'New world order in Zanu-PF,' says Jabulani Sibanda

Ousted war veterans leader Jabulani Sibanda says there is a new world order in Zanu-PF where those who have been doing nothing for the party are being rewarded while hardworking elected members are punished.

Sibanda - who was booted out as war veterans leader and fired from Zanu-PF earlier this month - told The Standard that current developments in Zanu-PF posed a threat to life. He pleaded with Zimbabweans to turn to God for courage and wisdom to bring down the walls dividing Zanu-PF and the country.

His utterances come in the wake of nationwide suspension of provincial chairpersons and senior party officials for allegedly supporting Vice-President Joice Mujuru in the race to succeed President Robert Mugabe.

The Mujuru camp is battling with another led by Justice minister Emmerson Mnangagwa.

The former war vets boss wished the party a successful congress which he however described as a factional honeymoon where all people with divergent views and opinions had been axed.

"People who have been voted for and worked tirelessly for this country have been booted out. That is the new world order in Zanu-PF that people who have been elected and work hard for the party do not qualify," he said.

Sibanda said Ray Kaukonde was ousted as the Mashonaland East provincial chair despite the party's impressive performance in election in the province.

Manicaland provincial chairperson John Mvundura suffered the same fate despite a 97% score in the province. Masvingo provincial chairperson Killian Gwanetsa and Matabeleland South province's Andrew Langa were also kicked out despite a 100% score in the 2013 elections, he said.

"People in towns do not vote for Zanu-PF because of the conduct of the party. There are no jobs, water is not flowing from taps and there is no electricity, but Harare provincial chair Amos Midzi managed to get five seats from zero, but he has been booted out.

"That is the new Zanu-PF world order, that people who had abandoned the party and others who are always at media houses preparing statements are getting rewarded while hardworking officials are removed," Sibanda said.

He added: "Just yesterday [Thursday] a certain traditional chief called me and said he was shocked that I had been sacked despite all the hard work I did for Zanu-PF. What he said touched me and I assure you that a lot of people are worried about what is happening in the country."

Sibanda said Zimbabweans should start to critically think about life ahead and pray for God's courage to confront the elephant in the room.

"People should pray for wisdom and courage that will bring down all walls dividing people in Zimbabwe. It is high time people think ahead and pray for straightforwardness," Sibanda said.
Sibanda was expelled for allegedly being aligned to a faction led by Mujuru.

The firebrand former war veterans' leader had also made statements saying Zimbabwe would not tolerate a bedroom coup, in apparent reference to First lady Grace Mugabe's entry into politics. Grace has repeatedly called for Mujuru's resignation claiming she was corrupt and was plotting to oust her husband.

Sibanda said in an interview last week that only the people of Zimbabwe were the authors of their destiny and pleaded with them to turn to God for courage to face their problems, claiming the current situation posed threats to human life.

"There are threats to life and it is not new in Zimbabwe that each time there are purges in Zanu-PF assassinations followed. As for me, I was daily in danger for uniting people, defending the land and ensuring that Zimbabwe remains a republic that it is today," Sibanda said.

Referring to the just-ended war veterans' congress that ushered in Foreign Affairs deputy minister Christopher Mutsvangwa as leader, Sibanda said: "I congratulate Cde Mutsvangwa for managing to eventually getting all the guys who have been hibernating, except for Joseph Chinotimba, while some of us were busy fighting for the country, guarding it against imperialism."

He added: "I congratulate him for bringing them under a brand new war veterans' organisation. I am delighted that all war veterans have come out from their hiding places as according to Chinese Communist leader Mao Zedong, many hands make the job easier."

Sibanda said his executive worked tirelessly for a Zanu-PF electoral victory, without pay or any form of incentive, but regrettably they were rewarded with dismissal. He said they worked under very difficult conditions, most of the time having to abandon the comfort of their homes while others were hibernating.

Blasting the unconstitutional nature in which people were being fired from Zanu-PF, the tough- talking Sibanda said there was need for the country to respect its laws, not people's opinions.

He said the on-going factional wars have seen opinions being respected more than laws.