Andreas Ethan Mathibela, leader of a faction of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA), has been declared a “person of security interest” by the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO), restricting him from leaving Zimbabwe.
A leaked memo from the President’s Department, dated 19 March 2025, instructed regional immigration officers, including those at the Plumtree, Maitengwe, and Mphoengs border posts, to prevent Mathibela from exiting the country. It reads:
<blockquote>
This office kindly requests that you watchlist the following person of security interest who is a Zimbabwean national: Ethan Mathibela.
Should he present himself at Plumtree, Maitengwe, or Mphoengs Border Posts, your office must deny him exit and inform the President’s Department.
Your usual cooperation is greatly appreciated.
</blockquote>
Mathibela has been vocal in his criticism of President Emmerson Mnangagwa and has also opposed ZANU PF’s plans to extend Mnangagwa’s second and final term from 2028 to 2030.
On Monday, unidentified youths disrupted Mathibela’s press briefing at the Bulawayo Media Centre.
Over the weekend, State Security Minister Lovemore Matuke warned that any demonstrations against Mnangagwa would be “dealt with decisively.” The CIO operates under Matuke’s ministry and is overseen by the Office of the President.

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The leader of a group called War Veterans in Zimbabwe can't leave the country because the intelligence agency thinks he's a security risk. The president's office told border officials to stop him from crossing the border. The leader has criticized the president and doesn't agree with his plans. Some people interrupted his meeting, and the government warned against protesting. The intelligence agency is controlled by the government and keeps an eye on people they think are a threat.

CIO Orders Border Posts To Block War Veterans Leader Andreas Mathibela’s Exit From Zimbabwe

A press conference organised by war veterans at the Bulawayo Media Centre on Monday was disrupted by a group of youths claiming to represent an organization called Youth Connect, in front of journalists and police officers.
The war veterans, who intended to address governance issues and announce a march against corruption, tribalism, and economic decline, accused the youths of being “hired hands” and “state agents” attempting to deny them press freedom.
The veterans stressed that their actions were not partisan but aimed at achieving the political and economic freedom they fought for during the liberation struggle.
The press conference, which was to be addressed by Andreas Ethan Mathibela, leader of a faction of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA), and Buster Magwizi, spokesperson for the ZPRA Veterans Association, was interrupted when the youths claimed to have booked the venue for their meeting.
The war veterans questioned the legitimacy of Youth Connect, accusing them of disrupting their event on behalf of the state. Said Magwizi:
<blockquote>
We came to the press club to address journalists, thinking democracy is there in Zimbabwe, and people are allowed to speak. But if the law enforcers say stop, they should tell us the reason.
We went to war, shed our blood for this country, for you guys to be here today. We are not here to trouble each other. Better for you to kill us, shoot us.
We saw you outside; we know you guys. No-one is quite a secret here. We know that you are state agents. You guys are precipitating violence.
</blockquote>
Mathibela warned the youths that their actions could have serious consequences. He said:
<blockquote>
You could be protected by a clique of individuals, but you are not safe. If it’s like this, then let war start. You’re now going to inherit our shadows. If you don’t kill us, you must know what is coming to you.
</blockquote>
Outside the venue, the situation worsened when one of the youths grabbed Mathibela’s cap. This led to a quick reaction from the crowd, and the youth was quickly restrained and handcuffed by police, who then took him away. Said Mathibela:
<blockquote>
We want proper governance. We have a leadership that is corrupt, nepotic, and tribalist. They have created a dynasty.
We are not insulting anyone; we’re not engaging in partisan politics. We don’t belong to a political party. We’re war veterans.
The reason we went to war was simply to help Zimbabwe attain political and economic freedom.
</blockquote>
During the confrontation, the youths remained defiant, with one of them heckling Mathibela. After the incident, some of the youths were observed receiving US$10 each from some men involved in the disturbance.
More: <a href="https://www.zimlive.com/chaos-as-war-veterans-press-conference-disrupted-by-state-agents/">ZimLive</a>

War veterans were holding a meeting, but a group of young adults interrupted. The veterans wanted to talk about fixing problems in Zimbabwe. They accused the young people of working for the government to stop them. The veterans fought for freedom in the past and want the same for the country now. The situation got worse outside, and the police had to step in. The veterans say they are not trying to cause trouble and just want things to be fair in the country.

War Veterans' Press Event Interrupted At Bulawayo Media Centre

A faction of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA) has called for President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s resignation, despite having over three years remaining in his second and final term, reports <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200038947/war-vets-give-ed-two-week-ultimatum">NewsDay</a>.
The faction’s leader, Andrease Mathibela, said at a press conference in Harare on Friday that they had consulted with Zimbabwean citizens, who agreed that Mnangagwa should step down. Said Mathibela:
<blockquote>
Maybe our presser today is the last. We want to address the elephant in the room as quickly as possible. It may be in a week or two, the pressure will be on.
</blockquote>
Mathibela also said the association fully supported Geza, whom they had sent to the front, describing him as “our rabble-rouser.” He said:
<blockquote>
So obviously, the government is not serious about addressing the crisis (that) it has created itself.
So, when we look, as citizens of this country, when we look at any crisis, we ask: What is the root cause? Then we deal with the root cause.
I am here, on behalf of all veterans and members of the public, ordinary people. We were quiet, while all these other noise makers were trying to be relevant. Guess what? We were busy consulting.
Just like what we did during the liberation struggle. We were working with the masses. We were working with the chiefs.
We were working with the mass media, spirit mediums, I would say. And they have told us, that all veterans, you put your government there, sort it out.
</blockquote>
Mathibela asserted that the masses had expressed the need to hold the government they put in power accountable and demand that Mnangagwa step down. He said:
<blockquote>
That is the challenge they have given us. They say you put this government, you sort it out. And very true, we will definitely sort it out.
I am happy that the nation, at large, which is the suffocating victims of this crisis, has said ‘We will go with you veterans, every step of the way’.
They have told us, in no uncertain circumstances, that this time around, we must lead the onslaught, where the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe must step down immediately.
And we are in agreement. We have reasons which we can explain throughout the night, until the following morning.
</blockquote>
Mathibela also dismissed the US$1.5 million and housing promises made to war veterans by Paul Tungwarara, an investment advisor to Mnangagwa.
He mocked these promises, referring to the houses as “Tungwararas,” and questioned why only war veterans were expected to benefit, while others who contributed to putting Mnangagwa in power were left out.

A group of war veterans wants the President of Zimbabwe, Mnangagwa, to step down. They say the people they talked to agree. The leader of the group says they need to address the problem quickly. The war veterans say they will work with the people to make sure the government is held accountable. They also don't believe promises made to them by an advisor to Mnangagwa. They think everyone who helped the President should benefit, not just war veterans. They want Mnangagwa to resign now.

War Veterans Association Faction Calls On Mnangagwa To Step Down

Andreas Ethan Mathibela, the leader of a faction of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA), has denounced the recent elective congress held by Christopher Mutsvangwa’s faction in Gweru on October 12, calling it a “nullity” and divisive.
The faction held an elective congress in Gweru, which resulted in Mutsvangwa’s defeat, with him receiving only 11 votes.
Instead, Cephas Ncube from Bulawayo was elected as the new chairman with 294 votes, followed by Albert Ncube of Matabeleland North with 90 votes, while Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to Mozambique, Victor Matemadanda, came in third with 75 votes.
Speaking during a press conference at the Bulawayo Media Centre on Tuesday, Mathibela asserted that Mutsvangwa’s faction was composed mainly of ZANU PF War Veterans League members, and not bona fide ZNLWVA members. He said (via <a href="https://cite.org.zw/mathibelas-war-vets-reject-rival-congress-as-invalid/">CITE</a>):
<blockquote>
The Mutsvangwa faction went ahead and conducted a so-called elective congress, which, in my view, was hastily arranged. Almost 100 per cent of those present were ZANU PF War Veterans League, members.
They chose what I would call a puppet executive, obviously against a court order. To me, this congress is a nullity.
There is a court order that prevents splinter groups from usurping the authority of the ZNLWVA as a whole. 
Our organisation, ZNLWVA, is a national organisation that represents over 75 per cent of existing war veterans.
We exist by reason of a constitutional provision of the Constitution of Zimbabwe.
</blockquote>
High Court Judge, Justice Philda Muzofa, ordered the three ZNLWVA factions led by Mathibela, Mutsvangwa, and Elias Marashwa, to reach a consensus on the legitimate leader of the association and report their final decision to the court by October 21, 2024. Said Mathibela:
<blockquote>
We always reiterate our issues pertaining to the three factions before the Zimbabwean courts in Chinhoyi, the learned judge alluded to our squabbling and said it was not worth it and advised us to sit at the table. My so-called faction welcomed that order because it was an order.
We were given that before the 21st of this month (October) we should have sat down and reasoned around the best ways we can work together and I can only speak on behalf of my faction.
We have already sat down and we have reasoned that we are willing to go for the congress. This is the reason in the interest of unity it is not the first time.
Minister of Veterans – Monica Mavhunga, and Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare – July Moyo, represented by Lovemore Matuke, invited us for the same reason, to sit and find a day to do the congress because we represented the same constituency.
Guess what, the Mutsvangwa faction didn’t even attend, they undermined the authority of the government.
Midway, the Marashwa faction walked away, also openly disrespecting the authority of the government.
</blockquote>
Mathibela said his faction remained in the meeting and proposed to rerun the elective congress, stating they wanted to unite veterans rather than remain in “factious deployments.”
He said many wanted him to condemn Mutsvangwa, Mahiya, Matematanda, and Ncube, but said it was more important to address the “elephant in the room.”
Mathibela accused the Mutsvangwa faction of abandoning the interests of war veterans in favour of personal gains, as they are “political appointees” who want to “please their appointer.”
He expressed hope that the factions would eventually come together for an elective congress that represents all war veterans.
Mathibela called for dialogue, urging his counterparts to sit down and work towards a unified congress. He is hopeful that they will agree to hold the elective congress that caters to all war veterans.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

The leader of one group of war veterans in Zimbabwe doesn't agree with another leader's recent election. He thinks it was not fair and caused division. A court has ordered the leaders to agree on who is the real leader by a certain date. The leader who disagrees says he wants to unite all war veterans and have a fair election. He thinks the other leader only cares about their own benefit and not the veterans. He wants everyone to talk and work together to have a fair election for all veterans.

ZNLWVA Faction Leader Mathibela Denounces Mutsvangwa's "Divisive" Elective Congress

A faction of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA) has condemned the government’s recent decision to allow beneficiaries of the land reform programme to sell or transfer their farms.
The ZNLWVA faction, led by Andreas Ethan Mathibela, argued that permitting the sale of land undermines the sacrifices made during the liberation struggle and would only benefit a privileged few, rather than the broader population.
Speaking at a press conference in Bulawayo on Tuesday, Mathibela criticised the government for making this decision without consulting the public through a referendum.
He asserted that the move will primarily benefit the elites while sidelining ordinary Zimbabweans. Said Mathibela (via CITE)::
<blockquote>
I can guarantee you, that the minute that pronouncement was made, the entire nation, war veterans included, were taken aback. Society is saying, “You people didn’t go to war just to acquire land and then sell it”.
Who are we selling it to? What will happen to our future generation when we sell the land that many lives were lost fighting for?
I hope society misunderstood what the government said, but it was live on television when they made the announcement.
The land will not expand beyond the borders of Mozambique, Zambia, Namibia, Botswana, and South Africa. That means once you sell the land, only a few people will hold onto it.
</blockquote>
Mathibela said only a small, privileged group benefitted from the land reform programme while the majority of the veterans of the liberation struggle were left out. He said:
<blockquote>
I can speak on behalf of war veterans—about 75 to 80 per cent have not been allocated land, the very land they fought for, including myself. I don’t even have a piece of land. So, the question is, who owns the land right now?
When you sell land, the buyer is not obligated to engage in agriculture. Some just subdivide it for housing.
Land that was meant for farming is being privatized. People get title deeds and can do whatever they want.
There is a US$3.5 billion compensation bill for former white farmers, yet many of us who fought for this land remain without it. Does that make sense? Personally, it does not.
We must be careful and respect our citizens by consulting them. If we all agree to sell the land, then it’s on all of us, but that decision cannot come from a few individuals.
</blockquote>
Mathibela compared Zimbabwe’s land struggles to international conflicts, like the conflict between Palestine and Israel, where people are fighting for their ancestral land. He argued that Zimbabweans must also fight to retain their fertile land.
Mathibela declared the war veterans’ firm opposition to the sale of land in Zimbabwe. He said the land is God-given and must be utilised by all Zimbabweans, including war veterans adding that they do not support initiatives to sell off land.
Mathibela further stated that as a constituency, they are lining up to apply for land to be productive. 
However, he warned that they are against the selling of land. He argued that if the land they fought for is sold and they can’t access it, it will cause problems.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

War veterans in Zimbabwe are angry because the government wants to let people sell the farms they got in a land reform program. They say this goes against the sacrifices made during the country's liberation struggle. The veterans think only a few rich people will benefit from this, not everyone. They also say many war veterans don't even have land yet. They want the land to stay for everyone to use, including them. They compared their fight to keep the land to other international conflicts. They are against selling the land and want it to be used by all Zimbabweans.

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