The Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans’ Association
(ZNLWVA) yesterday upped its attack against President Robert Mugabe saying the
93-year-old ruler had done nothing special to deserve another chance to lead
the country.
Zimbabwe hold elections next year and Zanu PF has already
endorsed Mugabe as its presidential candidate.
Relations between Mugabe and the former freedom fighters
have been frosty over the Zanu PF succession matter where the veteran ruler
always takes every opportunity of big crowds to insult war veteran leaders.
In an in interview yesterday, war veterans’ spokesperson
Douglas Mahiya said Mugabe had inflicted enough pain on the people and must be
voted out.
Although he said people should retain their right to vote a
leader of their choice, Mahiya emphasised the need for change.
“It is best without him. He has done his part. He has had
an opportunity to lead this nation and if he wanted to do things he would have
done it in the past 37 years. He is not going to get another 37 years.
Opportunity must be given to other people to lead this nation so as to bring
economic prosperity,” Mahiya said.
“War veterans would want to see people choosing a
leadership that will satisfy their interests and ensure the economy is being
handled well and people have jobs and food security.
“Change must be there, war veterans want to see change
rather than what we see today. We want change, this is not peace.”
Mahiya said people should choose their next leader without
undue influence. He said the same spirit that drove people to fight the
oppressive white regime must be the same to push Mugabe out.
The ZNLWVA spokesperson said their role as former freedom
fighters was to teach political consciousness so that people would not be
hoodwinked in any way.
Mahiya said Mugabe’s regime had deviated from what it
fought for during the liberation war.
“When we finally won we wanted to use that political power
to come up with policies that would protect those interests and today the
people who were at the forefront of the political endeavours of people of
Zimbabwe to be liberated are the same people who are oppressing and looting
resources,” he said.
Mahiya urged people to desist from violence as the country
heads for elections. newsday
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