A CONGRESS organised by Zanu PF for the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA) ahead of the party's 21st National People's Conference has sparked tensions among former liberation fighters, exposing divisions within the organisation, the Zimbabwe Independent has learned.
War veterans, who spoke to the Independent, said there was growing concern that Zanu PF was trying to stifle the influence of the powerful war veterans organisation by pushing the former freedom fighters into a new affiliate structure.
This, they said would weaken the ZNLWVA’s capacity to advocate for veterans' welfare.
There were also fears that the ruling party wanted to exert greater control over the ZNLWVA, which is registered as a private voluntary organisation (PVO), established to advance the interests of war veterans.
In an interview this week, Andreas Mathibela, a leader of a faction in the ZNLWVA, said according to their constitution, the association was apolitical.
“We are constitutionalists. Now, for those that took interest under the pretext that they are an appendage of a political party, they are breaking the constitution,” he said.
“So, we are not part of it. If they are going to pretend like they know the constitution, they are on their own. But Zanu PF is targeting the association, which has more members than the league.
“So, no wonder why come the 12th of October, they decided to hastily assemble what they call an elective congress, which they then handpicked one so-called (Cephas) Ncube, and do not also forget that Cephas Ncube and the Mutsvangwas and all, they are from the league. So, they are merely trying to usurp the powers from the association.”
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Mathibela argued that the ZNLWVA's priority should remain veterans' welfare, not political manoeuvres, underscoring that the association would stay outside the newly formed league.
“I know just because the party and government have all the resources, but morally, it Is just bankrupt,” he said.
“We are supposed to leave a PVO to do our own business without any interference. We allowed that for those that are willing to join the party through the Veterans League, they can do so.”
The ruling party’s handling of the war veterans' issues has sparked criticism, with Mathibela accusing the government of neglect and announcing that the association would not engage in Zanu PF's internal succession debate.
“Because now, this time around, we want a leader who is going to guarantee us or who is going to give us hope. If we have someone who had hoped that he or she was going to look after us and they do not, then we better look for an alternative,” he said.
He also backed President Mnangagwa’s recent assertion that he would not seek a term extension beyond 2028.
“He had clearly said he is no longer interested. He wants to go and rest. We are saying, the president has said that they must not push their luck because there are only a mere minority who are advocating for the 2030 mantra,” Mathibela said.
“In essence, it is not going to benefit the generality of the people, let alone the war veterans. So, why should we advocate for 2030? So, in summary, we are not in support of that nonsense.”
However, War Veterans’ League secretary-general Samuel Parirenyatwa dismissed Mathibela’s statements, accusing him of misrepresenting the association to create the appearance of division.
“Our association is intact. We are also not doing Zanu PF activities but, naturally, as war veterans, we cannot disassociate ourselves from the party. We have a strong political background as war veterans, those who fought. There is a difference between an ordinary PVO and us,” he explained.
Parirenyatwa confirmed that some members participate in both the association and the league but noted the distinction between the two entities
“But there is a difference between the two because the league is more political while the other one is more concerned with the welfare of the war veterans,” he said.
Parirenyatwa said the war veterans would not let the creation of the league neutralise their powerful voices.
“That is a non-starter and the agenda would not see the light of day,” he said.
