War vets leaders booted out

The Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans' Association has passed a vote of no confidence in two executive members for allegedly plotting to topple the national leadership led by Christopher Mutsvangwa.

Deputy national secretary-general Charles Mpofu and secretary for transport and welfare Michael Mapfumo were fingered in the plot by fellow executive members.

Announcing the decision on Tuesday, ZNLWA national secretary for information and publicity William Matenga said the national executive resolved to suspend the two for allegedly plotting to overthrow Mutsvangwa whom they said wielded too much influence.

"The association unanimously voted that Mpofu and Mapfumo should be demoted to district level and at that level they should not hold any position for the next five years," said Matenga.

"Cdes Mpofu and Mapfumo are sowing seeds of discontent within the association aimed at ousting a constitutionally elected national chairman."

Matenga said Mutsvangwa was democratically elected at a congress by the association whose patron is President Mugabe.

In an interview, Mutsvangwa lashed out at Cdes Mpofu and Mapfumo whom he said were being funded by the People First political outfit fronted by ousted Vice President Joice Mujuru to destroy war veterans' structures.

He said the association had initiated disciplinary processes against the two in terms of their constitution.

"We are the vanguard of the ruling party, we don't tolerate such nonsense. These people made several attempts to cause discord within the association, but they were caught," said Mutsvangwa.