THERE is no vacancy in the Presidium and elements covertly
jostling for the top positions must stand guided, Defence and War Veterans
Affairs Minister who is also Zanu-PF chairperson, Cde Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri,
has said.
She made the remarks yesterday while addressing the
Manicaland War Veterans inter-district conference at Bezel Bridge in
Zimunya-Marange.
Cde Muchinguri-Kashiri said the era of the old dispensation
which was characterised by divisions, slandering of war veterans, senior
Government officials and unbridled ambition for the Presidency, was over.
“For 37 years we were in the old dispensation and you know
how it ended. Some elements in the old dispensation had captured the State and
we were being insulted and slandered. War veterans were mistreated and abused
publicly but we united with our security sectors and embarked on Operation
Restore Legacy and in the process restored our dignity that had been stolen,”
said Cde Muchinguri-Kashiri.
She said history was repeating itself with some elements
angling for the Vice Presidency and the Presidency as if the positions were
vacant.
“We still have ambitious individuals that are angling for
posts in the Presidium. Be warned. It is not that easy. We should lead by
example as war veterans and check the direction that the nation is taking,”
said Cde Muchinguri-Kashiri.
She called for selflessness. “We must not think about ourselves but the majority of
Zimbabweans. Some people want the Presidency. There is no vacancy, there is no
vacancy, there is no vacancy. Make sure you are playing your role where you are.
We do not want divisions,” said Cde Muchinguri-Kashiri.
She said President Mnangagwa was preaching unity all the
time.
“The President is saying unity, unity, unity, less
politics. Let us build the future of our children. Let us build our country.
This is what the President is saying,” said Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri.
“We do not want people that push us from the way we are
being shown by President Mnangagwa. During Operation Restore Legacy, it’s you
war veterans that stood strong and also went for the march to restore the
legacy we had lost. New dispensation has restored our dignity as war veterans.”
Cde Muchinguri-Kashiri said President Mnangagwa remembers
the journey he walked with war veterans and ex-detainees and will not forget
them.
Government, she said, was working on ensuring issues to do
with the welfare of war veterans and affiliate organisations were addressed.
“You deserve better,” said Cde Muchinguri-Kashiri. She said the national Constitution recognises the role
played by war veterans and dignifies them yet some people were looking down
upon them.
Cde Muchinguri-Kashiri said respect for war veterans must
start in the party.
“You sacrificed for everybody. Some people forget the past
because they are now comfortable. Some even refuse to carry war veterans in
party vehicles they now drive. I just want you to understand that small things
like that add up to give war veterans dignity. Charity begins at home, in the
party,” she said. Herald
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