Mutsvangwa fuels divisions: War vets

via Mutsvangwa fuels divisions: War vets – Southern Eye 31 August 2015 by Nqobile Bhebhe

A GROUP of disgruntled war veterans from Bulawayo has accused War Veterans minister Christopher Mutsvangwa of fuelling divisions and imposing his alleged cronies into the provincial executive of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans’ Association.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, the war veterans vowed to shut down all association offices in the city in protest against Mutsvangwa’s alleged interference and imposition of his preferred executive members.

“We have had several war veterans’ leaders before, but we find Mutsvangwa as the most divisive leader ever,” a war veteran who declined to be named said.

“Here in Bulawayo, we had our differences as members and it is normal in any organisation, but ever since he (Mutsvangwa) became chair the divisions have widened. The chairman is secretly encouraging factionalism to the extent that we no longer trust each other. He is handpicking people to lead structures, a move which is against our constitution. Very soon, a serious fight will break out among the comrades. All offices from the district to provincial level will be shut down.”

Another war veteran who also spoke on condition of anonymity challenged Mutsvangwa to travel to Bulawayo “to personally to put out the fires he started.”

“As we have said, the operations of the association will be sabotaged and we demand that he should personally come to Bulawayo and put out the fires he started,” she said.

“How can the chairman impose leaders? Former chairman [Jabulani] Sibanda was a far better leader than the current one?”

Mutsvangwa, who is also national chairman of the association, has also clashed with war veterans from Manicaland Province over the same issue. He has not been reachable for comment since Saturday.