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Mutsvangwa challenges Moyo to public debate

Politics
WAR veterans have challenged Higher Education minister Jonathan Moyo to a public debate over a number of issues, chief among them the acrimonious Zanu PF succession issue and runaway corruption by government officials.

WAR veterans have challenged Higher Education minister Jonathan Moyo to a public debate over a number of issues, chief among them the acrimonious Zanu PF succession issue and runaway corruption by government officials.

BY XOLISANI NCUBE

WAR veterans’ national chairman Christopher Mutsvangwa
WAR veterans’ national chairman Christopher Mutsvangwa

Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans’ Association spokesperson, Douglas Mahiya, told a Press briefing yesterday that Moyo should accept a public debate with the former freedom fighters’ chairperson, Christopher Mutsvangwa.

Moyo, a leading light in the G40 faction said to be fighting hard to stop Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s bid to take over from the ailing President Robert Mugabe, has accused war veterans of pushing a factional agenda and trying to prop up the VP.

“After that debate, he will never talk about the succession issue again. We want him here so that our chairman can tell him the truth,” he said.

The war veterans claimed Moyo last year tried to influence change in the defence forces.

“This is a man, who last year, tried to get army commanders fired and failed. There is nothing that is good from him,” Mahiya said without elaborating.

“We want to talk about this corruption that is in full swing in government. We want to talk about this Zimdef (Zimbabwe Manpower Development Fund) issue and all cases of corruption. We are appealing to the State broadcaster, ZBC, to host us or private players to fund this debate.”

Moyo is facing trial for allegedly misappropriating over $400 000 of Zimdef funds and Mahiya said he should have his day in court rather than seek protection “from his friends” at the Constitutional Court.

He, however, did not mention any name of Moyo’s “friends”.

Mahiya said war veterans also regarded the succession issue as a fait accompli given Mnangagwa is already VP and have thrown their weight behind him.

Mutsvangwa and his executive have remained defiant that they are Zanu PF members despite their expulsion late last year.

Moyo was, however, unavailable for a comment, as his mobile phone went unanswered.