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War vets to lead Mnangagwa onslaught
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A faction of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA) has declared its intent to "lead the onslaught" against President Emmerson Mnangagwa, significantly escalating tensions within the ruling Zanu-PF party. This announcement comes as war veterans, frustrated by Zimbabwe's economic crisis, rally behind outspoken critic and Zanu-PF Central Committee member Blessed "Bombshell" Geza, who recently condemned Mnangagwa's leadership and declared that he is "not fit to run this country."
Addressing a press conference in Harare on Friday, Andrease Mathibela, the leader of the faction, warned that the situation was reaching a boiling point. "Maybe our presser today is the last. We want to address the elephant in the room as quickly as possible. In a week or two, the pressure will be on," Mathibela declared, hinting at a mounting effort to remove the President from office.
Mathibela revealed that the ZNLWVA faction had consulted widely with ordinary citizens, who, he said, overwhelmingly agreed that Mnangagwa should step down. "We are behind Geza; we sent him to the front. He is our rabble-rouser," Mathibela added, in solidarity with Geza's vocal criticism of the President's failure to address Zimbabwe's ongoing economic woes.
He accused Mnangagwa of neglecting the country's economic struggles, citing widespread corruption that has exacerbated poverty among ordinary Zimbabweans. "The government is not serious about addressing the crisis it has created," Mathibela remarked, giving Mnangagwa a two-week ultimatum to step down or face mass protests. "We will go to the streets, and the people will demand change."
Mathibela emphasized that the association, which has a long history of involvement in Zimbabwe's liberation struggle, had been in consultation with various sectors of society, including chiefs, the mass media, and even spiritual mediums, who have all reportedly urged the veterans to take charge and demand the President's resignation.
"We were quiet while others made noise. We were busy consulting. The nation has spoken; they want us to lead the charge," Mathibela said, adding that the war veterans would be at the forefront of any efforts to force Mnangagwa out of office. "The masses have told us, in no uncertain terms, that we must lead the onslaught, and we are in full agreement."
Mathibela also criticized the government's attempts to pacify war veterans with financial incentives and housing offers. "Why suddenly now are they offering us US$1.5 million and the Tungwarara houses? We call them small houses because it's a mockery," he said, questioning why war veterans are being singled out for such offers while the broader population continues to suffer.
The war veteran leader suggested that Mnangagwa and his government were uncomfortable with the growing discontent among veterans, hence the attempt to silence them with these offerings. "What about the people who put you into power? Why focus only on us?" Mathibela asked.
With calls for Mnangagwa's resignation gaining momentum, the coming weeks are expected to be critical in determining whether the growing faction of war veterans will successfully lead protests that could shake the foundation of the ruling party. The nation watches closely as the pressure mounts on the embattled President to respond to the demands for change.
Addressing a press conference in Harare on Friday, Andrease Mathibela, the leader of the faction, warned that the situation was reaching a boiling point. "Maybe our presser today is the last. We want to address the elephant in the room as quickly as possible. In a week or two, the pressure will be on," Mathibela declared, hinting at a mounting effort to remove the President from office.
Mathibela revealed that the ZNLWVA faction had consulted widely with ordinary citizens, who, he said, overwhelmingly agreed that Mnangagwa should step down. "We are behind Geza; we sent him to the front. He is our rabble-rouser," Mathibela added, in solidarity with Geza's vocal criticism of the President's failure to address Zimbabwe's ongoing economic woes.
He accused Mnangagwa of neglecting the country's economic struggles, citing widespread corruption that has exacerbated poverty among ordinary Zimbabweans. "The government is not serious about addressing the crisis it has created," Mathibela remarked, giving Mnangagwa a two-week ultimatum to step down or face mass protests. "We will go to the streets, and the people will demand change."
"We were quiet while others made noise. We were busy consulting. The nation has spoken; they want us to lead the charge," Mathibela said, adding that the war veterans would be at the forefront of any efforts to force Mnangagwa out of office. "The masses have told us, in no uncertain terms, that we must lead the onslaught, and we are in full agreement."
Mathibela also criticized the government's attempts to pacify war veterans with financial incentives and housing offers. "Why suddenly now are they offering us US$1.5 million and the Tungwarara houses? We call them small houses because it's a mockery," he said, questioning why war veterans are being singled out for such offers while the broader population continues to suffer.
The war veteran leader suggested that Mnangagwa and his government were uncomfortable with the growing discontent among veterans, hence the attempt to silence them with these offerings. "What about the people who put you into power? Why focus only on us?" Mathibela asked.
With calls for Mnangagwa's resignation gaining momentum, the coming weeks are expected to be critical in determining whether the growing faction of war veterans will successfully lead protests that could shake the foundation of the ruling party. The nation watches closely as the pressure mounts on the embattled President to respond to the demands for change.
Source - newsday
