Zimpapers Logo

Jabulani Sibanda

Nqobile Tshili, Chronicle Correspondent
AXED Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNWLVA) chairman Jabulani Sibanda ducked questions on whether he is part of Joice Mujuru’s Zimbabwe People First at the Bulawayo Press Club on Thursday night.

He was also evasive on his political future saying the media should invite him on a different platform to discuss it.

“Your other question was about Cde Mujuru. You invited me here as Jabulani Sibanda. I confined myself to my statement as a former ZNWLVA chairman. I will like to confine myself to that. But when you want to talk about another party and its leadership you can call me I’m not going to disappoint you,” said Sibanda.

He has been linked to Zimbabwe People First although he appears to have been sidelined when Mujuru launched her party and announced its national structure recently.

However, at the Bulawayo Press Club there was a huge presence of people who are linked to Zimbabwe People First party including former MDC-T MP Albert Mhlanga.

Journalists also asked Sibanda to explain what he meant when he said in late 2014 that there had been a  “bedroom coup” in Zanu-PF.

He refused to explain, saying the matter was in court.  If he did, he said, there was a possibility he could be held in contempt of court proceedings.

“About the bedroom coup I don’t know whether I said that. I don’t remember having said that. The issue is in court and I’m sure you will allow me not to comment on it because it’s in court,” Sibanda said.

He was fired as war veterans’ chairperson and expelled from Zanu-PF after he insinuated that President Robert Mugabe had ceded power to the First Lady Grace Mugabe.