Anti-Mugabe war veterans on trial

Five war veterans accused of undermining President Robert Mugabe's authority have gone on trial in Zimbabwe's capital, Harare.

It comes after the war veterans' association said in a statement in July that it was withdrawing its backing for him, accusing him of dictatorial tendencies, egocentrism and misrule.

The statement said the veterans would not support the 92-year-old president's re-election campaign, accusing him of abandoning them for the Zanu-PF's youth league.  

Among those on trial are Victor Matemadanda, former Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association's secretary-general, and Douglas Mahiya, its former spokesman.

The war veterans spearheaded the invasion of white-owned farms starting in 2000 and have been accused of using election violence to keep Mr Mugabe in power.