ZIMBABWE National Liberation War Veterans’ Association (ZNLWVA) secretary-general Victor Matemadanda yesterday threatened to release a recording of War Veterans ministry permanent secretary Walter Tapfumaneyi encouraging former combatants in Bulawayo to ditch the Christopher Mutsvangwa-led executive.
Source: Matemadanda threatens to ‘expose’ Tapfumaneyi – NewsDay Zimbabwe November 8, 2016
BY BLESSED MHLANGA
Matemadanda said Tafumaneyi was trying to persuade the former freedom fighters to dump Mutsvangwa as the former Norton MP was fired from Zanu PF.
“He (Tapfumaneyi) should not try to act clever, he was recorded in the Bulawayo meeting telling war veterans that he had been sent by President (Robert) Mugabe to ensure that we are hounded out of the association,” Matemadanda said.
“We don’t know why he is abusing his position as a civil servant to meddle in political matters when his salary is paid by ordinary taxpayers, who are not Zanu PF; we have a recording and we will make it public if he insists on trying to be clever.”
Tapfumaneyi and War Veterans minister Tshinga Dube are currently on a nationwide tour meeting the former fighters to, according to the minister, gather information on the welfare needs of the ex-combatants.
The meetings, however, were being conducted in the absence of the Mutsvangwa-led executive, Matemadanda claimed.
On Sunday, Mutsvangwa accused Mugabe of releasing $3 million to Tapfumaneyi to topple his executive, threatening to take his former ally to court.
Tapfumaneyi has, however, insisted his hands were clean, saying he was only meeting the war veterans to discuss policy issues.
“A completely unfounded and misdirected attack from someone I respect very much,” he said.
“The ministry is holding outreach meetings for all war veterans, not Mutsvangwa’s or (Manicaland Provincial Affairs minister (Mandi) Chimene’s association. As war veterans, members of the association are also attending the meetings of their own volition.
“This is a national programme which has nothing to do with Mutsvangwa’s or any other individual’s narrow ego.
“To be frank with you, until I saw his rant in (yesterday’s NewsDay), I didn’t even consider Mutsvangwa as a factor in what we are doing.
“I have no quarrel with him. I have nothing personal against him and I have not picked a quarrel with him or any group of war veterans.
“I am not responsible for Mutsvangwa’s misfortune with Zanu PF. This may be the wrong timing perhaps for me to advise him to, please, carry his own cross.”
Matemadanda accused Tapfumaneyi of pursuing an agenda funded by the G40 faction in Zanu PF, in an attempt to drive a wedge between Mugabe and Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who enjoys support from the Mutsvangwa-led executive.
He claimed the nationwide meetings were aimed at toppling Mutsvangwa.
Dube confirmed the weekend meetings with war veterans, adding he would soon meet ZNLWVA members in Manicaland and later Harare to discuss welfare issues affecting their wellbeing.
“We just had a meeting with comrades from Masvingo and Midlands after a successful meeting in Bulawayo with the war veterans. We are moving to address the issues affecting the welfare of the war veterans in line with the recommendations of the indaba, which was addressed by President Robert Mugabe,” he said.
Dube denied that his ministry was being used to topple the ZNLWA executive, saying he respected Mutsvangwa’s leadership.
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