We’re still in charge — Matemadanda

via We’re still in charge — Matemadanda | The Herald February 15, 2016

The Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA) yesterday dismissed as circus the move by a faction of war veterans led by Manicaland Provincial Minister of State Cde Mandi Chimene that they had set an interim committee to run the affairs of the association. This was after the Mandi Chimene-led faction announced an interim executive after the ‘‘suspension’’ of the Cde Chris Mutsvangwa-led executive. At a Press conference yesterday, the association’s legal affairs secretary Cde Makambe Thomas Mashoko said Cde Chimene would lead the interim executive as acting chairperson.

According to Cde Mashoko, Cde Chimene would be deputised by Cde George Mlala while Cde Michael Mpofu would be the acting secretary-general until the next election. However, Cde Victor Matemadanda immediately dismissed the new appointments as a circus.

He said the Mutsvangwa-led executive was still in charge. “In our constitution, there are no provisions for a vote of no confidence,” he said.

“What they are doing is rubbish. They are not part of the executive because they were fired in their provinces. They want to form a splinter group. How can they replace us when they are not in the executive? Their purported vote of no confidence is null and void and just a circus because they are being paid to do that,” he said.

Added Cde Matemadanda: “Mandi Chimene has failed in her life. She cannot win an election. She gets her positions whether in the party or Government by co-option or conscription.

“Munhu anongokambira nyembe asi haana chaanoziva.” He said the Cde Mutsvangwa leadership was still in charge. “We are still in the leadership. You do not decide to be a leader — you are elected. Tikaunganidza vanhu apa Mandi akawana vanhu 100 ndinobvisa mbudzi yangu.”

The interim executive wants to replace chairman Cde Mutsvangwa, vice-chairman Cde Headman Moyo and secretary-general Cde Matemadanda — who were reportedly ousted last Friday following a vote of no confidence passed on them. They were kicked out together with Cde Mutsvangwa’s wife, Monica for alleged insubordination, mismanagement among other charges.

Cde Mlala said the task ahead of them was to ensure that the freedom fighters restore their lost pride and focus on uplifting the standard of war veterans. “What we are trying to do from now on is that we need to identify ourselves that we are war veterans,” said Cde Mlala.

“We are not leaders of the party but a military wing of the party. We are therefore expected to go back to our ethics, take orders from the party and work with the party.”