News / National
War veterans confront Emmerson Mnangagwa
30 May 2024 at 03:48hrs | Views
War veterans are calling on President Emmerson Mnangagwa to revamp his Cabinet and politburo to eliminate newcomers and make room for former combatants.
Zanu-PF central committee member and former lawmaker Blessed Geza voiced concerns that veterans who played pivotal roles in the 2017 coup to oust former President Robert Mugabe have been marginalized.
Geza aired his grievances on HStv, emphasizing that those who previously opposed Mnangagwa and Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga are now reaping rewards, while war veterans are sidelined.
Mnangagwa's Cabinet appointments after the coup included a mix of technocrats and long-standing Zanu-PF members, excluding some war veterans who were instrumental during the coup.
In February, Mnangagwa dismissed Christopher Mutsvangwa, the War Veterans minister and a prominent figure in the coup, without providing reasons for his removal.
Geza also criticized alleged interference with the judiciary by top Zanu-PF officials, claiming that the independence of the courts has been compromised.
He urged judges to report to war veterans to address what he perceives as intimidation.
Geza's sentiments echo Mutsvangwa's recent complaints about judicial interference in his son's money laundering case.
A High Court judge presiding over Neville Mutsvangwa's case recently recused herself without explanation, sparking further concerns about judicial independence.
These allegations of judicial capture have been voiced by opposition figures and civic groups as well.
Geza shed light on the behind-the-scenes efforts to oust Mugabe, revealing that many Zanu-PF leaders were initially hesitant and fearful.
He accused party leaders of succumbing to rumors and misinformation propagated by those seeking favor with the President, vowing to confront and halt these practices.
Meanwhile, a faction of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA) has raised concerns about attempts to co-opt the organization by Zanu-PF factions ahead of their upcoming congress.
In a statement, ZNLWVA chairperson Ethan Andrease Mathibela criticized the political affiliations of aspiring leaders within the organization and highlighted the sidelining of war veterans by the government.
He called for introspection within the war veterans' community to address historical grievances and improve their living conditions despite their pivotal role in securing Zimbabwe's independence.
Zanu-PF central committee member and former lawmaker Blessed Geza voiced concerns that veterans who played pivotal roles in the 2017 coup to oust former President Robert Mugabe have been marginalized.
Geza aired his grievances on HStv, emphasizing that those who previously opposed Mnangagwa and Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga are now reaping rewards, while war veterans are sidelined.
Mnangagwa's Cabinet appointments after the coup included a mix of technocrats and long-standing Zanu-PF members, excluding some war veterans who were instrumental during the coup.
In February, Mnangagwa dismissed Christopher Mutsvangwa, the War Veterans minister and a prominent figure in the coup, without providing reasons for his removal.
Geza also criticized alleged interference with the judiciary by top Zanu-PF officials, claiming that the independence of the courts has been compromised.
He urged judges to report to war veterans to address what he perceives as intimidation.
A High Court judge presiding over Neville Mutsvangwa's case recently recused herself without explanation, sparking further concerns about judicial independence.
These allegations of judicial capture have been voiced by opposition figures and civic groups as well.
Geza shed light on the behind-the-scenes efforts to oust Mugabe, revealing that many Zanu-PF leaders were initially hesitant and fearful.
He accused party leaders of succumbing to rumors and misinformation propagated by those seeking favor with the President, vowing to confront and halt these practices.
Meanwhile, a faction of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA) has raised concerns about attempts to co-opt the organization by Zanu-PF factions ahead of their upcoming congress.
In a statement, ZNLWVA chairperson Ethan Andrease Mathibela criticized the political affiliations of aspiring leaders within the organization and highlighted the sidelining of war veterans by the government.
He called for introspection within the war veterans' community to address historical grievances and improve their living conditions despite their pivotal role in securing Zimbabwe's independence.
Source - newsday
