Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans’ Association (ZNLWVA) chairman Christopher Mutsvangwa yesterday condemned the arrest of two members of his executive inside 48 hours as government intensified its crackdown on suspected authors of last week’s damning communiqué calling on President Robert Mugabe to step down.
BY RICHARD CHIDZA
Source: Mutsvangwa fumes over war vets arrests – NewsDay Zimbabwe July 29, 2016
ZNLWVA secretary-general Victor Matemadanda was reportedly picked up in Gokwe yesterday as police were frantically battling to have the association’s spokesperson Douglas Mahiya charged with seeking to subvert a constitutionally-elected government and insulting Mugabe.
Mahiya is set to appear in court today, while Matemadanda’s whereabouts could not be readily established last night. His mobile phone continuously went unanswered, while police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba could not be reached for comment as she was said to be in a meeting.
“I condemn the arrest of my executive members. This comes in the wake of a mob justice -type rally addressed by HE (His Excellency) President Mugabe yesterday (Wednesday),” Mutsvangwa said.
He called on Mugabe to stop the persecution.
“I call upon the President, as Head of State, to arrest forthwith the police action and the persecution of my comrades. As a fellow revolutionary and renowned statesman, why is he allowing such treatment of comrades who as young men sacrificed all they had including offering (their) only life so freedom could be attained?
“From that sacrifice, HE ended up being elected President in sovereign Zimbabwe. This high-handed over-reaction is surely uncalled for. Surely an announced withdrawal of political support by my executive colleagues, no matter how wounding to historical pride, cannot be grounds for such over-reaction.”
Mahiya’s lawyer, Harrison Nkomo, said the State was shifting goalposts as regards the charges against his client.
“We have been able to see Mahiya, but have no idea where Matemadanda is. It is difficult to tell the charges because they are constantly changing,” Nkomo said.
Liberation war hero and former Attorney-General Sobusa Gula-Ndebele said he was ready to offer legal assistance.
“I stand ready to help them. Only that I have not been briefed,” Gula-Ndebele told NewsDay.
COMMENTS
ZANU Poooff is just a bunch of imbeciles. Address the bread and butter issues affecting every Zimbabwean and allow everyone to enjoy the benefits of freedom. Oppression of a black man by a white man was bad but oppression of a black man by another black man is horrible and revolting. Mugabe and your lankies stop your madness because you are not the only ones who fought for liberation of Zimbabwe. Even so had you been the only ones did you fight to entrench hunger, suffering, unemployment, desperation among the masses and institutional corruption among your inner circle? Shame on you.
With all the troubles brewing at home, all Mugabe and his police stoogies is use the little govt resources to do witch hunt for people who are telling the truth…This has gone too far, the end in nigh. A word for these war vets – it’s not longer ago that you fought for freedom, then you went to bed with the devil Robert and you have caused so much suffering to the very citizens of zim that you freed – you gobbled 50k, invaded farms, killed to keep robert in power now that the tables have turned – you want sympathy – i say you deserve it – all the independence fight for nothing – all you did was give mathibili the indpendence to enslave the whole country. Leave us the youth to shape our own destiny, you did your part for nothing.
This is sly Gukuraundi master! Watch out! Where is Tongo!