Mutsvangwa, JB Sibanda in joint rally

Politics
EMBATTLED Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans’ Association chairperson, Chris Mutsvangwa and his predecessor, Jabulani Sibanda yesterday addressed hundreds of war veterans in Bulawayo’s Entumbane suburb.

EMBATTLED Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans’ Association chairperson, Chris Mutsvangwa and his predecessor, Jabulani Sibanda yesterday addressed hundreds of war veterans in Bulawayo’s Entumbane suburb.

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Bulawayo war veterans’ chairman, Cephas Ncube confirmed the meeting, but did not disclose what was discussed.

But sources said both Mutsvangwa and Sibanda spoke about the need for war veterans to remain united.

“The two spoke about the need for the war veterans association to remain independent of any political party and not to be drawn into party political fights,” said one source.

Mutsvangwa was recently suspended from Zanu PF for three years before he was subsequently fired as War Veterans minister.

Sibanda was fired from Zanu PF and as war veterans chairperson in 2014 on allegations of working with former vice-president Joice Mujuru in trying to topple President Robert Mugabe.

He was arrested for allegedly saying Grace had staged a bedroom coup. Mutsvangwa is also accused of insulting the First Lady.

The former fighters have refused to push the ex-minister out of the association’s leadership, saying they will not accept a leader who is imposed on them by anyone.

Mugabe wants to meet the war veterans to discuss their grievances and the infighting in Zanu PF that is blamed on the 92- year-old leader’s succession.