Zanu-PF lashes out at Geza's statements

The ruling Zanu-PF party has strongly condemned Central Committee member Blessing Geza for making "treasonous" and "outrageous" statements aimed at sowing division and causing alarm within the country. The party emphasized that Geza's remarks, which undermined the leadership of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, were contrary to the party's values and discipline.

In a statement issued yesterday, Zanu-PF Secretary for Information and Publicity Christopher Mutsvangwa accused Geza of attempting to discredit the party's war veteran entities and destabilize the party's unity. "The outlandish, treasonable, and egregious rantings of errant Geza offended the hallowed tenets of party discipline," said Mutsvangwa. "Such reckless attempts to usurp the credentials of war veteran entities will not be tolerated."

The party further confirmed that the relevant organs are handling the matter expediently, with Mashonaland West Province already recommending his immediate expulsion.

Amid the controversy, war veterans have reiterated their support for President Mnangagwa's leadership, backing the call for his term to be extended until 2030. This position was unanimously adopted at the 2024 Zanu-PF Annual National People's Conference held in Bulawayo.

Douglas Mahiya, Secretary for War Veterans, Ex-Political Prisoners, Detainees, and Restrictees, stated that it was the clear wish of the majority of Zimbabweans for the President to continue leading. "What the party has agreed upon cannot be undone. One individual cannot reverse what the people have agreed to do. To go against the resolutions of the party is to turn against your country," Mahiya asserted, referring to Geza's statements.

He emphasized that war veterans should align themselves with the party and refrain from acting in opposition to the collective will. "We support Zanu-PF and President Mnangagwa because leadership is ordained by God," Mahiya added.

In line with President Mnangagwa's commitment to supporting war veterans, the government has launched several initiatives aimed at improving their livelihoods. At the launch of the Presidential War Veterans Fund in Kujogo Village, Centenary, Mashonaland Central, Mahiya announced the establishment of a trust fund for the widows of war veterans.

Dr. Paul Tungwarara, the Special Advisor to the President on Investment, presented US$150,000 allocated to Mashonaland Central, alongside smaller grants to local village business units. "The fund is accessible to all war veterans at zero percent interest, allowing them to access financial resources for entrepreneurial ventures," Dr. Tungwarara explained.

Kazembe Kazembe, Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, also highlighted the importance of empowering war veterans to foster self-reliance and contribute to the economic development of the country. "We are building an ecosystem where war veterans actively participate in income generation and employment," he said.

The launch event in Muzarabani attracted thousands of attendees who expressed unwavering support for President Mnangagwa's leadership and his transformative policies. Local leaders, including Headman Moyo and Jeffrey Chigombe, praised the President for his commitment to addressing the needs of war veterans, including compensation for war collaborators and education opportunities.

Moyo, the Deputy Minister of Veterans of the Liberation Struggle, expressed deep gratitude for the interest-free revolving fund, emphasizing that President Mnangagwa's initiatives would improve the lives of war veterans across the country.

Kazembe also thanked the President for his continued focus on empowering war veterans, noting that their contributions to Zimbabwe's liberation struggle should never be forgotten. "They have suffered enough, and as a province, we are focused on how to support our war veterans," he said.

Despite the attempts by rogue elements like Geza to undermine the party's leadership, the message from Zanu-PF is clear: full support for President Mnangagwa's leadership and the party's unity remains resolute.