Key Points
- War veterans accuse Mnangagwa’s allies of plotting to extend his rule.
- Government dismisses criticism, calling it hypocrisy and political maneuvering.
- Muswere defends Mnangagwa, highlighting his commitment to war veterans.
War veterans’ recent remarks criticizing purported attempts by President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s supporters to prolong his tenure beyond 2028 have sparked a furious backlash from a faction inside Zimbabwe’s ruling ZANU PF party.
War veterans challenge Mnangagwa’s bid to stay in power
Although a 2024 ZANU PF National People’s Conference resolution, known as “Resolution #1,” supported the notion, Mnangagwa has openly rejected attempts to prolong his leadership, citing constitutional limitations. His supporters, however, are still pushing for him to stay in office by promoting the so-called 2030 plan.
The first to attack Mnangagwa were a group of war veterans under the leadership of Blessed Runesu Geza, a member of the ZANU PF Central Committee and well-known as “Bombshell” due to his outspoken personality. Geza referred to the president as a “failed leader” and threatened to execute him if he did not quit.
Ben Ncube, the organizing secretary of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA), also chastised Mnangagwa after Geza’s remarks. He said that former soldiers were against what he called a ill-conceived plan” to change the Constitution and prolong Mnangagwa’s president past his second and last term.
According to New Zimbabwe, political analysts have conjectured that the two war veterans’ organizations are supporting Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, who is generally regarded as the front-runner to succeed Mnangagwa, because of their audacious position.
However, Information Minister Jenfan Muswere harshly denounced Geza in a nationally televised speech on Tuesday night, calling his comments “unwarranted” and hypocritical.
“We are concerned that these individuals are not using the proper party structures to air their grievances, despite claiming to be legitimate war veterans and members of the ruling party,” Muswere stated.
It is unexpected that he is abandoning a resolution he helped draft today. Muswere claimed that his desire to change history stems from his resentment for losing the 2018 primary election.
ZANU PF insists on full support for war veterans
He remarked, “This hypocrisy goes against the basic honesty we expect from genuine war veterans and senior citizens.” “With the establishment of a new ZANU PF War Veterans’ Wing and a dedicated ministry, the Second Republic has made sure that war veterans are acknowledged.”
Additionally, Muswere commended Mnangagwa’s leadership, asserting that since 2017, his administration had finished more than 8,000 development projects.
“The president has strengthened constitutional recognition for war veterans and promoted economic transformation,” he stated.
He continued by saying that the government has made sure former fighters can engage fully in the economy.
