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NewsDay

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‘Mugabe has alienated, abused, dumped war veterans’

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The Zimbabwe Liberators’ Platform (ZLP) yesterday accused President Robert Mugabe of abusing former freedom fighters, alienating them from other citizens, abusing and dumping them to save his political interests and running down the country’s economy.

The Zimbabwe Liberators’ Platform (ZLP) yesterday accused President Robert Mugabe of abusing former freedom fighters, alienating them from other citizens, abusing and dumping them to save his political interests and running down the country’s economy.

by Everson Mushava

War-Vets-2 ZLP secretary-general Wilson Nharingo said Mugabe had eroded the liberation war values and the country was virtually under siege from Zanu PF forces of destruction.

“Mugabe has fought hard to cut the former freedom fighters from the people so that he could use and dump them when they had served his purpose,” he said.

“In spite of the considerable harm to many individuals and the damage that has been done to the image of former freedom fighters, it is gratifying that these liberators are now beginning to reconnect with the people and refocus on the original ideals of the liberation struggle; namely, freedom, democracy, social justice, peace and respect for human dignity in order to restore their reputation soiled by Zanu PF.

“ZLP calls upon all former freedom fighters to unite and connect with the ordinary citizens of Zimbabwe, our natural home as it was during the struggle for independence.”

War veterans, who have been caught up in Zanu PF factional fights that have also sucked in the army, police, Central Intelligence Organisation and government ministries, will meet Mugabe tomorrow after months of haggling, in which the former fighters have been struggling to assert their influence in the party.

The veteran leader, however, has said he would not be forced to back down to the demands of a “mere affiliate body” to his party.

Nharingo said Zanu PF infighting, symptomatic of the leadership crisis haunting the party, spelt disaster, not only for the country, but the region as a whole.

War veterans, Nharingo said, should capitalise on the chaos in Zanu PF to reconnect with the people who have also been victims of Zanu PF factional infighting-induced misgovernance.

“The hopes and aspirations the nation had placed on Zanu PF in 1980 have been betrayed. Rather than apologising to the nation for poor governance and the destruction of people’s lives, Zanu PF is torn apart in wrangles for power,” the ZLP secretary-general said.

“Zimbabwe is bleeding and the country is crying out for help and leadership. Evidence of government failure is seen at every level. The economy collapsed, thanks to the populist, corrupt and bankrupt policies of Zanu PF.”