admin
Nduduzo Tshuma Senior Political Reporter
ZIMBABWE National War Veterans’ Association chairman Cde Jabulani Sibanda yesterday condemned attacks on Bulawayo provincial chairman Cde Japhet Phuthi by former Ambassador to South Africa Cde Phekelezela Mphoko over the Zanu-PF Vice-Presidency race.War veterans in Bulawayo held a crisis meeting two weeks ago and afterwards Cde Phuthi said they backed Zanu-PF national chairman, Cde Simon Khaya Moyo for the vice-presidency and warned veterans not to be involved in underground campaigns.
Cde Phuthi warned what he termed “renegades”, who were secretly and clandestinely campaigning for the post, saying they were in violation of party principles.
Cde Mphoko, also eyeing the vice-presidency, last Monday hit back at Cde Phuthi saying people should desist from claiming they were Zipra cadres and castigating their seniors.
He said he felt sorry for Cde Phuthi as it seemed he was holding his position by default and was a semi-trained military man who did not understand military structures. Cde Mphoko said Cde Phuthi claimed to be Zipra and had become more Zipra than them who actually formed it questioning his (Phuthi)’s authority to warn war veterans.
Cde Sibanda told Chronicle yesterday that the former Zipra commander should have found a better way of addressing the matter, considering his seniority and the post he was eyeing.
“I have not spoken to either Cde Mphoko or Cde Phuthi, but generally I do not like to comment on such an issue because to me it’s all trash,” said Cde Sibanda.
He said Cde Phuthi was not expressing his personal views on the matter, but was speaking on behalf of an organisation he leads hence he could not understand why Cde Mphoko attacked the person of the Bulawayo provincial war veterans chairperson.
“That was a position from the people and not a position from Cde Phuthi. Cde Phuthi has been a leader for many years and elected by the people. He was not appointed like government officials. When he spoke, he did so on behalf of his constituency.
“I think for a leader like Cde Mphoko and the position that he wants, he could have handled that matter better than he did. He should have called Phuthi to the side and raised whatever issues he had,” said Cde Sibanda.
He added that Cde Mphoko had a right to campaign for the post. “Cde Mphoko has a right to campaign for the post and do so publicly. He should not be bothered by those who campaign secretly and clandestinely.
“If he is campaigning openly, he should not be worried, and besides, as far as I understand, Phuthi did not mention anyone by name.”
Cde Phuthi last week said attacks on him were a result of Cde Mphoko getting ill advice from what he called “desertees of the war veterans association.”
“Those things are not coming from Cde Mphoko. We know his advisors. Some of them we know their history. All that has been said is out of ill advice by a desertee of the war veterans association,” said Cde Phuthi without mentioning names.
“He went on to say I was holding my position by default. I was elected by people. Through ill advice he was told that I am a default chairman. I know who his advisor is.
“If we were to talk about his (advisor) history, he deserted and became a civilian in Zambia. Bring him here and we will tell him that during the Chikerema crisis he deserted the war.”
While Cde Khaya Moyo is the frontrunner in the race for the VP post left vacant following the death of Cde John Nkomo last year, Cde Mphoko has indicated interest.
Home Affairs minister Cde Kembo Mohadi has said he is ready to take up the position if elected while former Zipra chief of staff Cde Ambrose Mutinhiri said he was still consulting on whether or not to contest.
derick.khumalo