War vets back Mutasa

War veterans and loyalists of Zanu-PF secretary for administration Didymus Mutasa have come out in defense of the Presidential Affairs minister in the wake of attacks on him by Foreign Affairs deputy minister Chris Mutsvangwa who recently questioned his liberation war credentials.

Mutasa recently refused to respond to Mutsvagwa's comments. But those close to the Zanu-PF secretary for administration spoke to NewsDay, providing detailed information on his role before and after independence.

Others defended Mutasa's participation in the war saying he was active and at one time was arrested in Salisbury, now Harare, together with President Robert Mugabe, Justice minister Emmerson Mnangagwa and late national heroes Enos Nkala, Maurice Nyagumbo and Edgar Tekere among other party cadres, in the 70s.

Robert Gumbo, a war veteran who worked closely with Mutasa during and after the liberation struggle, spoke glowingly about the work Mutasa did, including assisting war veterans to cross into Mozambique for training through a safer route.

Gumbo chronicled Mutasa's history in the struggle saying he started a co-operative and would participate in politics at Cold Comfort Farm where liberation icons like the late nationalist Joshua Nkomo would come for meetings.

Gumbo said the farm was declared illegal in 1971 and banned while Mutasa was arrested and ordered out of the country.

He said Mutasa was at the forefront of the Tangwena struggle and while in the United Kingdom, he continued with his role in fighting for the country and would accommodate several nationalists including Mugabe when they went there.