via War veterans’ congress begins today | The Herald November 15, 2014
THE war veterans congress to elect a new leadership kicks off at Great Zimbabwe Hotel in Masvingo today, with one of the front runners to lead the body, Cde Joseph Chinotimba, welcoming the expulsion of former leader Cde Jabulani Sibanda from the party.
War veterans will elect new leaders at their two-day congress that ends on Sunday, with seven posts in the association’s executive up for grabs. The congress is being held at the behest of President Mugabe, who as patron of the ex-freedom fighters advised them to elect a new leadership before the Zanu-PF National People’s Congress early next month.
The decision to expel Cde Sibanda from Zanu-PF was taken by the Politburo on Thursday. Cde Chinotimba said preparations for the congress had gone on well with the stage set for the event today.
He is said to be one of the front-runners to replace Cde Sibanda, but was evasive when asked if he had any interest.
“We are expecting around 1 000 delegates to attend the two-day congress, but I do not know the names of candidates who are vying for the chairmanship,” said Cde Chinotimba.
“The congress is for freedom fighters and every freedom fighter can stand up and throw his name in the ring, it is allowed.
“Whether I am contesting or not I am not sure, I can say I will contest today and change my mind, just come and see for yourself who will be fighting it out for the top post.’’
Cde Chinotimba said those interested would contest for the positions of national chairperson, deputy national chairperson, secretary-general, treasurer, political commissar, secretary for finance and secretary for security.
“What is wrong if Chinos becomes chairman of war veterans? People should not worry about Chinos, after all I even won elections back home in Buhera South,’’ he said.
Delegates to the congress will be ferried by hired buses from Benjamin Burombo Government complex in the city centre to Great Zimbabwe, about 20 kilometres away, starting at 8am.
COMMENTS
A war veteran has become not someone who fought against oppression and injustice, but one who fought as a mercenary to bring Mugabe to power and protect him in power at any cost, including a crumbled economy. A war veteran sees no wrong in the suffering of the masses under Mugabe’s administration. So we who fought against a system of injustice and oppression are today enemies of a morally bankrupt mafia party, that in past labelled us dissident while it was systematically killing us in ZNA camps at Conemara, Karoi, Nyanga etc.
This ZNLWVA is nothing but a bunch of idiots that have forgotten who sheltered, fed and assisted in inflicting heavy casualities on the enemy. They have turned into a pro Mugabe mercenary group and whatever statements they give are not shared by those who suffered together with masses.
Hey Jabu. You are expendable comrade. You all are.