Mutsvangwa: I never got a cent as vets min – NewZimbabwe 22/03/2016
AXED war veterans minister, Christopher Mutsvangwa, says he never received a cent from the treasury to carry out his duties since he assumed office, adding he paid for his own expenses.
Mutsvangwa reiterated that he was never desperate to be President Robert Mugabe’s minister, saying all he wanted was to use that position to uplift the welfare of fellow war veterans.
The outspoken Mutsvangwa was appointed War Veterans minister last year only to be booted out early this month for gross misconduct.
He is on record as saying the one year he was minister was the most unproductive period of his life and he has no regrets being kicked out.
“There was no budget for the ministry (War Vets) and I did not receive even a cent,” Mutsvangwa said at a war veterans meeting at Gweru Sports Club on Sunday.
“I was paying for my own expenses but I accepted the offer as minister not for financial gain but to use my international business connections to uplift the lives of war veterans.”
He said most liberation fighters were leading miserable lives despite contributing towards the country’s independence.
Mutsvangwa who was also ousted as war veterans chairman but still commands the support of majority war fighters-who have since rejected his dismissal as null and void- said Mugabe was surrounded by agents of regime change agenda in the likes of higher education minister, Jonathan Moyo, and other Generation 40 (G40) members.
“It is unfortunate that the president is surrounded by regime change agents in the likes of Jonathan Moyo and Kasukuwere (Saviour) among others,” he said.
G40 is faction linked to first lady Grace Mugabe, which is fighting against Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa ascendancy to the presidency.
The Sunday meeting also passed votes of no confidence on eight party members for allegedly destroying Zanu PF from within.
These include Jonathan Moyo, Kasukuwere, Sarah Mahoka, Eunice Sandi Moyo, Patrick Zhuwao, Shadreck Mashayamombe and Kudzai Chipanga.
COMMENTS
It is not what your country can do for you but what you can do for the country. after about 40 years of independence. everyone should have an equal share in benefiting from independence. How long do the veterans want to milk the state for personal gain. They should be able to stand on their own feet just like the rest of us. Just because they went to fight does not mean they are owed by the country for life. There are civilians who contributed to the fight against Smith but are not being paid anything. Come on veterans it’s about time you stand on your own feet.