans in his province will always support Cde Mutsvangwa.

He disputed the claim that war veterans in his province suspended their national chairperson.

Cde Mutsvangwa who is also Minister for the War Veterans, War Collaborators, Former Political Detainees and Restrictees thanked his national executive for standing with him when people were calling for his expulsion.

Mashonaland West province recently recommended Cde Mutsvangwa’s censure following his utterances in the private media that were deemed as an insult to the First Family and undermining the authority of the President.

Bulawayo war veterans chairperson Cde Cephas Ncube said they have recalled three national executive members, Cdes Sinikiwe Siwela, Dumisani Ncube, Kennin Ndebele.

The trio will be replaced by Cdes Japhet Phuthi, Themba Ndlovu and Netilia Matuna.