War vets hold Biti hostage

Embattled Finance minister Tendai Biti yesterday fled over 100 marauding war veterans who had held him hostage at his offices in Harare for hours on end, baying for his blood over a litany of issues including civil servants’ salaries.

The ex-freedom fighters, who have positioned themselves as Zimbabwe’s pillars of economic and political emancipation, called for Biti to either listen to President Robert Mugabe or quit.

Chanting and gyrating in front of government offices, the prowling group blocked the main entrance to the building, declaring Biti would not leave the premises until their concerns were addressed.

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