Mutsvangwa, who is also the junior minister of foreign affairs, was elected leader of the association at a congress held at the Great Zimbabwe two weeks ago, in which less than 500 former freedom fighters participated.
Some war veterans in Masvingo said they still considered ousted chairman Jabulani Sibanda as their leader and urged Mutsvangwa to step down and pave way for free and fair elections. A spokesman y identified as Robert Ropa said not all war veterans were invited to participate in the elections, and claimed that those who did participate were chosen along factional lines.
He also said proper procedures were not followed when Sibanda was outset, as two thirds majority was required to pass the vote of no confidence.
“We cannot allow a few individuals, some of them with questionable liberation war credentials, to hijack the leadership,” he said. “We view the so-called Great Zimbabwe congress as a non-event. Those elected are illegitimate and we are not going to recognise them,” he added.
“We know all that is happening in the association is as a result of infighting within our party. I urge war veterans to know that the congress will come and go but former freedom fighters will remain,” he said. Mutsvangwa could not be reached for comment.
Post published in: News