via ‘Mugabe has alienated, abused, dumped war veterans’ – NewsDay Zimbabwe April 6, 2016
The Zimbabwe Liberators’ Platform (ZLP) yesterday accused President Robert Mugabe of abusing former freedom fighters, alienating them from other citizens, abusing and dumping them to save his political interests and running down the country’s economy.
by Everson Mushava
ZLP secretary-general Wilson Nharingo said Mugabe had eroded the liberation war values and the country was virtually under siege from Zanu PF forces of destruction.
“Mugabe has fought hard to cut the former freedom fighters from the people so that he could use and dump them when they had served his purpose,” he said.
“In spite of the considerable harm to many individuals and the damage that has been done to the image of former freedom fighters, it is gratifying that these liberators are now beginning to reconnect with the people and refocus on the original ideals of the liberation struggle; namely, freedom, democracy, social justice, peace and respect for human dignity in order to restore their reputation soiled by Zanu PF.
“ZLP calls upon all former freedom fighters to unite and connect with the ordinary citizens of Zimbabwe, our natural home as it was during the struggle for independence.”
War veterans, who have been caught up in Zanu PF factional fights that have also sucked in the army, police, Central Intelligence Organisation and government ministries, will meet Mugabe tomorrow after months of haggling, in which the former fighters have been struggling to assert their influence in the party.
The veteran leader, however, has said he would not be forced to back down to the demands of a “mere affiliate body” to his party.
Nharingo said Zanu PF infighting, symptomatic of the leadership crisis haunting the party, spelt disaster, not only for the country, but the region as a whole.
War veterans, Nharingo said, should capitalise on the chaos in Zanu PF to reconnect with the people who have also been victims of Zanu PF factional infighting-induced misgovernance.
“The hopes and aspirations the nation had placed on Zanu PF in 1980 have been betrayed. Rather than apologising to the nation for poor governance and the destruction of people’s lives, Zanu PF is torn apart in wrangles for power,” the ZLP secretary-general said.
“Zimbabwe is bleeding and the country is crying out for help and leadership. Evidence of government failure is seen at every level. The economy collapsed, thanks to the populist, corrupt and bankrupt policies of Zanu PF.”
COMMENTS
Someone needs to make it clear to this idiot HIGHFIELD West MP Psychology Maziwisa (Zanu PF) from the so called G40 Faction. That if it was not for those so called uneducated War Vets. Your disrespectful young Ass would not have an education today as the white people didn’t want you to have. You have this education not because of what your President did, but only because of what War Vets did to give their lives for you disrespectful young ungrateful ass. Your President never fought a day in any battle for liberation of this country. He was not even a soldier. His claim he spent 10 years in prison while those War Vets men and women shed their blood for the liberation of Zimbabwe. These are the facts. How many times have your President met with his liberators over the past 36 years to help these hero’s. This will be only the second time in 36 years. They get nothing from this government as they suffer through this life of freedom that they gave this country. While you’re President appoints Ministers in key positions and loot the country and live lavish life styles. While those, as you say uneducated Vets suffer and die in poverty. Your President should be on his hands and knees. As he owes his position to these vets. And the only reason that the G40 kisses the President Ass is to stay in good grace with him as those who seek higher positions so they can live lavish life styles so the people of this country can go on and continue suffering. How do you open your mouth and disrespect an Elder for any reason. You fight for the respect of your President. But your President has never fought for those freedom fighters that made that position he stands in possible for him. While Bob worships the God of his oppressors and has turned his back on his own ancestors. This is why this country is screwed up. A leader that teaches his people to worship a white man’s God. Really? Can a Slave and a Slave Master worship the same God? He hates white people so much, but he and his wife teaches the people to now down to your enemies God. This is why this country continues to suffer. It is said God created man in his own image. So why do you not have the image of God in your image as a black person. But in this country you have the image of a white man as your God? And you wonder why this country and our people worldwide still are suffering. You should always remember yesterday. As it will be the only road for you today and have a future for your children tomorrow. Loyalty to only an individual only creates an idol. Loyalty to your people and culture gets you the blessing of the Ancestors. Use some of that education that others died for you to get. And start showing respect to all your Elders. Because in the end. Those are the only Gods that will save you. In the real world, in this environment, Zimbabweans have been taught to Idol worship. The facts are there should be no one person that is reflective of a Master over the people of Zimbabwe. If the President continues with the 36 year old speech of he alone will not let Zimbabwe fall back in colonial hands, that is a great sentiment for the people. But at the same time the country has fallen in it’s own self inflicted cycle of Colonial Politics. The very thing that made this country suffer for over 100 years is the very thing that is still making this country suffer today. Only thing different now is it has a black face on it. People are taught here that if you disagree with the government or lack of leadership you are somehow being disloyal to the status quo. This is suppose to be a Democracy as to what the President has convinced the people of. But he is still the rule of law, that’s the only word is his word alone. So what is the purpose of a free vote? But in the end, nature will correct this problem, history proves this much. Look at the rest of the world. Time is running out for those who worship a Idol. And not your Ancestors. And the Ancestors will all ways be the last word. You can make paper Hero’s in death. But it is the surviving Hero’s that will face the Idol in the eyes and look into his soul, and the truth will pour out.
The good thing about time is. None of us humans on the realm can control it.
Yes the vets are only pawns in a struggle and Bob knows that ,he is not stupid. A sleepy head maybe . Bob has created hatred and idol worship and like all dictators has forcibly unleashed his vitriol onto the people and young ones. The parents are too scared to condemn Bob or they may be reported by their own kith and kin. The young ones simply have lost respect for the elders and that is largely Bobs doing. The vets see this and are trying to stop the demise of society plus other issues and if Bob doesnot listen to them ,then we know as we already know, we are doomed.