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War vets threaten to doorstep Mugabe over Mutsvangwa

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A GROUP of war veterans from Mashonaland West province has threatened to doorstep President Robert Mugabe to raise concern over the alleged imposition of provincial leaders by the association’s national chairman Christopher Mutsvangwa and secretary-general Victor Matemadanda.

A GROUP of war veterans from Mashonaland West province has threatened to doorstep President Robert Mugabe to raise concern over the alleged imposition of provincial leaders by the association’s national chairman Christopher Mutsvangwa and secretary-general Victor Matemadanda.

BY STAFF REPORTER

On August 8, the disgruntled freedom fighters petitioned Mutsvangwa, who is also War Veterans minister, raising a litany of allegations including lack of transparency in the election process. They claimed he did not respond to the issues they raised.

“We followed up on the letter and he [Mutsvangwa] dismissed us saying we were Gamatox (derogative term for former Vice President Joice Mujuru and her loyalists). We now want to see the President as our patron,” one of the war veterans, who declined to be named, said.

Part of the petition signed by 56 war veterans read: “Mysteriously, on August 8, the presiding officers failed to turn up at the venue, only for the presiding officers to inform us of the unilateral change of venue at 1055 hours in the morning when other districts were already at the venue.”

Some war veterans from Manicaland have also accused Mutsvangwa of imposing his cronies to lead war veterans’ provincial structures.

Mutsvangwa confirmed receiving the petition, but said it was unfortunate that elections were over.

“They are all war veterans. So they should just support each other. They all went to war, so I don’t see any differences that cannot be solved,” Mutsvangwa said.

“We can’t continue fighting as if we are fighting an opposition party. Those who are said to be Gamatox are war veterans as well, so I urge them to support the leadership that was elected. Elections will come and they will win next time. For now, they must support those who won.”