War vets thump nose at Mugabe

The Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association has welcomed Zanu PF's move to expel its senior leaders from the governing party saying it will give them space and time to work with the people.

The former freedom fighters said they were unfazed over the Zanu PF's politburo decision to fire secretary-general Victor Matemadanda, spokesperson Douglas Mahiya, national commissar Francis Nhando and Vice chairman Headman Moyo on Wednesday.

Mahiya said the ex-combatants were not supposed to be aligned to any party in the first place.

War veterans insist they are the bedrock of Zanu PF despite their expulsion on Wednesday.

The former freedom fighters fell out with Mugabe last month after they grew disillusioned with Zanu PF leader's attitude towards them.

War veterans who have been one of Mugabe and Zanu PF's strongest pillars of support over the past five decades, playing particularly significant roles to keep the nonagerian in power in the hotly disputed 2000 and 2008 elections which were both marred by serious violence and the murder of hundreds of opposition supporters.