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Nduduzo Tshuma Senior Political Reporter
DEPOSED Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association chairperson Cde Jabulani Sibanda was yesterday disowned by one of his backers who convinced him to campaign for the Zanu-PF national chairperson’s position over statements on First Lady Grace Mugabe.
Former Matabeleland South war veterans chairman Jabulani Phetshu Sibanda who in August said Cde Sibanda should be elevated to the post of Zanu-PF national chairperson at the December elective congress, yesterday said the ZNLWVA national executive should come together with the council of elders and replace the chairperson if need be.
Last Friday, the council of elders expelled Cde Sibanda for alleged indiscipline. Cde Sibanda was accused of various transgressions among them, disrespecting President Mugabe who is patron of the war veterans association and first Lady Grace Mugabe by implying that they had initiated “a bedroom coup’’ on Vice-Pesident Joice Mujuru. Sibanda also threatened to march to State House in a manner similar to the infamous MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai’s planned march to illegally remove the popularly elected Cde Mugabe.
Cde Phetshu Sibanda said after the replacement of Cde Jabulani Sibanda, the war veterans should apply to meet President Mugabe and apologise for Cde Sibanda’s remarks.
He said the various structures in the war veterans association worked tirelessly in the run up to last year’s harmonised elections which were won resoundingly by Zanu-PF and would not allow Cde Sibanda to soil their efforts.
“We ask that the work done by the association shouldn’t be tainted by recent statements from Jabulani Sibanda who is the chairperson,” said Cde Phetshu Sibanda.
“I hope he wasn’t speaking on behalf of the association, it was his view and in future we want that when a leader speaks, they should explain that they’re expressing personal opinions or association’s and people they represent.
Cde Phetshu Sibanda added, “When it comes to the head of state, everyone must respect him. There is no one who supports words that insult the head of the state. We don’t support those statements. Those sentiments came as a surprise to us.
“There’s a structure with authority to suspend Jabulani Sibanda and that structure is the national organ of the war veterans association. It has the right to call Jabulani Sibanda, suspend him and replace him with someone.
“After that, they go to the President and apologise. Some war veterans don’t know what’s happening and those comrades are represented by the national organ. That’s why we’re saying the national executive should convene a meeting and summon their chairman and do what’s right for the war veterans associations.”
Cde Phetshu Sibanda said war veterans in the association are represented by the national organ and do not fall under the council of elders, “but when the council of elders are talking against this (Cde Sibanda’s statements), we fully support them.
“We should however avoid creating two groups. The council of elders should approach the national organ because the national organ has the mandate to suspend or to fire Jabu not the council of elders,” he said.
derick.khumalo