War vets to hold special meeting

Pamela Shumba Chronicle Reporter
THE Bulawayo war veterans’ chapter will on Saturday hold a special meeting in the city as part of preparations for the harmonised elections.
The meeting takes place at the war veterans’ provincial offices in Entumbane suburb at 9am. In an interview yesterday, war veterans Bulawayo provincial secretary for information and publicity, Cde Luke Mpofu, said all freedom fighters in the province were expected to attend.

“The freedom fighters include Zimbabwe National Liberation War Vetarans Association members, Zimbabwe Ex-Prisoners, Detainees and Restrictees, Zimbabwe National Liberation War Collaborators Association and Zimbabwe National Liberation War Recruitees,” said Cde Mpofu.

“The purpose of the conference meeting is to prepare the freedom fighters for the forthcoming elections and to remind one another about the liberation struggle as we emphasise on the importance of voting for Zanu-PF and rallying behind the revolutionary party during the elections.”

Cde Mpofu said all freedom fighters have an obligation to safeguard the country’s independence.

“This meeting is also in preparation for President Mugabe’s visit to Bulawayo before the elections. It is expected that all freedom fighters who feel that it is their obligation to defend and safeguard the gains of Zimbabwe’s independence that was brought through their sweat should attend the meeting.

“Freedom fighters from other provinces, who would happen to be in Bulawayo on Saturday are also free to attend the meeting. The forthcoming harmonised elections are a do-or-die event and this calls for everybody to defend the gains of the liberation struggle.”

Cde Mpofu said their members should fully participate in Zanu-PF campaigns.

“We are on the ground campaigning for the party and working hand in hand with party members and candidates in all the wards to achieve a resounding victory for the party. We are also conducting door-to-door campaigns as we encourage people to vote for Zanu-PF.

“I would also like to call upon all progressive forces to support Zanu-PF candidates and vote for the party on 31 July,” said Cde Mpofu.

He said the association mobilised youths to register to vote and was now encouraging them to vote in their numbers for  Zanu-PF.

“During the voter registration exercise we extensively mobilised youths to register to vote and we are now through with that phase. We are now involving them in our campaigns, together with women and widows making sure they realise that it is their constitutional right to vote and determine their future.

“I foresee resounding victory for Zanu-PF in this election because we have never been better than what we are for some time now,” said Cde Mpofu.