In the face of mounting pressure and rejection by former freedom fighters, President Robert Mugabe has summoned a faction of war veterans to Harare and roped in the Zanu PF youth league, in a bid to shore up numbers.
Mugabe is today expected to address a gathering fronted by a splinter group of the ex-combatants headed by Manicaland Provincial Affairs minister Mandiitawepi Chimene and Bulawayo war veteran George Mlala, among others at the Zanu PF headquarters.
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15:18 We know how to deal with our enemies who have tried to bring regime change 15:17 Once you begin to interfer with politics you are courting trouble 15:17 Keep to your religious side…Zanu will not tolerate any nonsense 15:16 I am warning Mawarire…”Bhaibheri mapedza here” 15:15 Mugabe attacks #ThisFlag Pastor Evan Mawarire…siyai zveparty kwatiri 15:10 Allegations…some true some falls…but we will continue to be united at the top 15:09 We know accusations will be made but Zanu PF knows how to settle its contradictions 15:08 We shall remain united at the top 15:08 Am glad so far we have maintained that unity of the party 15:07 lets keep together so that people have total confidence in us 15:06 It is our duty to denounce these together 15:05 We dont want to be divided 15:05 Urges Mnangagwa to speak out as well 15:05 Leaders must also speak out 15:05 lets seek the truth 15:04 Bob defends Mnangagwa ….enemies want to divide us
14:55 During the war we had rebels and were punished….”vamwe takavacherera pasi tichivaranga” some rebels were buried down as a form of punishment. 14:54 We asked leaders in Zanu PF to investigate authorship of communique 14:52 War vets should have a new congress 14:52 War vets communique can’t destroy the Party…Mugabe
14:40 President Mugabe takes to the podium.
14:20 Crocodiles must stay in rivers not with people says Chimene. 14:18 Says Zanu PF needs culling 14:17 He is riding on war vets for personal benfit 14:17 Let’s go to congress and we will help u fire them 14:17 Mandi says fire Mnangagwa 14:16 You hire people so fire them 14:16 Addresses issues of splinter says Mutsvangwa was fired. 14:15 Chimene calls for congress if Mugabe fails to fire other ‘presidents’ 14:15 Chimene says there are tired of being intimidated 14:15 Let’s go to congress and see who wins 14:14 He is challenged to disown people elevating him 14:13 Attacks Mnangagwa for keeping queit 14:13 Smiling in the face of attack…Mnangagwa looks unfazed.
14:20
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There was Tsholotsho camp its leader was Mnangagwa and now Lacoste is led by Mnangagwa –Chimene
14:11 They call me G40 14:11 But does not know leader of G40 14:11 Says we know the leader of Lacoste 14:10 Mandi Chimene takes to the podium….There is lacoste and we know its leader Only seven provinces represented.
Mnangagwa is occupying a seat close to Mugabe while Mpoko is close to Grace.
13:25 We are here not as an association but we came as former freedom fighters
13:20 George Mlala announces program will begin soon.
13:14 Mgagao did not elect our leader 13:14 He was elected by the people 13:14 We thank you for what you did 13:15 You were part of a national program but the owners of the struggle were at home. 13:16 Those that think 36 yrs is too long go hand 13:17 So all of you have been in gvt retire as well 13:17 Mugabe was elected first black Prime Minister 13:17 He formed a gvt with all of you 13:19 Its surprising that some people claiming to be war veterans now want to tell us that 14 million people made a mistake 13:20 Mgagao was a simple camp. One of the camps which had no mandate to take a decision on behalf of other camps 13:20 If you did it, the people of Zimbabwe changed that in 1980
In what shows how much the Zanu PF government priorities power over the economy, all signs show that a lot has been invested into this meeting.
The meeting, which comes hard on the heels of a recently issued communique where war veterans dumped Mugabe, is happening at a time when the country’s economy is imploding amid indications the Zanu PF government, which is embroiled in intense Mugabe succession fights, appears not keen to solve the economic crisis.
The contrast of the haves and have nots is so apparent. Those being bussed hardly have decent shoes and clothes, while the affluent top officials are arriving in the latest SUVs and sedans, and are dressed in designer wear.
UPDATES & IMAGES BY ELIAS MAMBO/ BLESSED MHLANGA/RICHARD CHIDZA EDITING BY TAPIWA ZIVIRA AND TINOTENDA SAMUKANGE
