The Chairperson of the Zimbabwe People’s Revolutionary Army War Veterans Trust, Baster Magwizi, in a recent interview with The Zimbabwean bemoaned the fact that the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans
Association, led by Jabulani Sibanda had become “terrorists” while the security chiefs had shifted from their mandate to serve the people.
Zimbabwe’s security chiefs have openly declared their support for Zanu (PF) and vowed to stop an MDC-T rule in the country in defiance of their constitutional mandate which stipulates that they should not be partisan in their conduct of duties.
Jabulani Sibanda has recently been touring various provinces and warning villagers against voting for the MDC-T in the next elections.
“We want peace in Zimbabwe. Those who want war and seek to terrorise the masses should turn their guns into ploughs. How can a freedom fighter be a terrorist, like Jabulani Sibanda is doing? We do not want that. Right now, it seems that war veterans have been denigrated as violent people who do not want development.
“Our generals should know when to talk their politics. Right now, we have a new constitution and they should respect it so that there is no conflict in the country. They had been lost but they should be able to see the light of the day now,” said Magwizi.
“As long as there is peace in the communities, then development can ensue. But as long as there is victimisation of people from whatever sections, then no development can take place,” he added. The ZIPRA War Veterans Trust has launched a Conflict Transformation and Community Healing campaign aimed at promoting peace and tolerance among communities ahead of elections.
“This programme aims to heal people of the wounds of the liberation struggle and other conflicts endured after. We are going to both rural and urban areas telling people that there must be peaceful co-existence between war veterans and the people. “In rural areas, we are working closely with traditional leaders and we do not select because what we want is for the message to get to the people,” said Magwizi.
Post published in: News