Tshinga Dube refuses to recognise Mandi Chimene-led executive

THE Government will not recognise the war veterans' structures being set up by Mandiitawepi Chimene's supporters and will continue working with those that existed before the expulsion of the erstwhile war veterans chairman, Christopher Mutsvangwa, a Cabinet Minister has said.

Addressing members of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans' Association from the Midlands and Masvingo Provinces in Gweru on Sunday, the Minister of Welfare Services for War Veterans, War Collaborators and Ex-Political Detainees, Retired Colonel Tshinga Dube, said the Government does not support parallel structures.

Some of the structures were set up by George Mlala as a follow up to the solidarity meeting which the freedom fighters convened with President Mugabe in June.

Rtd Col Dube said the ministry wants war veterans to unite.

He said former war veterans chairperson, Mutsvangwa and five other expelled executive members were still members of the association although they had outstanding issues to resolve with the party and the courts.

He said Chimene had conceded that they erred in setting up parallel structures and fanning divisions among war veterans.

Rtd Col Dube said President Mugabe wanted to see war veterans united and speaking with one voice.

Rtd Col Dube said the Government had set up a steering committee to run the affairs of the association pending conclusion of the Mutsvangwa case. The committee would be led by Robert Ncube assisted by Cdes Chinengundu and Mlala.