A FACTION of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA) has defied a High Court order and held an elective congress that ushered in new leaders over the weekend.
At the congress held by the Christopher Mutsvangwa-led faction, the war veterans elected Cephas Ncube as their new chairperson, while Shoorai Nyamangodo would be his vice.
Sam Parirenyatwa was elected secretary general while Section Ncube will be the secretary for finance.
However, the election could be null and void as the High Court had ruled against the holding of the elective congress pending resolution on the factional fights.
High Court judge Justice Philda Muzofa had on October 7 ordered the three ZNLWVA factions to engage on how the matter must proceed to deal with the real issues” and “appear virtually before the court on October 21” this year.
The court said there were three factions represented by Elias Marashwa, Mutsvangwa and Edward Dube claiming legitimate leadership of the association.
In a statement yesterday, Dube said one faction had contravened a High Court order.
“Despite the clear Court Order directing the factions to engage in discussions and present an agreed position on October 21, one group went ahead to host a Congress in Gweru yesterday [Saturday],” Dube said.
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He said the parallel process may have violated provisions of the Private Voluntary Organisations (PVO) Act “through alleged heavy sponsorship and financial incentives” provided to influence the outcome.
“Our lawyers will be presenting these concerns to the Court next week, including investigating claims of sponsorship of the illegal gathering against the dictates of the PVO. If true, it indicates some are willing to sacrifice our hard-won legacy of liberation and constitutionality to serve narrow political interests,” Dube said.
Meanwhile, the war veteran’s league in the ruling Zanu PF has said land grabbing must stop across Zimbabwe.
The government recently issued a statement saying farmers who had benefited from the land reform programme would be given land tenure documents.
Addressing the war veterans’ Second National Assembly at the party headquarters in Harare last week, the league’s national secretary Douglas Mahiya said they crossed the country’s borders to fight so that the land in Zimbabwe will return to its rightful owners.
“If we are deprived of land, we are treated poorly and we are happy that the minister of lands is here and we want to tell you that snatching of war veteran’s land must stop. We have heard the president talking about giving land to us, he is also our chairman.
“We are tired of the issue that if a war vet dies the land is no longer theirs,” he said.
He called on the government to honour and respect them as required by the Constitution.
However, Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Resettlement minister Anxious Masuka said the war veterans have a 20% quota of land across the country.
Defence minister Oppah Muchinguri Kashiri said the veterans of the liberation struggle fought for the land, after recognising that it drives development.
“We are pleased to note the assurance from the Minister of Agriculture to protect the veterans of the liberation struggle.
“Similarly, we pray that assets donated to the veterans investment vehicles will be fully exploited so that we all benefit in our lifetime. The league should demand the relevant ministries to conclude on the outstanding issues,” she said.
