But the question is, why has this film not gone viral? Grace also said Mujuru, in 10 years as the VP, had done nothing to improve the lives of women. Strange words, coming from a woman whose husband’s policies obliterated the savings of millions of Zimbabweans, created 90% unemployment and, on his best day, presided over a seven-digit inflation rate.
Christopher Mutsvanga was ‘elected unopposed’ to chair the war veterans association. It is an open secret that ‘elected unopposed’ means an invisible and omniscient hand appointed Mutsvangwa. The former diplomat, whose speeches are anything but diplomatic, dismissed the Jabulani Sibanda leadership as having done little for the war veterans. It remains to be seen whether a wealthy man, who is probably out of touch with the poor, will relate to the needs of the war vets who are continually neglected by Zanu (PF) until such time as it is convenient.
‘You delivered military victory….’ Mutsvanga said to the war vets. ‘You must now deliver economic victory.’
Telling a congregation of impoverished ex combatants that they should ‘deliver economic victory’ is the grandest oxymoron. This week, war veterans have taken turns in reminding us that they fought the war. It is the shadowy group, ‘elders of the war veterans’ – unheard of until a month before congress – that led the protests against Kaukonde.
It is they who publicly called for Rugare Gumbo to be relieved of his job. That we – 13 million people – should live in constant fear and at the whims of a small ageing minority, simply based on their history of firing Kalashnikovs, is tantamount to kidnap. As long as Mugabe and his band of war vets continue to beat us over our collective head with that same tired line – ‘we liberated the country’ – Zimbabweans live in hope for the passing of this generation of oppressors.
Till next week, my pen is capped. Jerà Twitter @JeraZW
Post published in: Mugabe Succession