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Harare Bureau
WAR veterans in Marondera have postponed a demonstration they intended to stage on Tuesday against Zanu-PF provincial chairperson for Mashonaland East, Cde Ray Kaukonde who has been accused of fanning factionalism in the party and protecting white commercial farmers in the province.

Conveners of the demonstration met police officers on Monday in Marondera where it was agreed the force was incapacitated due to the official opening of the Second Session of the Eighth Parliament by President Mugabe on Tuesday.

War veterans secretary for finance for Marondera district, Cde Patrick Makombe confirmed the development soon after meeting the law enforcement agents.

“We’ve agreed to defer the demonstration to pave way for the issues raised by the ZRP during our meeting,” he said. “We’ve not cancelled the demonstration; we’ll advise you once the issues that the police raised are dealt with. The meeting was quite amicable and some of the issues they raised were pertinent.”

According to a letter written by the police, the war veterans were urged to consider dialogue and to approach the Zanu-PF Politburo member in the area Cde Sydney Sekeramayi to air their grievances.

“Please be kindly advised that the day set for the demonstration coincides with the official opening of Parliament as well as a Politburo meeting to which we are seconding manpower,” read the letter signed by Officer Commanding ZRP Marondera district, Chief Superintendent Karuru.

“Therefore, the police is thin on the ground. Following a discussion between yourself and the Joint Operation Command of the province, it was suggested that there are other ways of forwarding grievances other than a demonstration.”

The demonstration had initially been set for last Friday, but was deferred to allow the war veterans to notify the police in terms of the Public Order and Security Act.

Cde Makombe said the demonstration was against Cde Kaukonde and his ally, Marondera East legislator and provincial secretary for security Cde Jeremiah Chiwetu.

This comes in the wake of heavy criticism of the provincial chairman by First Lady Cde Grace Mugabe during her “Meet the People” rallies that ended last week. She accused Cde Kaukonde of fanning and financing factionalism in the province.

The First Lady repeated the allegations against Cde Kaukonde on Thursday at her Mazowe Home when she met war veterans.