Opinion / Columnist
Former Zapu and Zanu war veterans set to revive the memories of the Entumbane Battle
09 Nov 2014 at 06:11hrs | Views
Political prophets and analysts have gone as far as predicting the complete destruction of the organization which liberated the people of Zimbabwe, Zanu Pf, following the Mugabe succession fights within this historic organization. It was agreed on during the 1987 Unity accord that saw the merger of two liberation organizations of Zimbabwe, Pf Zapu which was under the leadership of Joshua the late Dr Nkomo( Father Zimbabwe) and Zanu Pf which was under the leadership of Cde Robert Gabriel Mugabe.
The two organizations fought in the liberation struggle for Zimbabwe from opposite directions but fighting one enemy, the Ian Smith ' colonial regime.
Some months after the birth of an independent Zimbabwe, all hell broke out at Entumbane Army Camp, pitying former Zapu (Zipras) and former (Zanla) armies. Zipra cadres complained about the unfair treatments they were exposed to in camps.
In the recent months, Grace Mugabe was endorsed as the leader of Zanu Pf ' Women League. Upon her elevation the first lady of Zimbabwe toured the whole of the country in what became called ' Meet the people ' campaign.
Instead of preaching peace and unity amongst the people of Zimbabwe, 'Mother Zimbabwe ' embarked on attacking the Vice President of the Country Dr Joyce Mujuru.
In all her state addresses, Amai Mugabe spent her entire time attacking Amai Mujuru, calling her someone who is a liability to the freedom of Zimbabwe. Someone who is associated with European imperialists and someone who occupies the Vice President's office, doing nothing and looking up to Mugabe to provide for her. At one stage Amai Mugabe was quote as demanding the immediate resignation of the country's Vice President, saying if she failed to do so, she(Amai Mugabe) would be forced to unseat her from the country's second highest office.
The actions of Amai Mugabe seems to have torn Zanu, Zimbabwe and Zimbabweans apart, which seems likely to go on tribal lines and end up reviving the Entumbane battle of the early 1980s.
Reacting to the first lady's actions, the National War Veterans Association, Jabulani Sibanda, a former Zipra combatant has called it a 'Bedroom Coup' which should never be entertained in Zimbabwe. It has been reported that this self proclaimed War veteran who has always been a die hard follower of Robert Mugabe, did not attend to any of Grace Mugabe's rallies nation wide, which has seen his fellow combatants calling for his sacking as the National Chairman of Veterans Association.
After the Mazoe meeting on which Amai Mugabe had called had called all war veterans to and on which Jabulani Sibanda never set his foot, Joseph Chinotimba, an original Zanu pf member and a former Zanla said it was unreal the Sibanda would claim to be supporting Robert Mugabe but on the other hand rubbishing the wife of the same Robert Mugabe. ' Sibanda does not deserve to lead the war veterans of this country, he is too much ignorant and short sighted', said Chinotimba. 'We will make sure he vacate the war veterans chairman's post', added Chinotimba
A week later, war veterans from Midlands convened a meeting in which they vowed to stand by their beleaguered chairman.
Today a reliable source, a War veteran and a former Zipra has revealed that a very big storm is brewing in Zimbabwe. Talking from anonymous stand point, the war veteran revealed that a few days ago the war veterans from Matebeleland also convened a meeting and resolved to defend Sibanda at all cost and with all they had in their possession. ' We as former Zipras will stand by Sibanda until the end of it all ' said the war veteran. ' We fought for a Zimbabwe that recognises freedom of expression, what's wrong with Sibanda ' calling of the first family actions as the Bedroom Coup.? he asked. ' We are not bothered by Chinotimba's calling for the sacking of Sibanda because that will never happen as long as we live'. 'If that means facing off again, let it be. We are men enough to face them in whatever cost. It is quiet a long time that these people have been detecting terms to us. I don't think Joshua Nkomo signed the Unity Accord under the name of Zanu because they were superior but because he wanted to promote peace in Zimbabwe. If Joseph (Chinotimba) and his men want war, may they continue that way ''. the war vet concluded.
The two organizations fought in the liberation struggle for Zimbabwe from opposite directions but fighting one enemy, the Ian Smith ' colonial regime.
Some months after the birth of an independent Zimbabwe, all hell broke out at Entumbane Army Camp, pitying former Zapu (Zipras) and former (Zanla) armies. Zipra cadres complained about the unfair treatments they were exposed to in camps.
In the recent months, Grace Mugabe was endorsed as the leader of Zanu Pf ' Women League. Upon her elevation the first lady of Zimbabwe toured the whole of the country in what became called ' Meet the people ' campaign.
Instead of preaching peace and unity amongst the people of Zimbabwe, 'Mother Zimbabwe ' embarked on attacking the Vice President of the Country Dr Joyce Mujuru.
In all her state addresses, Amai Mugabe spent her entire time attacking Amai Mujuru, calling her someone who is a liability to the freedom of Zimbabwe. Someone who is associated with European imperialists and someone who occupies the Vice President's office, doing nothing and looking up to Mugabe to provide for her. At one stage Amai Mugabe was quote as demanding the immediate resignation of the country's Vice President, saying if she failed to do so, she(Amai Mugabe) would be forced to unseat her from the country's second highest office.
The actions of Amai Mugabe seems to have torn Zanu, Zimbabwe and Zimbabweans apart, which seems likely to go on tribal lines and end up reviving the Entumbane battle of the early 1980s.
Reacting to the first lady's actions, the National War Veterans Association, Jabulani Sibanda, a former Zipra combatant has called it a 'Bedroom Coup' which should never be entertained in Zimbabwe. It has been reported that this self proclaimed War veteran who has always been a die hard follower of Robert Mugabe, did not attend to any of Grace Mugabe's rallies nation wide, which has seen his fellow combatants calling for his sacking as the National Chairman of Veterans Association.
After the Mazoe meeting on which Amai Mugabe had called had called all war veterans to and on which Jabulani Sibanda never set his foot, Joseph Chinotimba, an original Zanu pf member and a former Zanla said it was unreal the Sibanda would claim to be supporting Robert Mugabe but on the other hand rubbishing the wife of the same Robert Mugabe. ' Sibanda does not deserve to lead the war veterans of this country, he is too much ignorant and short sighted', said Chinotimba. 'We will make sure he vacate the war veterans chairman's post', added Chinotimba
A week later, war veterans from Midlands convened a meeting in which they vowed to stand by their beleaguered chairman.
Today a reliable source, a War veteran and a former Zipra has revealed that a very big storm is brewing in Zimbabwe. Talking from anonymous stand point, the war veteran revealed that a few days ago the war veterans from Matebeleland also convened a meeting and resolved to defend Sibanda at all cost and with all they had in their possession. ' We as former Zipras will stand by Sibanda until the end of it all ' said the war veteran. ' We fought for a Zimbabwe that recognises freedom of expression, what's wrong with Sibanda ' calling of the first family actions as the Bedroom Coup.? he asked. ' We are not bothered by Chinotimba's calling for the sacking of Sibanda because that will never happen as long as we live'. 'If that means facing off again, let it be. We are men enough to face them in whatever cost. It is quiet a long time that these people have been detecting terms to us. I don't think Joshua Nkomo signed the Unity Accord under the name of Zanu because they were superior but because he wanted to promote peace in Zimbabwe. If Joseph (Chinotimba) and his men want war, may they continue that way ''. the war vet concluded.
Source - Brian Sherif
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