By Job Mbizi | Harare Bureau |
Some war veterans who attended Thursday’s crucial meeting in Harare blasted President Robert Mugabe saying he did not respond to major issues they put forward, especially a request to stop his wife Grace Mugabe from destroying the party.
Over 10 000 war veterans gathered at the City Sports Centre in their first meeting in 36 years to deliberate on critical issues which have thrown the ruling party Zanu PF into chaos.
Two factions one led by Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa and another one called Generation 40 (G40) led by Grace have been involved in brutal fight over the control
of the party in past recent months. This led to the expulsion of war veterans’ association chairman, Christopher Mutsvangwa and other war veterans from Zanu PF.
“This was just a farce nothing concrete came out of this meeting. I am very disappointed I can’t believe we came all the way from Gokwe for this joke,” said one of the war veterans association member from Midlands province who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Another war veteran from Manicaland said; “Mugabe is a crook we came here with hope that he will explain to us how he will stop G40 and his wife from killing our party, but the next thing he tells us to be disciplined. It’s just rubbish we are back to zero.”
During the meeting Mutsvangwa who was expected to sit on the high table and also to address the ex-combatants was made to sit with other ordinary members.
Heavily armed police officers were also deployed at the meeting venue and there was thorough searching of all delegates at the entrance by the state spy agency.
Several journalists especially those from private media were initial barred from the meeting and only allowed in towards the end.
Among the war veterans demands which were presented by members of the thematic committees at the beginning of the meeting was banning of Zanu PF slogans and songs praising anybody other than Mugabe.
The war veterans meeting comes as the Zanu PF youths aligned to G40 are planning a “One Million March” against the war veterans.
Respected political commentator Dr Alex Magaisa said “If you are expecting something useful to emerge from this mass rally, then book a session with the psychiatric unit. The majority of these war vets are a selfish bunch that don’t give a hoot about you or the nation. They are looking after they own specific interests.
“They are making demands and more demands – on top of what they have already got before. They have an inflated sense of entitlement, just like their leaders. They behave as if they fought the war in a vacuum. No regard or acknowledgement whatsoever of the sacrifices that were made by ordinary people in the villages, most of whom bore the brunt of the ugly war. Always seeking a loyal constituency their boss will concede.
“The fact that the country is already on its knees won’t matter – the ordinary people will just be sacrificed to give sweeteners to this bunch. They will sing songs, chant slogans and go home. But they will be back again in a few years time, demanding more after the latest gift pack is exhausted. If I’m wrong, I will eat my shoe!”
