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Auxilia Katongomara Chronicle Reporter
WAR Veterans Minister Cde Christopher Mutsvangwa is expected in Bulawayo on Friday for a meeting to address infighting among ex-combatants in the province. The crunch meeting is scheduled to be held at Entumbane war vets office at 2PM. A section of war veterans in Bulawayo has been petitioning Cde
Mutsvangwa calling for the ouster of a new executive led by Cde Cephas Ncube. The clique led by war vets elder Cde George Mlala, alleges the executive was not constitutionally elected. Cde Mutsvangwa endorsed Cde Ncube’s provincial executive.
Bulawayo war vets secretary for information and publicity Cde Japhet Phuthi yesterday told The Chronicle that topping the agenda would be the issue of rifts in the association’s leadership. “The minister would like every war vet, war detainee, restrictee and war collaborator to attend,” said Cde Phuthi. “We expect all members to participate and get first hand information on issues pertaining to their welfare.”
Cde Phuthi warned “divisive elements” against attending the meeting. “The meeting by its nature is for all “freedom-fighters” who fought for this country, fearless and united. Therefore divisive elements within the organisation are not welcome because they derail, all our endeavours,” he said.
Last month, Cde Mlala rapped Cde Mutsvangwa for ignoring concerns raised by war veterans in Bulawayo province. He said the executive, which his group alleges was imposed on the people, was linked to ousted Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association chairman Jabulani Sibanda.
On Saturday, Cde Mlala said the province was failing to move forward as they were going back to the Jabulani era. “The reason why we’re failing is because we’re going back to the Jabulani era. He failed in leadership. The current executive that’s led by Cephas Ncube is full of people who are linked to Joice Mujuru,” he said.
Cde Mutsvangwa, has on several occasions dismissed the Mlala group’s demands saying the elections chapter had been closed until the 2018 elections. He said the behaviour of the war veterans is a form of indiscipline and if they are genuine freedom fighters they should accept that Cde Ncube is the legitimate chairperson of the province.
Online Reporter