Mnangagwa blasts war veterans for attacking ‘dictatorial’ Mugabe
By Staff Reporter
Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa has described as “nonsensical” calls by war veterans for President Robert Mugabe to resign.
War veterans gathered in Harare on Thursday and declared that Zimbabwe would never get international financial assistance as long as Mugabe, 92, remains in power. The veterans of Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle called Mugabe “dictatorial, manipulative and egocentric.”
“I watched ZBCtv (on Friday and learnt) that they made a statement, but I haven’t read it. If they said the President must resign, then that is nonsensical,” Mnangagwa said.
“If they are true war veterans, the President is their Commander-in-Chief and they must be loyal and committed. I don’t think those who say such things are loyal or genuine war veterans. They must be loyal,” Mnangagwa is quoted saying by the State owned media.
But given that Mnangagwa was appointed Vice President by President Mugabe, it would be suicidal for him to support the statement by war veterans who bluntly said the Zanu PF leader at 92 was too old and should step down to make way for Mnangagwa.
The war veterans, who used to be rabidly behind Mugabe, are now supporting his deputy, to take over, with the reported backing of the military and are increasingly getting vocal in their criticism of the president describing him as “dictatorial, manipulative and egocentric.”
“The most stupid thing war veterans can do is to be scared to speak about succession when the leader is 92. Nobody will give money to a 92 year-old,” said Douglas Mahiya, the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association spokesperson.
“We are dismayed by the president’s tendency to indulge, in his usual vitriol against perceived enemies, including peaceful protesters, as well as war veterans, when the economy is on its knees,” the war veterans said in a statement.
In February, police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse hundreds of veterans who were demonstrating against what they described as criticism by Mugabe’s wife, Grace.
“Regrettably, the general citizenry has previously been subjected to this inhuman and degrading treatment without a word of disapproval from us,” the war veterans said on Thursday.” Nehanda Radio
