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Mr Christopher Mutsvangwa

Nduduzo Tshuma, Political Editor
THE Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans’ Association (ZNLWVA) yesterday distanced itself from private media reports that the former liberation fighters wanted to form a political party.

In an article quoting a Mr Thomas Chitauro, the private media on Tuesday reported that the war veterans were on the verge of forming a political party.

Mr Chitauro reportedly said they had initially proposed that ZNLWVA chairperson Mr Christopher Mutsvangwa leads the party but he declined.

Addressing a press conference at the ZNLWVA Bulawayo provincial offices in Entumbane suburb, the organisation’s national vice chairman, Mr Headman Moyo, refuted the reports saying the former liberation fighters remained loyal to Zanu-PF and President Mugabe.

Mr Moyo was flanked by ZNLWVA Bulawayo provincial chairperson Cde Cephas Ncube, his Matabeleland South and North counterparts Cdes Section Ncube and Cde Sonnykey Mguni, national executive members Cdes Robert Ndlovu, Zenzo Ncube, Elphas Tshuma, Majaha Ncube and Themba Ncube.

“We want to disassociate ourselves from recent media reports that we want to form a political party. We disown the statement that came out making those claims,” said Mr Moyo.

He said in their last national executive meeting in February, they agreed that Mr Mutsvangwa was the only one who would issue or sanction the issuance of press statements.

“We as ZNLWVA, we fought and agreed to the unity which was signed by our two fathers ubaba u (Dr Joshua) Nkomo lobaba u (President) Mugabe so we will remain within Zanu-PF,” said Mr Moyo.

“We called you here so that we meet as leaders and show direction. We last had a meeting in February and waited for another in April like we did last year, we will meet our President for our great Indaba and we are still waiting because he promised that we will meet every year. We wanted to make our position very clear that we are not in any way involved in the formation of the party being talked about.”

Cde Zenzo Ncube added that there were some rebel elements who want to use the name of war veterans to pursue their narrow selfish interests.

“There is a worrying trend lately that everyone who wants to start some mischief, they use the name of the war veterans. Let it be known that those people are not part of the association led by (ZNLWVA chairperson Mr Chris) Mutsvangwa,” he said.

“We fought for this country and won our independence from the British, we are very happy under the leadership of President Mugabe and would never think of forming a political party because Zanu-PF is our home.”