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15:50Mugabe ends his address. We come to the end of the live updates
15:40“We have a bad culture of not servicing debts…thats bad…it should end…even my ministries have not mastered this…ministries borrow and do not pay back”
“…there is never a time when there will be no money..it is a matter of priorities. conditions of war veterans wil be a priority.”
Mugabe makes Finance Minister Patrick Chinamasa the scapegoat: “I urge the Finance minister to release the money when we tell thm to do so.”
Mugabe reveals that his private company, the Alpha& Omega Dairy, owes $40 million. Astonishing! If I'm correct, it was $20m two years ago
— Brezh Malaba (@BrezhMalaba) April 7, 2016
15:30
Mugabe continues to plough into the country’s liberation history while skirting the issues raised by war veterans… issues like the duties of the commissariat department in the party, regarding the mass suspensions.
Mugabe said “…people should not lie that have gone to Singapore for treatment. I won’t die vanyare…”
In reaffirming that he has no intention to leave office anytime soon despite his age and frailty, Mugabe calls on mmbers to avoid concentrating on succession and focus on building the economy.
“Many countries are willing to help us..the Chinese..India and Japan…they want to help but zvinwe vanoti bhadharaiwo”
15:20“If you were disciplned during the war, you should continue to do that after the war. You should respect your elders…”
36 years later they are still pursuing govt grants from a broke govt instead of a vibrant economy where everyone can prosper #MugabeWarvets
— Taz Musarurwa (@tazmus982) April 7, 2016
15:05
Mugabe still addressing…. “Our party used to have a strong ideology…war vets did not fight for financial gains..but independence,”he says.
14:55He promises land to war veterans..”there are still white farms that we can chase away…” “After realising there was a lot corrupt activities foing on in the allocation of land…all applications for land will now come to my office..”
What our readers are saying
I am waiting for that moment when they will call on Mugabe to retire as he dared them to do so last month. #MugabeWarvets
— Shoes Lambada (@shoeslambada) April 7, 2016
14:45
In a shocking revelation, Mugabe says, in the 2013 elections, he pleaded with army chiefs to reclaim electoral victory and assured them to retain their positions after the victory.
He says the military chiefs should have retired then, but because they worked so hard in the 2013 elections, they were kept in their positions.
“The war veterans’ demands will be looked at depending on what Finance minister (Patrick Chinamasa) will say. He, once again, blames sanctions and says things are easing up. This is despite the gloomy economic outlook that Zimbabwe is facing as companies shut down amid a deepening cash crisis.
“We are in a diffiult position due to sanctions..but things are easing up.”
The opposition parties have always accused Mugabe of manipulating the country’s electoral system by militarising it.
14:35Mugabe appears to duck the issues raised by the war veterans as he rattles on about political power dynamics in elections in Zimbabwe, focusing on the 2008 elections where he lost to Morgan Tsvangirai and accusing former Vice-President Joice Mujuru of de-campaigning him.
“Others were no longer happy, saying the country could not be kept captive by Mugabe… (like) Mavambo(/Dawn/Kusileparty leader Simba Makoni) … vana (Joice ) Mujuru formed Mavambo kuti vaone kushamwaridzana navarungu
14:25President Mugabe goes down the history lane, narrating the path of the liberation struggle. He then emphasises that war veterans need to unite.
“I have actually suggested to (Secretary for War Veterans in Zanu PF Sydney ) Sekeramayi that we will meet again in 2017.Zvichemo zvaiswa apa zvizvhinji zvisina kuzadziswa, you are pleading for help on your welfare… we were forced into a coalition with (Opposition MDC-T leader Morgan) Tsvangirai because of some of our leaders…we have to safeguard the values of the party”
@harumutasa pic.twitter.com/XCi2oHkHNA
— cyrus nhara (@cyrusnhara_4787) April 7, 2016
14:15
President Mugabe gets to the podium and gets ready to give his address.
“It was my idea to invite you..after realisimg the tiff between us since (time of the late Chenjerai) Hunzvi’s leadership to the present day leadership…. to meet so that I understand how you are living since liberation struggle up to this day”
13:45In a thinly veiled attack on Zanu PF National Political Commissar Saviour Kasukuwere, the committee on ideology said the party’s commissariat is to teach the party’s ideology, and not to fire or suspend members.
This comes as Kasukuwere has been behind a spat of suspensions and expulsions in the party.
alled for constructive criticism and suspension of members should be done according to party constition. the central.committee should have the final vedict
13:25Still on the ideology of Zanu PF…
War vets have requested representation in central committe and politburo “…politics and guns should co-exist even in America…party commissar is the commissar of the army”
The war veterans have requested annual meetings with the president to examine the party’s ideology, and the establishment of a war veterans wing in Zanu PF.
In a shocking recommendation, the war veterans have suggested the reintroduction of the national youth service from early childhood school.
“…any person taking a senior position in the party should be vetted and receive ideological lessons.”
13:25Thematic group on ideology continues with its report
“War veterans supported indigenisation, but most war veterans said have not benefited…they demanded transparency….and 20% quota in every indiginisation deal”
“There is no unity and loyalty in the party…this is weighing on patriotism….lack of ideology is now causing factionalism..this is threatening splittong of the party”
In what could be a reference to slogans that praise First Lady Grace Mugabe, the committee on ideology has recommended that ‘slogans should prop the name of party…president and not a living person who is not the president…slogans should first be approved by central committee like before”
Some of what our readers are saying on Twitter
The main agenda which the warvets should have pushed for was Mugabe's exit. He is the author of their problms #Mugabewarvets
— Blessing Vava (@blevava) April 7, 2016
13:17
Thematic group on ideology presents its report
“…the party is anchored on socialism…we looked at various things..our slogans, what we are doing as a party, politics the supremacy of politics over the gun, we also looked at educational ideology”
“War vets agreed that the party has done a lot to maitanin socialism but all efforts failing due to lack of money to support agriculture.”
13:00President Mugabe seen struggling to keep awake, briefly closing his eyes and dozing off as the thematic committee on the economy gives its report.
“Preference for appointment for strategic positions ..eg permanent secretaries..ambassadors…lands officers etc..should be given to former combatants not withstanding their academic qualifications since they were tried and tested during the struggle”
“War vets’ children shld be given preference to presidential scholarships… and war veterans should be given 30 % in disused mining claims.”
12:40Thematic committees are now presenting their reports. 1. Welfare committee The welfare committee reports highlights that government should expand services so that former combatants can access health care, education..fees for their children, scholarships, land, duty free vehicles, and residential stands
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2. Thematic Committee report on economy “Economic status of war vets does not reflect on their contribution to the liberation struggle… this is contrary to the provision of the constitution which requires the state to legalise the improvement of their economic welfare…they said their are entitled to a good pension, health care..which has not been done”
“We want preferential treatment as provided by the constitution….war vets should be exempted from paying tax on land, and inheritance of land by spouses of war vets should be enshrined in the constitution.”
The committee demands demands a stake from mineral produce…for a war vets revenue fund.
“Affirmative action shld be taken by state to help war vets who want to venture into business, as individuals or groups”
12:30War veterans ministers Tshinga Dube pleads for unity..says all revolutionary parties have managed to maintan unity among its combatants.
Says Tshinga Dube, “War veterans were grouped into five…the first group deliberated issues of war vets welfare. The second was on economy…to ensure that the economy is turned around for the good of the war vets. The third…party ideology and the fourth was in threats to the liberation. Fifth was on liberation heritage.”
He acknowleges Chiwenga, Chihuri, Zimondi, Valerio Sibanda, Shiri…members of high command.
Some of what our readers are saying on Twitter
@ZimPeopleFirst Why is Amai Mujuru and the rest of the elders of the party not at City Sports? Ndiwo ka Mar War Vets acho. #MugabeWarvets
— Gordon Petera (@edsnowdentruth) April 7, 2016
12:20
War veterans like Zapu leader Dumiso Dabengwa, Joice Mujuru and many others who have left Zanu PF are not present at the meeting in what can be viewed as a meeting of only those war veterans aligned to Zanu PF.
Not much fireworks are expected from this meeting as war veterans are going to give feedback on the thematic committees that met yesterday and President Mugabe will address before the meeting ends.
12:10:Accompanied by Vice Presidents Emmerson Mnangagwa and Phelekezela Mphoko, President Robert Mugabe walks in. The entourage includes Kembo Mohad, Ignatius Chombo, and Sydney Sekeramayi
Conspicuously absent is the First Lady Grace Mugabe who has previously stoked conflict after publicly chiding war veterans leader Christopher Mutsvangwa. Sitting on the front row with Mugabe is Oppah Muchinguri, Mohadi, Sekeramayi, Tshinga Dube, Mphoko and Chombo.
According to the programme, the meeting starts at 1:30 p.m.
So far thousands of the war veterans have gathered at the City Sports Centre and they are seated according to their provinces.
Mashonaland provinces bay look lively, playing to music from the police band..while Masvingo and Midlands and Bulawayo look tense.
Christopher Mutsvangwa is seated in the front row, not the the high table, with Victor Matematanda sitting close to him.
On the high table are the following, Simon Khaya Moyo, Simbarashe Mumbebgegwi, Webster Shamu, yes Webster Shamu, Marble Chinomona, and Cain Matema.
EVERSON MUSHAVA and RICHARD CHIDZA are the City Sports Centre giving us updates.
We will keep you updated as events take place
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BACKGROUND
PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe’s crunch meeting with war veterans today will centre on factionalism, endemic corruption within Zanu PF and government and the contentious succession issue. War veterans, who spoke on condition of anonymity yesterday, declared they were ready to face their patron in what is expected to be a no-holds-barred discussion, as Zanu PF faces implosion. Read more…
Stories related to today’s meeting
Mugabe misled: War vets ‘Mugabe has alienated, abused, dumped war veterans’ Mugabe roasts war veterans War vets: Mugabe meets his match Mugabe’s ‘love-hate’ relationship with war vets ‘War vets target Mugabe ouster’ War vets to blame for their predicament Pictures:Police descend on war vets
The build up to the conflict were various statements issued by top Zanu PF officials as war veterans became the centre of the factional fights that continue to disintegrate the ruling party.