Panicky Mugabe courts war vets

President Robert Mugabe has reportedly pressed the panic button in the wake of howls of disapproval from veterans of the country's liberation struggle and a growing schism between the ex-fighters and the Zanu-PF elite.

Mugabe had initially appeared to have discarded the war veterans, led by Christopher Mutsvangwa, when he publicly accused him of disorderly conduct two weeks ago, but made a volte-face at the weekend when he sought to reconnect with ex-combatants and former detainees at his 92nd birthday bash held in Masvingo.

This came amid reports that his new nemesis and former deputy, Joice Mujuru - who now leads the opposition Zimbabwe People First - was "fishing in the same pond for support".