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WAR veterans yesterday said they were “duty bound” to attend tomorrow’s One Million-Man March and celebrate President Robert Mugabe’s successes as a Statesman and leader of the revolutionary party, Zanu-PF.

The march is being organised by the Zanu-PF Youth League.

This comes as the preparatory committee of the Youth League held its last meeting yesterday with officials saying all was in place for the march.

Addressing journalists in Harare, Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association secretary general Cde Victor Matemadanda said the agenda of the march had been specified to them and there was every reason for them to take part in the event.

“They’ve written to us, inviting us and the purpose has been clearly spelt out,” he said.

“Even if we weren’t invited, if it’s clear that it’s being done for the President, we’re duty bound to attend. People hadn’t been given information and there was a lot of speculation but that has been rectified. We’ve been given information and there’s no doubt it’s in support of the President and we’ve no reason not to attend. We’re going to attend effectively and actively.”

Cde Matemadanda added: “I know there has been a lot of talk regarding the march, its organisation and purpose but we as leadership have said comrades must come. The march isn’t in support of any particular group or in the interest of any group but it’s for the President and him being our patron and Commander-in-chief, we’re obliged to come and support. We’re not only supporting but taking leadership and giving direction on how it should be done. When I say direction, I’m talking about war veterans being elders, the youths are our children and yes, they could have positions but they remain our children. As parents we’ll not necessarily lead but advise.”

He said war veterans with reservations about the event should first attend the march and the national executive would give an explanation later.

“War vets are soldiers and it’s like they’re being called on parade and in the military if there’s a misunderstanding or complain it’s done after the completion of the task. It’s task first, explanation and complaints later,” Cde Matemadanda said.

He said the freedom fighters should use any transport availed for the purposes of the march.

Churches, youth associations and students have also been invited.

Zanu-PF Youth League deputy secretary Cde Kudzai Chipanga yesterday said: “We’ve started erecting tents and we’re urging members to liaise with their provincial offices for transport arrangements.

“We’ve complied with the laws of the land and obtained police clearance while water tanks and mobile tuck shops and toilets will be available at the venue.”

Assembly points have been created from which the youths will march to the venue, the Robert Mugabe Square near Rainbow Towers Hotel.

Masvingo and Mashonaland East will gather at Rufaro Stadium, Manicaland at Raylton Sports Club, Mashonaland West at Kensington Shopping Centre and Mashonaland Central opposite the South African Embassy.

Midlands and Matabeleland provinces will assemble at the National Sports Stadium.

Meanwhile, Zanu-PF youths in Bulawayo are bracing for the one million man march set for Harare tomorrow.

Zanu-PF Bulawayo Youth provincial political commissar Cde Bornface Mutsure said morale is high in the province as everything was falling into place.

“We’re ready to take off for Harare. Buses will collect members from their constituencies and by 4PM tomorrow (today), we’ll be leaving. We’re also being overwhelmed by members who want to travel with us. Yesterday we had over 105,000 registered for the march while others are still showing interest,” said Cde Mutsure.

He urged youths from the province to travel as a unit saying they do not want people to divert from their core business.

In Masvingo, the youth leadership said it had adequately prepared for the much anticipated march.

Seventy buses and 20 commuter omnibuses have been mobilised to ferry members to the important event.

Masvingo Youth chairman Cde Nobert Ndaarombe said war veterans and members of the women’s league from the province would be represented at the march.

“We’ve mobilised 70 buses and 20 kombis to ferry people to Harare for the march and 30 more are coming.

“We’ve about 100,000 people mainly youths, ready to travel to show support for our icon, President Mugabe. Members will be ferried from their respective wards today and by 6AM tomorrow, we would’ve arrived and ready for the march,” said Cde Ndaarombe.

Zanu-PF Matabeleland North Province Youth League acting provincial youth chairperson Cde Wellington Tagarira told The Chronicle they had sourced 18 buses.

He said they were working on securing fuel for the buses as the province plans to depart late in the afternoon today.

“I’m already in Harare trying to coordinate final logistics for the comrades before they arrive,” said Cde Tagarira.