JB Sibanda rubbishes ouster claims

Mashudu Netsianda and Yoliswa Dube Chronicle Reporters
ZIMBABWE National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA) chairman Cde Jabulani Sibanda yesterday dismissed as “hogwash” a call for his resignation made by some elders of the association at a Press conference in Harare on Friday.

The war veteran elders urged Cde Sibanda to resign or risk being pushed out after accusing him of belonging to a counter-revolutionary squad opposed to the entry of the First Lady Umama Grace Mugabe into politics.

The group included Zanu-PF Central Committee member Cde Victor Matemadanda, former ZNLWVA chairman Cde Patrick Nyaruwata, Cde George Matenda and Cde George Mlala.

They told reporters that Cde Sibanda’s time was up, adding that his behaviour showed lack of in-depth combat experience and the peripheral role he played during the liberation struggle.

Cde Sibanda said the Harare Press conference was a non-event.

“This is a rubbish group which can’t be taken seriously. They don’t believe in our association and issues of national interest. I don’t want to waste your ink about this. These are political leeches which mean nothing,” said Cde Sibanda.

“This is nonsense which I don’t even want to waste time talking about. What they said means nothing.”

Addressing journalists in Entumbane yesterday, ZNLWVA’s Bulawayo provincial chairman Cde Japhet Phuti gave their support for Cde Sibanda.

He said:

“There’re some rogue elements masquerading as war veterans elders calling on our leader Cde Jabulani Sibanda to resign. We don’t have such a thing as elders within our structures and as freedom fighters, we’ll not let such things just unfold and keep quiet.”

“No one is inferior or superior in the war veterans’ structures. No one can claim that they’re better than the other. We want to make it clear that Cde Sibanda is our national chairman and we’ll support him all the way despite threats by some rogue elements seeking to pass a vote of no confidence against him.”

Cde Phuti said those calling for Cde Sibanda’s resignation were contravening a section of the ZNLWVA constitution. “If members have a problem with their leaders there’s a proper way of tackling the issue in terms of general provision 214 of our constitution. It clearly states that a motion of a vote of no confidence shall be supported by a majority of members of the appropriate organ,” he said.

Cde Phuti claimed that some of the people clamouring for Cde Sibanda’s ouster were pro-Zapu.

ZNLWVA’s Bulawayo provincial secretary for women’s affairs, Cde Metelia Matuna echoed Cde Phuti’s sentiments saying they were behind Cde Sibanda’s leadership.

He courted the ire of fellow war veterans by not attending the First Lady’s three rallies held in Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South and Bulawayo. He incensed the war veterans further when he refused to be part of the meeting held with the First Lady at her children’s home in Mazowe last week.