The Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA) says the government should desist from threatening its people and accusing them of carrying out subversive activities.
Responding to questions at the Bulawayo Media Centre on Friday, ZNLWVA chairperson Andreas Ethan Mathibela said the government must stop making “idle threats” against its people but instead, address the issues that are causing citizens to voice their discontent.
Mathibela’s remarks came after the Ministry of Information, Publicity, and Broadcasting Services, Jenfan Muswere, who was the acting Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, on Friday threatened people engaging in “subversive activities” that “their days are numbered.”
Muswere accused the opposition, some politicians, and certain Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) of attempting to “instigate anarchy and despondency.”
However, Mathibela said the government should deal with national issues rather than threaten imaginary enemies. He said (via <a href="https://cite.org.zw/znlwva-to-govt-stop-threatening-citizens-take-action/">CITE</a>):
<blockquote>
We must deal with national issues. A security threat comes as a result of an uneven playing field by the government, where it partially accepts some and admits others as friends while deeming others as enemies.
As long as there’s that kind of subtle division, unity of purpose will not prevail.
</blockquote>
Mathibela said war veterans are not doing anything subversive by demanding accountability from the government. He said:
<blockquote>
Whatever we are doing is open. We invite all, including the security cluster, to attend our meetings because the agenda will be very clear. I trained for many years in security, I know the definition of subversion.
For someone who is not pleased, someone who feels threatened, he or she will deem challenges as subversive. I think that is a misnomer.
We are not threatening the government of this country, even the ruling party or any other political party in this country.
All we are saying is that this country is not doing well economically, politically, and socially, and we want to be part of the solution.
We have even come up with some solutions to collaborate with the government. We wrote many letters.
I recall one to the president (Emmerson Mnangagwa) to say we would want to work with the government. We were not responded to.
</blockquote>
In the statement issued yesterday, Muswere accused unnamed opposition politicians and CSOs of attempting to foment chaos in the country to solicit funds from foreign donors and revive their waning careers. He said:
<blockquote>
… as Government we are warning perpetrators of these serial choreographed theatrics who are involved in subversive activities aimed at undermining the rule of law that their days are numbered and that their lawless plans will never see the light of day.
</blockquote>
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War Veterans Call On Government To Take Action Rather Than Issue Threats To Citizens

A faction of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA) says Vice President Constantino Chiwenga is their preferred successor to President Emmerson Mnangagwa whose second and final term ends in 2028.
This comes amid reports that the ZNLWVA had splintered into several factions as divisions, which mirrors factions within the ruling ZANU PF party.
Andreas Ethan Mathibela, who leads one of the ZNLWVA factions, expressed outrage over comments made by Mnangagwa’s biographer, Eddie Cross, that Chiwenga will never be the President of Zimbabwe.
Speaking in a recent interview with <a href="https://www.thestandard.co.zw/news/article/200027660/war-vets-root-for-chiwenga">The Standard</a>, Mathibela said Chiwenga, as the deputy president, is the right candidate to take over from Mnangagwa. He said:
<blockquote>
We heard a few months ago Eddie Cross saying that the vice president, Constantine Chiwenga will not be able to succeed the president upon the end of his tenure.
The statement came as a surprise to us as war veterans because in the first place, Eddie Cross is an ex-Rhodie and I do not see him anywhere near the geopolitics of this country.
He is not even in the rank and file of the ruling party and we wonder as war veterans where he got the locus standi to make such a declaration.
We wonder where he gets the authority to say that the deputy president of the party, someone who, in terms of hierarchy and constitution of the party, is the right candidate to ascend to the throne, will not ascend when the right time comes.
</blockquote>
Mathibela claimed that Chiwenga has an untainted record and is someone “who has the ability to rule this country.” He said:
<blockquote>
War veterans, and we are sure the same goes for Zimbabweans who are politically conscious, are wondering what exactly underlies these dangerous assertions from a person like Eddie Cross.
Chiwenga is one of our own who fought for this country. He is a decorated soldier, who has the ability to rule this country.
He is someone that we believe has the capacity to end the madness that is happening in this country where people can sabotage an economy at will and walk scot-free.
We believe this madness can be stopped by a trained cadre because that cadre needs to have discipline installed in him at training and we believe Chiwenga has all that.
</blockquote>
He further stated that Chiwenga is not a tribalist, has no scandal, and shuns nepotism, making him the right person to succeed Mnangagwa. Said Mathibela:
<blockquote>
There is nothing amiss about him. He has no scandal and skeletons in his cabinet and he had been, during his time in the army, a straightforward soldier.
We would be very happy under his rule as long as he does not harbour tribal tendencies, nepotism, and all the ills that have bedevilled this country in the past.
He has the passion to see this country in a better place and we believe that no Rhodesian can say anything regarding Chiwenga’s ascendancy to the throne or let alone condemn him as an unfit candidate. Where do those guts come from? We wonder.
</blockquote>
ZANU PF spokesperson Chris Mutsvangwa allegedly leads the other ZNLWVA faction, which supported the coup that toppled the late former President, Robert Mugabe in November 2017.
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War Veterans Association Faction Backs VP Chiwenga

A faction within the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA) has openly criticized ZANU PF members who are allegedly advocating for an amendment to the Constitution to eliminate the presidential term limit.
According to The Standard, on Friday, March 15, police prevented the ZNLWVA from holding a meeting in Bulawayo. The suspicion was that the conveners were perceived as party spoilers.
The meeting was organized by the ZNLWVA, led by Andrease Mathibela. The war veterans’ welfare organisation is closely affiliated with ZANU PF.
Within ZANU PF circles, Mathibela’s leadership is seen as a resistance movement against the broader political plans of President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his faction.
After the ZNLWVA meeting was banned, Mathibela held a press conference in Bulawayo. During this conference, he issued a warning to those advocating for what he termed “dynastic rule” in Zimbabwe. He said:
<blockquote>
On March 16 and 17, 2013, Zimbabweans en masse voted for a new constitution following the referendum which had a turnout of 95.5% of the electorate.
Unanimous in this constitutional resolve was the irreversibility of the land reform programme and the rationality of the presidential term limit to two five year terms.
…Yet today, we have seen the unceremonious abandonment of the indigenisation laws, which sought to reverse years of colonial injustice and domination by protecting Zimbabwean nationals from future subtle re-colonisation practices and dispossession of our rightful heritage by new colonial masters.
Equally, we have witnessed gross mischief by a few sloganeering misfits, who seek to test the waters by conditioning the population to accept the setting aside of our sacred constitutional provisions, thereby attempting to usher in an open ended dynastic rule for Zimbabwe. “Let them be warned.
</blockquote>
Matibela also criticized the police for disrupting their planned meeting.
Reports indicate that within ZANU PF, there is growing support for Mnangagwa’s bid for a third term but the move faces legal hurdles due to constitutional restrictions.
Section 91 of the constitution outlines qualifications for presidential candidates. It explicitly states that an individual is disqualified if they have already held the office of President for two terms, regardless of whether those terms were continuous or not.
Section 328 (7) of the constitution further restricts incumbents from benefiting from any constitutional amendment that extends the length of time in office.
In other words, even if ZANU PF manages to amend the constitution, Mnangagwa, as the incumbent, would not benefit from such an extension.
The legal precedent set by the case of Mupungu v Minister of Justice and others (CCZ07/21) sheds light on this matter.
In that case, the court ruled that prescribed term limits cannot be extended to apply to sitting incumbents without contravening section 328 (8) of the constitution.
Therefore, any amendment allowing third terms would not apply to Mnangagwa during his current tenure.
Mnangagwa controversially won the presidential elections in 2018, serving his first term until 2023. He is currently in his second term, which is set to expire in 2028.
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No Dynastic Rule In Zimbabwe, Say War Veterans

Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Affairs minister Christopher Mutsvangwa said that he remains the legitimate chairman of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA), a ZANU PF affiliate, <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200022100/fire-in-war-vets-cockpit">reported NewsDay</a>.
This comes after a group of war veterans led by Andrease Ethan Mathibela declared that Mutsvangwa ceased to be chairman of the ZNLWVA in November 2019 when his first five-year tenure had come to an end.
Addressing the media in Harare on Friday, Mutsvangwa said the ZNLWVA will hold a congress soon to elect a new leadership. He said:
<blockquote>
I want to add something concerning my ministry and my organisation the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association where I am the chairperson.
We are going to have a congress as soon as our President Emmerson Mnangagwa is back on leave, who is our patron.
We see an effort by the Johnny-come-lately; they want to snatch our name, so why can’t they start their own thing?
We are seeing some people who are impostors saying they are from the ZNLWVA.
ZANU PF is our DNA as war veterans and we want to thank President Emmerson Mnangagwa for restoring our ministry.
</blockquote>
However, in a Press statement over the weekend, the splinter group, led by Mathibela, said Mutsvangwa’s tenure had expired. It said:
<blockquote>
It is important to note that Ambassador Mutsvangwa ceased to be chairman of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA) on November 5, 2019, as his first five-year tenure had come to an end.
Therefore, any statements or actions taken by him after that date are not representative of the official position of ZNLWVA.
On October 7, 2023, an extraordinary congress was held during which a new executive, led by Andrease Ethan Mathibela was elected into office.
This new executive is currently responsible for leading ZNLWVA and making decisions on behalf of the association. 
Any information or statements concerning the ZNLWVA should be sought from the current executive.
</blockquote>
ZANU PF information director Farai Marapira told NewsDay that ZNLWVA was an affiliate of the ruling party and dismissed reports that the organisation was divided. He said:
<blockquote>
War veterans are an affiliate of ZANU PF, there are just a few who have joined a former Rhodesian soldier who has not repented and this cannot cause division in ZANU PF because of someone who is simply lost.
</blockquote>
The ZNLWVA was formed to represent and advocate for the welfare and rights of veterans of the country’s struggle for independence.
Since its formation in 1990, ZNLWVA has been influential in Zimbabwean politics and has historically supported ZANU-PF.
It has played a significant role in the country’s political landscape, including mobilising support for the ruling party and participating in election campaigns.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

I'm In Charge Of War Veterans Association - Mutsvangwa

The newly elected leader of <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Zimbabwe_National_Liberation_War_Veterans_Association/">Zimbabwe’s National Liberation War Veterans Association</a> (ZNLWVA), Andrease Mathibela, expressed concerns about the welfare of ex-combatants, stating that it is worse than before President Mnangagwa rose to power in 2017.
Mathibela pledged to engage President Emmerson Mnangagwa on this issue. Mathibela criticised how the sacrifices made during Zimbabwe’s war for liberation were being disrespected, with only a few benefiting from the country’s wealth. He made these remarks while addressing former freedom fighters who lost their land in the Emmergroon estate, which was divided and allocated to ZANU PF’s youths. NewZimbabwe quotes him as saying:
<blockquote>
The two main reasons why we went to war was to attain both political and economic freedoms. As war veterans, we are no longer respected. Our lives our now worse and at times you really ask yourself why you went to war?
The wealth of this country is being enjoyed by only a few people.
Our wish is to have farms with title deeds. War Veterans should not be villagers who stay in areas that were reserved for black people during the colonial era.
If they want to stay there, let it be by choice. We want all war veterans to at least own an A2 farm. We are planning to engage Mnangagwa over our welfare.
</blockquote>
Mathibela said he had started a fact-finding mission to understand the cause of the conflict.
In 2001, the government assigned wildlife conservancies in the Emmergroon estate located along the Bulawayo – Victoria Falls highway to A1 farmers, including war veterans. These farmers were also given communal land for cattle grazing and smallholder farming. However, a dispute within the ruling party led to the allocation of the 140 plots to the youths by ZANU PF Provincial Chairperson Richard Moyo, who is also the Minister of State for Matabeleland North.
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