Zanu-PF MP chides war vets

HIGHFIELDS West MP Psychology Maziwisa (Zanu-PF) yesterday savaged "uneducated war veterans" for threatening a showdown with party leader President Robert Mugabe and challenged them for a physical confrontation.

Maziwisa, a self-confessed G40 faction member, made the remarks after Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans' Association spokesperson Douglas Mahiya threatened to doorstep and embarrass Mugabe at their Thursday meeting in Harare.

"We are sick and tired of people who think the President must bow down to them all the time. Who the hell do they think they are?" Maziwisa said.

"Make no mistake, we respect those who fought to bring about the independence of this country, but we equally expect them to respect our party constitution and especially our President. Any insult to the President is an insult to all patriotic Zimbabweans."

He added: Will they win the war? They must refuse to be used or soon we will clash with them and it is not going to be a pleasant sight at all. If they think that these are just empty words, I dare them to utter just one more word of disrespect towards President Mugabe and see if all hell will not break loose."

Maziwisa is not the first one to threaten the war veterans.

Zanu-PF deputy secretary for youth affairs Kudzai Chipanga in February called youths to mobilise and prepare for war with war veterans who continued to "disrespect" Mugabe and his wife First Lady Grace Mugabe.

Maziwisa said: "But that is all the more reason why they should learn to shut up when the learned are talking."

Mahiya yesterday refused to comment, saying Maziwisa was entitled to his views.