News / National
JB neglected war veterans in pursuit of 'a regime change agenda'
19 Nov 2014 at 08:11hrs | Views
Staff Reporter
War veterans have accused the Jabulani Sibanda-led executive of neglecting them and pursuing a regime change agenda at the expense of the core values of the association saying the hoped the new executive led by Christopher Mutsvangwa will deliver.
Mutsvangwa was nominated unopposed as the new chairperson of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA) at a congress held in Masvingo over the weekend. The congress ushered in the new national executive comprising members from all the 10 provinces.
"I am happy because one enemy has gone. Jabulani Sibanda had destroyed the war veterans' association. It was my goal that it happens," said Joseph Chinotimba who harbored interests in the top post.
Another war veteran and Nyanga North legislator Hubert Nyanhongo said the emergence of Mutsvangwa and the executive was going to revive the association.
"There is great hope that things will be okay for the war veterans, the party and the nation at large. Looking at his experience and background as a diplomat and seasoned war veteran who joined the struggle early in 1974, we are hoping to see great changes that we had never expected.
"Looking at his capabilities, there is great hope that the association will not be the same again. Basa ravaMugabe richaita nyore," said Nyanhongo.
He said it was the role of the war veterans to make sure that Zanu-PF was protected and that its principles were followed.
Takure Maeresera said the new ZNLWA should address the plight of the freedom fighters.
"We expect the new leadership to address our welfare. We agreed that these people can work with us well.
"They are trustworthy and we were with them in the bush. They are not bogus. If they fail, we have the right to remove them. But we know they will not fail," he said.
Former ZNLWA secretary General Andy Mhlanga said he expected the new executive to strengthen Zanu-PF and enable the party to go to congress united.
War veterans have accused the Jabulani Sibanda-led executive of neglecting them and pursuing a regime change agenda at the expense of the core values of the association saying the hoped the new executive led by Christopher Mutsvangwa will deliver.
Mutsvangwa was nominated unopposed as the new chairperson of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA) at a congress held in Masvingo over the weekend. The congress ushered in the new national executive comprising members from all the 10 provinces.
"I am happy because one enemy has gone. Jabulani Sibanda had destroyed the war veterans' association. It was my goal that it happens," said Joseph Chinotimba who harbored interests in the top post.
Another war veteran and Nyanga North legislator Hubert Nyanhongo said the emergence of Mutsvangwa and the executive was going to revive the association.
"There is great hope that things will be okay for the war veterans, the party and the nation at large. Looking at his experience and background as a diplomat and seasoned war veteran who joined the struggle early in 1974, we are hoping to see great changes that we had never expected.
"Looking at his capabilities, there is great hope that the association will not be the same again. Basa ravaMugabe richaita nyore," said Nyanhongo.
He said it was the role of the war veterans to make sure that Zanu-PF was protected and that its principles were followed.
Takure Maeresera said the new ZNLWA should address the plight of the freedom fighters.
"We expect the new leadership to address our welfare. We agreed that these people can work with us well.
"They are trustworthy and we were with them in the bush. They are not bogus. If they fail, we have the right to remove them. But we know they will not fail," he said.
Former ZNLWA secretary General Andy Mhlanga said he expected the new executive to strengthen Zanu-PF and enable the party to go to congress united.
Source - The Herald
