News / Local
Fierce fighting rocks war vets body
01 Nov 2023 at 01:57hrs | Views
The Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA) is currently experiencing intense power struggles, with a "new" leadership claiming to have displaced the incumbent leadership under War Veterans Minister Christopher Mutsvangwa. Mutsvangwa has led the war veterans association for the past decade.
The emergence of a new executive, led by Andrease Mathibela, two weeks ago claimed that they held a congress where they were elected as the new leaders. Other members of the new executive include Edward Dube (secretary-general), Livingstone Chineka (finance secretary), Aloise Chimeri (information secretary), and Karen Kazingizi (welfare secretary).
However, Blessed Runesu Geza, who was allegedly elected as vice-president of the association, distanced himself from the new leadership, stating that they did not hold a proper congress and their appointment was done via WhatsApp.
Members of the existing Mutsvangwa executive, including Jowell Mureremba (commissar) and interim spokesperson Sam Parirenyatwa, rejected the Mathibela executive, describing them as illegitimate. Mureremba emphasized the importance of a proper congress and revealed that they had received approval to hold an elective congress.
Mathibela stood his ground as the new chairman, asserting that the existing executive had ignored the concerns of ex-combatants while living luxuriously. He expressed the need to improve the welfare of liberation fighters, emphasizing that it was time for a change.
The ZNLWVA has been a significant support pillar for the ruling party, Zanu-PF, in various elections since its formation in 1990. War veterans have often been accused of leading violent campaigns against the opposition. They played a crucial role in the land reform process in 2000 and supported the November coup in 2017, which ushered in President Emmerson Mnangagwa's administration.
The emergence of a new executive, led by Andrease Mathibela, two weeks ago claimed that they held a congress where they were elected as the new leaders. Other members of the new executive include Edward Dube (secretary-general), Livingstone Chineka (finance secretary), Aloise Chimeri (information secretary), and Karen Kazingizi (welfare secretary).
However, Blessed Runesu Geza, who was allegedly elected as vice-president of the association, distanced himself from the new leadership, stating that they did not hold a proper congress and their appointment was done via WhatsApp.
Mathibela stood his ground as the new chairman, asserting that the existing executive had ignored the concerns of ex-combatants while living luxuriously. He expressed the need to improve the welfare of liberation fighters, emphasizing that it was time for a change.
The ZNLWVA has been a significant support pillar for the ruling party, Zanu-PF, in various elections since its formation in 1990. War veterans have often been accused of leading violent campaigns against the opposition. They played a crucial role in the land reform process in 2000 and supported the November coup in 2017, which ushered in President Emmerson Mnangagwa's administration.
Source - newsday
