MEMBERS of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans’
Association (ZNLWVA) have cried foul over their alleged marginalisation by
President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration.
ZNLWVA spokesperson Douglas Mahiya told NewsDay yesterday
that the former fighters were not happy that after bearing the brunt of former
President Robert Mugabe’s regime last rites, Mnangagwa seemed to have forgotten
about them hardly seven months into office.
Mahiya said the war veterans had expected better from
Mnangagwa, whom they defended with their skin, as Mugabe’s hangers-on bayed for
their blood.
“The ZNLWVA has noted with serious concern that hardly less
than six months, the nation has forgotten the brave and unwavering battles
against Mugabe and his wife (former First Lady) Grace’s [Mugabe] endeavour and
restless desire to establish a dynasty,” he said.
“When everyone went underground, wore iron clothes in
defence of self, the majority went to hide in deep trenches as Mugabe and G40
rapidly fired at anyone whom he labelled Lacoste. Others feared the mad dogs of
the Mugabe regime and decided to bootlick the corrupt, cruel and
money-mongering counter-revolutionaries that the former president and those of
his inner circle had become.”
Led by Mnangagwa’s chief adviser Christopher Mutsvangwa,
the former fighters fought the Zanu PF faction known as G40, reportedly
Mugabe’s brainchild.
ZNLWVA leading figures were arrested and charged, kicked
out of Zanu PF, but shot back by publicly declaring their allegiance to
Mnangagwa, then Vice-President of the country, before he was sacked in early
November.
The sacking triggered a chain of events that culminated in
the military intervention that forced Mugabe’s dramatic resignation after
thousands of people rallied across the country led by the war veterans
demanding he goes.
“The show is being stolen away from the war veterans, the
newspaper reportage excludes the revolutionary spirit the war freedom fighters
demonstrated to keep the revolutionary fire burning, on course and firm,
although not much has yet come their way. Those who were idling, bootlicking,
hiding in trenches got promoted at the expense of the war veterans and the
masses,” Mahiya said.
“Those who were staunch supporters of G40 are now starting
to congregate around the political leadership and the President, this way not
much change will be realised. Political cheating, lip service to both
government and the party (Zanu PF), those with political eyes can recognise the
ugly face of the former. I pray to God for new mandate of government. War
veterans are waiting eagerly and expecting real change politically,
economically and
socially.”
The war veterans’ spokesperson said Zanu PF had been
“invaded by unprogressive forces. The evil nature of these forces must continue
to be unmasked”. Newsday
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